In today’s automotive landscape, Lancia is a shadow of its former self, offering only the Ypsilon, a painfully dull hatchback. But the Lancia name once echoed with motorsport triumphs and groundbreaking innovations, a brand that shaped the history of rallying and luxury automobiles alike. And at the pinnacle of this legacy stands the ferocious Lancia Delta S4 Stradale—arguably the wildest homologation special ever built.
Founded in 1906 by Fiat racing driver Vincenzo Lancia and Claudio Fogolin, Lancia was once synonymous with innovation and luxury. The brand’s engineering prowess gave the world the first production V4 and V6 engines, and their motorsport ventures brought legendary successes. However, Lancia’s true dominance came in the world of rallying, where it became the most successful manufacturer in World Rally Championship (WRC) history, amassing 10 constructors’ titles—six of which were consecutive from 1987 to 1992.
But nothing encapsulates Lancia’s racing heritage quite like the Delta S4, the beast that redefined rallying in the 1980s.
The Birth of a Monster: Lancia’s Response to Group B
After clinching the 1984 WRC title with the Rally 037, Lancia found itself outmatched by Audi’s Quattro a year later. The brand, alongside its motorsport partner Abarth, retreated to the drawing board, crafting what would become their most iconic rally machine. Dubbed the SE 038 internally, the new project resulted in the Delta S4, a car built to obliterate the competition in Group B rallying—a class known for its monstrous power and extreme designs.
While named after the road-going Delta hatchback, the S4 shared virtually nothing with its humble sibling, apart from the windshield and a few cosmetic features. The rally version was a lightweight masterpiece, built on a space-frame chassis reinforced with carbon fiber, wrapped in fiberglass body panels. It had a newly developed 4WD system and sported aggressive styling that made it instantly recognizable.
The Stradale: A Street-Legal Rally Car
Group B regulations required manufacturers to produce 200 road-legal versions of their race cars to qualify for competition. Enter the Delta S4 Stradale, a barely-tamed version of the race car designed for public roads. Built by coachbuilder Savio, the Stradale retained much of the rally car’s character, with its two-door layout, sleek lines, and a non-functional roof scoop. But the magic of the Delta S4 Stradale wasn’t just in its appearance—it was what lay beneath the surface.
Raw Power: The Twin-Charged Beast
At the heart of the Delta S4 Stradale was a 1.8-liter inline-four engine, developed by Abarth. This wasn’t just any engine, though. Using an innovative combination of a supercharger and turbocharger, the tiny motor delivered staggering power. The supercharger provided instant low-end torque, while the turbo kicked in at higher RPMs, creating a seamless wave of acceleration.
In its rally spec, the engine produced up to 1,000 horsepower during testing. However, for the street-legal Stradale, it was detuned to a more manageable 250 horsepower to comply with emissions standards. Despite this “restraint,” the Stradale could still hit 62 mph in just six seconds and had a top speed of 140 mph—impressive numbers for a road car in the 1980s.
Rally Performance on Public Roads
Driving the Delta S4 Stradale wasn’t just a typical Sunday cruise—it was an adrenaline-pumping experience. Equipped with a full-time 4WD system, including ZF limited-slip differentials and a central viscous coupling, the Stradale delivered 70% of its power to the rear wheels, making it feel every bit like a rally car. Weighing in at just over 2,600 pounds, the Stradale handled like it was glued to the road, offering razor-sharp responsiveness and raw excitement.
Though the performance figures were not mind-blowing by today’s standards, the experience behind the wheel was unforgettable. The car’s relatively low weight and precision-tuned suspension allowed it to handle curves with the same ferocity as its rally sibling.
Rarity and Legacy
Between 1985 and 1986, only 200 Stradales were built, most of which were painted in red, although a few were finished in black, white, silver, and green. These limited-production homologation specials carried a price tag five times that of the standard Delta lineup, making them one of the most expensive Lancias ever sold to the public.
Today, the Delta S4 Stradale is a highly coveted piece of automotive history. Pristine examples rarely surface at auctions, but when they do, they command seven-figure prices. The Delta S4, with its unhinged power, cutting-edge engineering, and rally pedigree, stands as a testament to a bygone era of motorsport where speed, danger, and innovation reigned supreme.
For those who want to relive the glory days of rallying, the Delta S4 Stradale remains one of the ultimate collectibles. It’s not just a car—it’s a reminder of when manufacturers would stop at nothing to dominate the dirt and tarmac.
Conclusion: The Wildest of Them All
Lancia’s Delta S4 Stradale wasn’t just another homologation special; it was the embodiment of Group B’s golden age. With its radical design, insane powertrain, and rally-bred DNA, it stands tall as one of the most iconic and thrilling machines ever to grace public roads. Simply put, they don’t make them like that anymore.
