Voyager – Automobiles Review

Goodbye, Lancia!

Lancia is going to axe the Delta model later this year. The Italian manufacturer will also remove the Voyager from production sometime in 2015. It other words, Lancia is dying slowly, but for good.

According to a report issued by Bloomberg, Lancia is going to produce only the Ypsilon by 2016. The sales of the Delta are expected to end in the next several months, and the Voyager will share the same faith next year, when Chrysler will stop rebadging cars for Lancia. This strategy didn’t work at all, because last year’s sales went down by 20 %.

“Fiat is not killing Lancia right away because they still want to keep options open and wait until other models reach the market to fill the gap. Lancia could be axed entirely, if Alfa Romeo’s strategy will be a success.” Commented Ian Fletcher, an analyst with IHS in London.

Lately, the small Ypsilon was presented in the new Elefantino trim level, which is priced from just €10,450. The engine range includes a 1.2 liter petrol with 69HP (51 kW) as well as the 0.9 liter Turbo TwinAir with 85HP (62 kW). The 1.3 liter MultiJet diesel has 95HP (70 kW). Other economical variants are a 1.2 liter engine on LPG or a 0.9-liter Turbo TwinAir Methane with 80HP, which costs €16,500.

Source: bloomberg

May 27, 2014

Lancia at Geneva

Lancia will be bringing a touch of luxury and elegance to the 82^nd Geneva Motor Show with six vehicles at their booth. It is a sort of a reincarnation for the company as it has had a glorious history, then a bit of a decline and now it’s back. Highlights deserve the B segment Ypsilon, the flagship Thema, the Voyager MPV and the not yet released Flavia Cabrio.

Lancia Flavia Cabrio

Yes, the Geneva Show will be a debut for the production version of the Flavia Cabrio – For now the setup destined for this convertible is a 175 HP 2.4 l unit mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It will be generously equipped with an electronic stability control system, traction control, ABS (naturally), climate control and much much more in the sole trim package offered, baring the name “all inclusive”. At the show, the Flavia Cabrio segment will be represented by two models: one distinguished by a sophisticated Bright White body with interiors in two-tone black/white fine leather and the other characterized by an exterior Mineral Grey paint with black leather interiors.

Lancia Thema AWD

The Thema AWD is basically a Chrysler 300C underneath but is that a bat thing? It has a clever four-wheel drive system and is driven by an aluminum, 286 HP Pentastar V6 3.6 engine. Throw in an 8-speed automatic transmission developed by ZF and you have yourself a perfectly good executive saloon. What image does the Thema radiate? That is pretty much up to the buyer – the car can be customized with several exclusive products, among which are the 18” and 20” rims and three grilles having different colors and treatments.

Lancia Ypsilon

A refreshed 2012 Ypsilon will also be present there – we are talking about new equipment and styling enhancements. The now 5^th Ypsilon meets the “Blue&Me–TomTomLIVE” and “Smart fuel” system”. Furthermore it has Magic Parking, a 500 W 360° Hi-Fi Music system, Xenon headlights and LED taillights.

As a car and not a Playstation, the Ypsilon will also feature a range of drivetrains which come with TwinAir technology or MultiJet II and Start & Stop. All very green stuff really.

The Ypsilon presentation will also foresee the arriving of the Black&Red trim level in all European markets. Again, we have a wide range of drivetrains – a 69 HP 1.2 Fire EVO II, a 85 HP 0.9 TwinAir and a 95 HP 1.3 Multijet II turbodiesel engine. The Black&Red is targeted to the younger generation which will be enchanted by the 360° Hi-Fi Music system, 15″ alloy rims and the tinted windows. Body colors are said to be four but they are frankly shades of black and red while inside we have one choice…. black and red.

Lancia Voyager

At the show, the Lancia Voyager will get two new trim levels – Silver and Platinum. Two new colors (Cashmere Pearl and True Blue) will also be made available. The Premium one displayed at the boot will boas some Alcantra from the inside and it will harbor a 163 HP 2.8L turbo diesel.

Source: Lancia

February 22, 2012

2012 Lancia Thema and Voyager Accessories

The exclusive accessories of the new Thema and Voyager models are now available. They made their debute at the recent Bologna Motor Show. Created by the Fiat Group Automobiles Parts & Service sector in collaboration with Lancia brand, the products are gathered in two Lancia Lineaccessori catalogues, which available online.

At the Bologna show the public had the opportunity to see a huge range of products offered to customers both at the time they purchase a new vehicle and in the later stages to personalise it with special services and accessories. Furthermore the 2011 Motor Show was the best place for introducing the addition of the Thema and Voyager Owner Handbooks to the “Lancia Everywhere Mobile” service. This application is now available for iPhone, and will also become operational on the Android platform soon.

The two new Lineaccessori are grouped in three different categories – Design, Leisure and Comfort. They harmoniously match up with the “first global flagship” and are in full compliance with their technical, stylistic and mechanical features. The goal is to exalt the winning characteristics of the Thema and to make it a technological perfection combined with Italian Style. To be more precise, the design of the new Lancia Thema can be customised with several products. For example there are 18” and 20” rims and three grilles which are present in different colours and treatments. A highlight here is that the Thema is the only car of its class in Europe which offers the latter feature. At the same time Lancia flagship driver can choose several accessories for his leisure time such as roof rack bars, bicycle racks and the summer box.

