Lancia Delta Integrale HF Integrale Evoluzione II

Lancia Delta Integrale HF Integrale Evoluzione II

The Lancia Delta HF Integrale is the most dominant rally car in history. Between 1987 and 1992, it won six consecutive World Rally Championship Manufacturers' titles — a record that has never been matched. It was the car that defined an era of rallying and became one of the most desirable performance cars of the late 20th century.

The story begins with the humble Lancia Delta hatchback, designed by Giugiaro. Lancia's competition department, under the guidance of Cesare Fiorio and later Claudio Lombardi, transformed this family car into a rally weapon. The HF 4WD (1986) added four-wheel drive; the HF Integrale (1987) widened the arches and added the 2.0-liter 16-valve turbo engine; and the Evoluzione (1991) widened the arches further and added a larger turbocharger.

The Evo II (1993-1994) was the ultimate road-going version — 215 hp, Torsen center differential, 16-inch wheels filling those impossibly wide arches, and a catalytic converter to meet emissions regulations. In rally trim, the Integrale made over 300 hp and was driven by legends: Miki Biasion, Juha Kankkunen, Didier Auriol, and Carlos Sainz.

The Integrale's appeal transcended its WRC success. On the road, it was an intoxicating machine. The turbocharged 2.0-liter pulled hard from 3,000 RPM, the all-wheel-drive system provided stunning traction, and the wide-body stance gave it a presence far beyond its compact dimensions. The steering was heavy at parking speeds but beautifully communicative on the move.

The Integrale was never officially sold in the United States, making it a European-only icon. Italian market cars are the most common, but UK-spec right-hand-drive cars also exist. Prices have risen dramatically as the Integrale's significance has become fully recognized.