Lancia Fulvia concept (2003). The great regret of the boss of Renault

The Lancia Fulvia almost came back to life in 2003 with this coupe.

As Lancia prepares for its revival, we take a look back at the failed project for a 21st century Fulvia. This was worn among others by Luca de Meo, current CEO of Renault, who considers his cancellation one of the greatest regrets of his career.

The Stellantis group, born from the merger of PSA and FCA, is officially preparing Lancia’s rebirth as a premium manufacturer. As we announced, the first new model of the brand since the current Ypsilon launched in 2011 will be its replacement in 2024. But some are already imagining the return of icons such as the Delta or the Fulvia. And the latter had come very close to knowing a new generation, almost twenty years ago.

Lancia Fulvia Coupé static concept — The Fulvia Coupé was based on the Fiat Barchetta.

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The missed return of the Fulvia

At the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, Lancia, which still had an expanded range and a presence in several countries, presented the Fulvia Coupé concept car. This two-seater with a fixed roof was based on the Fiat Barchetta, from which it took the four-cylinder 1.8 engine of 140 hp. So it was a pull. Officially inspired by the Fulvia Coupé 1.6 HF which shone in competition in the 1960s and 1970s, it displayed much softer lines than its illustrious ancestor for an elegant look in line with the rest of the Lancia offer of the time. His style had been supervised in particular by Flavio Manzoni, now Ferrari’s design director.

Lancia Fulvia Coupe concept rear lights — Only a few elements, such as the drop of the roof and the beltline, can evoke the Fulvia HF.

A project of the current boss of Renault

One of the people responsible for the 2003 Fulvia concept was none other than Luca de Meo, who was then Vice President of Business Unit at Lancia within the Fiat Group. Recently became CEO of Renault after several years spent in the Volkswagen group, the Italian mentioned the vehicle in 2011 in his book Do 0 to 500. He spoke of it then as ” one of [s]the greatest professional regrets », Because the car was never marketed. Lancia management had put pressure on the parent company to see the new Fulvia see the light of day but, due to Fiat’s limited resources, the project fell through.

Lancia Fulvia Coupé interior concept — The atmosphere was cozy and warm on board.

It is conceivable that the idea of a new Fulvia still trots in the minds of some Lancia employees of the time still working in the company. But this is not the time for little sportswomen. And, if by any chance the Fulvia came back, it would not be impossible for it to be in the form of an electric SUV as announced by Opel, another brand of the Stellantis group, for the Manta.