2012 Lancia Thema and Voyager Accessories

The benchmark in the segment of large MPVs hiowever is the new Lancia Voyager. It has an impressive size matched by a spacious, refined passenger compartment made from high quality materials. In order to satisfy every individual taste, Lineaccessori offers accesories that emphasize both the elegant design and the ability to enjoy leisure time to the utmost. For instcance there are the 17″ rims, chrome-plated running board and side footboard. Furthermore there is available a brand new product in the segment: an exclusive tent (3×3 metres) that connects with the open tailgate. In addition if the seats of the second and third rows are folded down, the total interior space (tent + passenger compartment) is extraordinary, totalling about 13,000 litres. Of course, the tent can be utilized apart from the vehicle. Eventually, in terms of Comfort and Safety, the Lineaccessori of both models offers a full range of baby one and junior child seats. Moreover there are the additional sun blinds, mats and anti-theft wheel bolts.

Source: Lancia

December 28, 2011

2011 Chrysler Grand Voyager

Chrysler has introduced the new 2011 Grand Voyager.

The people carrier features more premium looking front end, featuring a revised grille, bonnet and lower fascia. It also boasts LED tail lamps, new rear bumper and revised tailgate.

2011 Chrysler Grand Voyager offers comfort for 7 adults, because of the new second row Stow ‘n Go seats, which are larger, more comfortable captain’s chairs and feature a new fold-into-the-floor one-touch mechanism.

The interior boasts a new leather wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel audio controls and cruise control as standard.

As an option, you can order Uconnect Phone bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, auto dimming rear view mirror, AM/FM/CD/DVD radio with a 6.5” touch screen, 30Gb hard disk drive and rear reversing camera. Limited models also receive blind spot monitoring, crosspath detection and new Nappa leather upholstery.
The new Grand Voyager is powered by a 2.8-litre CRD diesel engine with 161BHP (118 kW) at 3800RPM and 360Nm (265 lb-ft) of torque. 0 to 100 km/h in 12.8 seconds and a top speed of 185 km/h (115mph). Still, the car can return 33.6mpg (combined) fuel economy, and has a CO₂ figure of 222g/km.

“The sales figures speak for themselves – the Chrysler Grand Voyager has been a hugely successful story,” commented Nigel Land, brand director, Jeep Chrysler UK.

“This latest list of features and enhancements will further increase the desirability of this powerful, versatile and luxurious vehicle.”, he finished.

2011 Chrysler Grand Voyager price list:

LX	£27,995
Touring	£29,995
Limited	£35,995

Source: Chrysler

July 7, 2011

Chrysler Introduces Special Edition Grand Voyager

Chrysler UK Ltd is pleased to introduce a special edition model to its successful Grand Voyager range.

Celebrating 25 years as the world’s best selling MPV, and with over 12 million vehicles sold worldwide, the Grand Voyager special edition comes with significant amounts of extra interior and exterior equipment that help makes the award winning vehicle even better value for money. (more…)

May 7, 2009

Chrysler Celebrates 25 Years Of The World’s First And Favourite MPV

Chrysler is celebrating a quarter-century of MPV innovation, on-going development and leadership since launching the world’s first MPV. The year was 1983. The Internet was created, and the first mobile phones were introduced to the public, U.S. astronauts completed the first space shuttle spacewalk; and Dallas was the most popular programme on TV …… and Chrysler hit a home run with the introduction of the world’s first MPV.

On November 2, 1983, the first MPV rolled down the assembly line in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The launch of Chrysler’s MPV in 1983 created an all-new vehicle segment and was an instant success.

As the MPV became a cultural icon throughout North America in the 1980s, its introduction to the international markets helped establish and solidify the Chrysler brand worldwide. It was in 1987 that Chrysler’s new MPV began sales in Europe.

Diesel-powered MPVs were introduced in 1993, aimed at further strengthening the presence of Chrysler MPVs in Europe. In 1996, the Company offered right-hand-drive versions, opening up sales opportunities in markets such as the UK, Japan, Australia and South Africa. Since then more than 53,000 versions have been sold to date in the UK alone.

Chrysler Grand Voyager

Chrysler defined the ‘family room on wheels concept’ in 1983. In 2008, Chrysler has taken this concept to a new level.

The newest, fifth-generation of Chrysler MPVs – The Grand Voyager, launched in March 2008 – encapsulates more than 65 MPV-first features and more than 25 years of development. The latest generation offers more than 35 new or improved features over the previous generation including: dual-screen DVD entertainment system that can play different media simultaneously on two screens; ambient halo lighting package with directional LED pinpoint lights; removable and rechargeable LED flashlight; a six-speed automatic transmission; stain repelling seat fabric. Not forgetting Chrysler’s unique, renowned and innovative Stow ‘n Go® seating and storage system.

Other new innovations include Chrysler’s Swivel ‘n Go™ seating system which allow the two second row seats to be rotated 180 degrees to face the third row of seats so rear passengers can chat face to face; three-zone climate control for ultimate comfort; power windows for all three rows of passengers; and standard power sliding side doors and tailgate.

Improved active and passive safety features have also been introduced: next generation, multistage front airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and supplemental front seat-mounted side thorax airbags. Additionally, electronic stability programme (ESP), panic brake assist, all-speed traction control and anti-lock brakes all become standard across the entire range.

Federico Goretti, Managing Director of Chrysler UK Ltd, said: “The Grand Voyager is a firm favourite in the UK and the latest model has all the right ingredients to make it the most successful Chrysler ever. It has an unrivalled blend of luxury, equipment, comfort, versatility, performance and load-carrying capacity at a very competitive price – offering customers a hassle-free motoring package.”

UK models have a six-speed automatic transmission and either a 2.8-litre diesel engine or a 3.8 V6 petrol engine. There are three trim levels – LX, Touring and Limited. Prices start from £25,456.49 OTR.

In the first 25 years, Chrysler has sold more than 12 million MPVs – more than any other manufacturer in the world and have claimed over 260 awards – including 2008 “MPV of the Year” and “International Truck of the Year” by the International Car of the Year organisation – Chrysler MPVs are continuing to make history.

December 12, 2008