Car News Articles

• Looks like: A European hatchback
• Defining characteristics: Chrysler name on the grille
• Ridiculous features: An interior that’s clearly not designed for America
• Chance of being mass-produced: It sells in Europe, U.S. not likely

Sitting all alone on the Detroit auto show’s floor with no press attention and no spotlights is this Chrysler. The name emblazoned on the dash and sills, Delta, are the only signs that this is the Lancia Delta with a Chrysler grille and emblem added on.

Lancia is a brand owned by the Fiat Group, which now owns Chrysler along with American taxpayers.

A Chrysler spokesperson says it’s not a concept car and there’s no production intent for the U.S. The showcar simply illustrates how future Fiat and Chrysler products could easily share styling and powertrains.

We’ll say easy. The only difference between this and the Delta sold in Russia, Turkey and the U.K. is the grille and Chrysler’s name on the back end. Surprisingly, the exterior design fits well within the current state of Chrysler products and easily outshines most of what’s on dealer lots right now. The interior looks a little disjointed for American tastes, however.

While there are a number of engines for the Delta overseas, it would likely get one of the new four- or six-cylinder engines Chrysler unveiled last week.

Would a Chrysler Delta sell in the U.S.? That’s unclear because it’s a premium car overseas but has relatively midsize dimensions and interior room. Chrysler had problems selling itself as an upscale domestic brand in the past with a Celine Dion-backed marketing campaign around cars like the Crossfire. Are times that different?

Check out more photos below.