A new success for one of the rarest pearls in the historic collection: the Lancia Delta S4. One of the last models remaining in its original condition from the 200 produced between 1985 and 1986, it has won the “Ruoteclassiche – Best in Classic 2022” award in the “Youngtimer” category.
The award ceremony, chaired by a high-quality jury made up of 12 industry experts of the calibre of Miki Biason, took place on 30 November at the prestigious venue of the Pirelli Hangar Bicocca, to complete the annual competition created by Ruoteclassiche magazine.
In the “Youngtimer” category, for cars produced from the 1980s to the 2000s, a sizeable majority of readers of Ruoteclassiche chose the Lancia Delta S4 over its fierce competitors the Bugatti EB 110 GT “Parigi” and the Lamborghini Countach 25°.
The award-winning road version of the Lancia Delta S4 is one of the few models that has survived in its original condition from the 200 produced between 1985 and 1986; it was designed to participate in the World Rally Championship’s Group B.
The Delta S4 was the first Italian 4×4 to be used in competitions: it has four-wheel drive, and its chassis structure consists of a reticular cage made up of welded steel tubes. The body uses honeycomb panels in Kevlar and carbon fibre, hence the car’s name: the letter ‘S’ stands for supercharging, the number ‘4’ for its four-wheel drive.
In 1986, the Delta S4 Gr.B won the Italian and European titles after taking victory in over 15 rallies, including in Monte Carlo, on the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia, the Mille Miglia, and the Targa Florio.
The S4 represents the first step in the Delta's sporting adventure, through its various evolutions. The model from the Heritage collection is usually on show at the Heritage HUB and can be viewed during guided tours.
