Lancia recently teased a coupe-looking model, waiting to be unveiled in their Multiverse. Could this then, signify the return of a historic moniker like the Stratos to the struggling automaker?
#MakeLanciaGreatAgain – a social media phrase that has been making the rounds for the better part of a decade. World Rally Championship titles, Formula 1 single-seat winners and some other gems in between. The Italian automaker litters dates in history and motorsport, with some truly revolutionary ideas and models that aided their bid to become one of the most successful motorsport manufacturers of all time. But that is all in the past. Lancia now contends sole markets with a platform-shared model but there have been ambitious plans under Stellantis ownership to kick-start the automaker and make them great again… words that delight so many enthusiasts and aficionados.
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What better way to do this than by riding the appeal of their eternal motorsport success? While we know that a Ypsilon replacement will arrive next year with a flagship model expected by 2026 and a Delta EV planned to go on sale by 2028, Lancia has quietly teased a slender-looking model, virtually. This has been done because Lancia has been named the Official Metaverse Automotive Brand of the 2023 Metaverse Fashion Week which kicked off on the 28th and will run until the 31st of March.
“I am proud to announce that Lancia will be the Official Metaverse Automotive Brand of the 2023 Metaverse Fashion Week. Thanks to the participation at this exclusive and world-famous virtual event, Lancia will enter into the Metaverse.” stated Raffaele Russo, Managing Director of Lancia Italia.
What is seen here is a virtual rendition of the Via Gattamelata showroom in Milan. The showroom was the first step on the way to the implementation of Lancia’s new Corporate Identity which will take the automaker into the new age and into other European countries outside of Italy. For now, Lancia is preparing to expand outside of their native country by having 70 showrooms in 70 important cities throughout Europe within the next several years. Along with it are these images that demonstrate a sleek-looking silhouette that could potentially be the rebirth of a glorious nameplate like the Stratos or Fulvia. Unfortunately, even in the virtual world, the Lancia will not be revealed during the 2023 Metaverse Fashion Week but rather on the 15th of April.
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What we know for certain is that Stellantis plans on evolving Lancia into an EV-only manufacturer by 2028, which means that this unrevealed coupe or sports car could be one last hoorah for the Italian automaker, honouring its great petrol and turbo-powered legacy! Being under the Stellantis umbrella, there is a high possibility that whatever lies under those virtual coverings will share a platform with one of its stable mates, potentially even the superlative Giorgio platform of the Giulia if it is intended to be a sporty offering. Time will tell, stay tuned on the 15th of April.
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