Lancia Delta news - Delta spread - 2008

The Lancia Delta is back. Not only is it back, but it's coming back to Britain. And not only is it back and coming back to Britain, it's also a bit funny-looking.

Perhaps that's a bit unfair. You can make up your own mind on the looks, but it's certainly an, erm, unmissable face. Then again, the original Delta - at least in non-Integrale form - was hardly a looker, either.

Set to arrive in the UK at the end of this year through Alfa dealerships, the Delta sits on the same platform as the Fiat Bravo.

At 450cm long, it's significantly bigger than the Focus/Golf hatch crowd - Lancia describes it as a 'hatchback saloon', which we don't quite understand. Maybe they mean hatchback estate.

Lancia is talking up the Delta's 'premium' features - it has the option of a massive panoramic sunroof, posh leather interior and a tilting rear bench. We're not sure why that's premium, but it's certainly a nice touch.

It'll launch with the choice of two petrol engines - 120bhp and 150bhp 1.4-litre TurboJets - and a 120bhp 1.6-litre diesel, all mated to six-speed manual, automatic or 'robotised' boxes. Later, we'll see two higher powered diesel units and a 200bhp petrol engine.

There's no official word yet on a properly hot 'Integrale' version, but insiders say that Lancia is keen to cash in on the cache of the name, so we're keeping our fingers crossed. Even the most dubious face can be saved with a 300bhp turbo-nutter engine and four-wheel diff fun, we reckon. Just ask the Impreza.