The Delta story was missing a chapter. An epilogue that “had been written, but had not been published,” says Miki Biasion, who today, almost thirty years later, wanted to create a limited edition inspired by the Lancia Delta Integrale designed in 1994, but never entered production. Yes, even the production Delta is bread for the teeth of Biasion, who on the Group A version won the World Rally Championship in 88 and ’89: “Every racing department was trying to get updates on the production models in order to be able to use them in the race. »Explains Biasion. «And so every year the Delta Integrale evolved», winning six consecutive World Constructors’ Championships, from 1987 to 1992.
A Miki Biasion, the spark is triggered during a celebration for the 40 years of the model, in Turin, two years ago. “An engineer told me that in 1994 he had designed a further update of the Delta, wider, more aggressive, more evolved. This “Super Super Delta”, however, was produced in a single test example because it did not have the ok from Fiat. I told him I would like to work on it and I collected information and technical drawings ».
Thus, from a project that has remained on paper for decades, Delta Evo Martini Racing was born. “A young body in a period dress,” sums up Biasion. The starting cars are Delta Integrale of ’92 or ’93: of these only the body (reinforced and soundproofed), the engine block and the gearbox and differential boxes remain. Everything else is new, but made on vintage designs. “The Delta must remain what it was. But I wanted to bring the technology that was then reserved for racing cars to a road car ».
To do this, Biasion has improved the quality of the suspension (pneumatic of the latest generation), of the tires (Michelin), of the braking system (Brembo) and of the optical groups. «These are elements that increase safety without altering the machine setting». The engine also follows the specifications of the original one “but we have built the parts with lighter materials, so that with the same consumption it guarantees better performance”. The power is 220 hp, unless you press the “magic” button which, by acting on the electronics, takes it over 300 hp.
But that’s not enough. Biasion has transformed the interior thanks to seats with Sparco carbon shells and luxury materials such as Alcantara and Frau leather. A supercar cabin, very different from that of the original Delta. “Each customer will choose his own customizations, they will all be unique pieces,” he says.
This nice toy should cost around 300,000 euros, but a lot will depend on customer requests and how many collectors come forward. “Four examples are already sold: two in Italy, one in the United Kingdom and one in Japan,” says Biasion, who does not rule out auctioning the remaining four. “The agreement with Martini is for eight cars and we can’t produce more than three a year,” explains Biasion when asked if he plans to expand production. Which at the moment is strictly artisanal: the hands are those of the four mechanics of Italiamotorsport in Codroipo (Udine). The first units should be ready for the Auto Moto d’Epoca show in Verona in October.
“In this car I have put all the experience I have accumulated over the years as a Lancia driver,” says Biasion, known for his skills as a test driver and developer, in particular for the suspension. “My goal was to build a road Delta that offered the thrills of a 90s rally car.” And no one knows what he is talking about better than him.
