Lancia is getting ready for its 115th anniversary on November 27, and what a better way of celebrating it than confirming that it will revive the iconic Delta nameplate. Luca Napolitano, Lancia’s CEO, admitted that everyone wants the Delta back, stating that it couldn’t be missing from their future plans.

Speaking to Corriere Della Sera, Luca Napolitano confirmed the return of the compact model saying: “It will return and it will be a true Delta – an exciting car, a manifesto of progress and technology, and obviously it will be electric”.

Read Also: What We Know And Hope For The Lancia Delta’s Revival

This illustration of the Lancia Delta was created by Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for CarScoops. It is a speculative drawing, not related to or endorsed by Lancia.

The fully electric compact hatchback will most likely be based on STLA Medium architecture, which will be shared among C- and D-Segment vehicles of the Stellantis Group. This could allow up to 700 km (410 miles) of range. It is also capable of FWD, RWD, or AWD setups, with electric motors producing anywhere between 168-241 hp (125-180 kW / 170-245 PS).

As a reminder, Lancia has produced three generations of Delta, with the first one (1979-1994) being an iconic vehicle for the brand and one of the most successful nameplates in rallying. The less popular second generation was sold between 1993 and 1999, while the third and last generation was offered between 2008 and 2014.

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The electric return of the Delta was rumored since Lancia announced their new product plan that included a new-generation Ypsilon supermini in 2024, followed by a fully electric crossover in 2026 and a compact electric hatch the next year.

Beyond the Delta, Luca Napolitano also touched on the Ypsilon’s replacement. The brand’s boss said it is the second best-selling car in Italy behind the Panda, and that women tend to prefer it. However, he added that “Now is the time to look to the future from a different perspective” stating that their new target group will be males with a higher average age describing them as “modern European clients”.

Napolitano added that the future of Lancia will be focused on small, medium-compact, and flagship vehicles, segments that the company excelled in the past. The goal is to bring innovation in design and technology, but also stay true to Lancia’s history.

The dealer network will be created in collaboration with Alfa Romeo and DS premium Stellantis brands, starting from the major European cities. Instead of having traditional one-brand dealerships, Lancia will be focusing on selling cars online.

Illustration credits Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for CarScoops