The Lancia Dedra (Type 835) is a compact executive car produced by the Italian automaker Lancia from 1989 to 1999. It was initially designed to support, and later to replace, the Prisma that, six years after its launch, was having difficulty remaining competitive 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.
History
The task of the Dedra was demanding: it had to continue the legacy of the 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.
Pre-facelift Lancia Dedra Berlina rearDashboard of first facelift
In order to help the Fiat Group achieve economies of scale, the Dedra was based on the Fiat Type Three platform. This single floorpan thus formed the basis for three different cars with three different themes: elegance for the Lancia Dedra (1989), convenience at a competitive price for the large-booted Fiat Tempra (1990), and sportsmanship for the Alfa Romeo 155 (1992).
In 1991, the Dedra Integrale was launched. It used a similar engine and transmission to the Delta Integrale 8v. The Delta Integrale 8v engine is one of the world's most competition proven power units, a 2-litre four-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 169 PS (124 kW) in the catalyzed version. The Dedra Integrale was also fitted with the new Visco Drive 2000 traction control system, as well as the electronically controlled suspension which was available as option in the 2.0 and upper versions. The equipment was largely equivalent to that of the Dedra LX, with some modifications such as more bolstered seats and a sporty steering wheel. The Integrale retained a front-wheel bias, with 56 percent of the power going to the front axle.[7] The Integrale was equipped with a standard rear spoiler for improved high-speed stability.
A two-wheel drive version with the turbocharged engine (Dedra 2000 turbo) was released simultaneously with the Integrale; it had slightly less power so as to not overwhelm the chassis. This version also benefitted from the Visco Drive 2000 system, a necessity to avoid wheelspin.[7] Aside from being lighter, the front-wheel drive turbo was also somewhat lower. The Integrale's spoiler was an option on the turbo.[7]
Rear of Lancia Dedra SW 1.6 (Portugal)
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 right hand drive markets a year later. The car, from 1994 also sold as a station wagon which was developed by French coachbuilders Heuliez, remained popular on the Italian market until it was replaced by the all-new Lybra in 1999.
A total of 418,084 Dedras were manufactured during its commercial life.
Summary
January 89: Production begun
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 2000 turbo 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 anti theft 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.
Versions
The Dedra had some revisions. The first was in 1992, to adapt the engine, resizing the features and introducing the turbo and Integrale versions. The second was between 1994 and 1998, which featured the introduction of the Station Wagon and the DOHC 16V engine.
In October 2013, Top Gear magazine placed the Dedra on its list of "The 13 worst cars of the last 20 years.", not because of the car itself, which they consider average, but as a depiction of the loss of spirit in Lancia cars after the takeover by Fiat.[9]
Concept cars
IAD Magia
In 1992, IAD Studio presented its Magia prototype based on a Dedra Integrale rolling chassis. It was a four-seat coupé that was finished in bright orange and had a distinctive wedge shape that combined soft lines and aggressive details. It was designed by Michael Ani and Chris Garfield of IAD.[10]
^ abcKjellström, PeO (1991-01-24). "På rätt väg - mot bättre kvalitet och mot Sverige" [On the right path - towards improved quality and headed for Sweden]. Teknikens Värld (in Swedish). Vol. 43, no. 2. Stockholm, Sweden: Specialtidningsförlaget AB. p. 13.
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