Lancia Dedra

Lancia Dedra
Overview
Manufacturer	Lancia
Production	1989–2000 418,084 built[1]
Assembly	Chivasso, Italy Rivalta, Italy[1]
Designer	Ercole Spada[2] at I.DE.A Institute[3]
Body and chassis
Class	Large family car (D)
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout / AWD
Platform	Fiat Type Three (Tipo Tre) platform[4]
Related	Lancia Delta Fiat Tempra Alfa Romeo 155 Fiat Tipo
Powertrain
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic[3]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,540 mm (100.0 in)
Length	4,340 mm (170.9 in)[5] 4343 mm (SW)[6]
Width	1,700 mm (66.9 in)
Height	1,430 mm (56.3 in)[5] 1,446 mm (56.9 in) (SW)[6]
Curb weight	1,060 kg (2,337 lb)-1,330 kg (2,932 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Lancia Prisma
Successor	Lancia Lybra

The Lancia Dedra (Type 835) is a compact executive car produced by the Italian automaker Lancia from 1989 to 2000. It was initially designed to support, and later to replace, the Prisma that, six years after its launch, was having difficulties to keep in pace with its latest opponents. It can be considered as the saloon version of the second generation Delta, that was launched four years later, in 1993.

The task of the Dedra was demanding: it must gather the legacy of Prisma, which relaunched the Lancia brand in the field of compact executive cars, and expand its market share if possible. Larger than its predecessor, the Dedra was presented as the second flagship car of Lancia, as a car that could satisfy those looking for an elegant medium-sized sedan but did not want to buy an executive car, as the Thema.

The design, by Ercole Spada of the I.DE.A Institute, produced an excellent drag coefficient of only 0.29. The core of the product was prestige, exclusivity, personality and comfort, achieved through a high level of equipment and use of materials (e.g. Alcantara) as well as details such as special paints, alloy wheels and an attention to soundproofing, ventilation and other issues. Inside the ability to obtain the perfect driving position was helped by the adjustable seats, steering wheel and electrically adjustable mirrors. Safety, both passive with a structure designed to minimize injury in an accident, and active, such as ABS and airbag, was also near the top of the Dedra's agenda.

It was based on the Fiat Tipo-floorpan, because the idea of Fiat Group at the end of the 80s was to achieve, from a single floorpan (for reasons of economies of scale), four different cars from the same base: good value for money for the Fiat Tipo (1988), elegance for Lancia Dedra 1989, convenience at a competitive price for the Fiat Tempra (1990) (with its large boot) and sportsmanship for the Alfa Romeo 155 (1992). Also were designed on the same floorpan the Lancia Delta and the Fiat Coupe.

In 1991 was launched the Dedra Integrale. It used the same engine and transmission that the Delta Integrale 8v. The Delta Integrale 8v engine is one of the world's most competition proven power units, a 2-litre 4-cylinder fuel injected twin cam engine, fitted with contra-rotating balancing shafts, and a Garrett T3 turbocharger and associated inter-cooler to aid volumetric efficiency that boost power output to 171 PS (127 kW) in catalyzed version. The Dedra Integrale also uses the same permanent 4-wheel drive of the Delta Integrale, and includes the new Visco Drive 2000 traction control system. Also includes the electronically controlled suspension available as option in the 2.0 and upper versions.

When the Dedra was launched, it was a good time for Lancia: The Thema had been facelifted a year earlier, and despite being on the market for five years was selling well, the Delta (1979), thanks its continued success in competition was living a second youth, and the Y10 had a slight restyling and good sales. However, the Dedra was not a strong success outside Italy. A major facelift in 1993 did little to boost the car's sales success and the whole Lancia range including the Dedra was withdrawn from RHD markets a year later. The car, after 1993 also sold as a station wagon, remained popular on the Italian market until it was replaced by the all-new Lybra at the end of the 90s.

A total of 418,084 Dedras were manufactured during its commercial life.

History

• April 89: Official launch (1.6 L, 1.8 L, 2.0 L and 1.9 L tds versions).
• May 91: Launch of Integrale and 2.0 L turbocharger versions.
• May 92: Launch of automatic version.
• October 92: First facelift.
• January 93: Enhancement of security equipment.
• July 94: Launch of second version, with new engines, station wagon version and other minor enhancements.
• January 95: Included antitheft device.
• November 95: Second facelift.
• February 96: 2.0 L engine was replaced by 1.8 L 16 V.
• January 97: New 2.0 L 16 V Integrale version.
• May 97: New interiors.
• July 97: New 1.8 L 113 PS (83 kW; 111 hp) engine.
• December 97: Launch of third version, with new engines, new frontal, new door and other minor enhancements.
• January 00: End of production.

Engines

Performance

Petrol

Diesel

Reception

In October 2013, Top Gear magazine placed the Dedra on its list of "The 13 worst cars of the last 20 years."^[7]

Gallery

• 

  Lancia Dedra side view

• 

  Lancia Dedra rear view

• 

  Lancia Dedra Station Wagon front view

• 

  Lancia Dedra Station Wagon rear view

• 

  1.9 TD Engine

• 

  Dashboard of first facelit

• 

  Front seats of basic trim version

• 

  Rear seats of basic trim version

See also

• Fiat SOHC engine
• Fiat Twin Cam engine

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lancia Dedra.

• 1990 Advertisement
• Lancia Dedra Review by the Automobile Association
• Lancia Dedra: Retrospective (Italian)