By Jeff Glucker
Lot’s of vehicles like to lay claim to being “the best sounding” thing out there. Everyone has different ears. Noise enjoyment is subjective. We all like different things. I think, however, that most of us can agree that the Lancia Delta S4 is a monstrous mid-engined rally beast that bellows forth with truly awesome sounds.
The noise arrives thanks to the twin-charged powerplant that lives behind the driver. A 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder unit benefited from both turbocharging and supercharging. Goodbye low-end lag, hello nearly 500 horsepower. Lancia produced and ran the Delta S4 for two seasons, back in 1985 and 1986. It performed quite well, but it also has a tragic end.
There’s a dark side to the Delta S4. Driver Henri Toivonen and co-driver Sergio missed a turn during the 1986 Rallye de France. The car left the road, crashed on it roof, and burst into flames. Both men died. And this crash, along with a few others, put the final nails in the coffin of Group B rally racing.
Let’s forget that bit for now. Instead, click play and listen to the mighty Delta S4 sing its glorious song.
[Source: YouTube via Road & Track]
Jeff – Minor edit: Toivonen’s co-driver was Sergio Cresto; the Rally in question was the 1986 Tour de Corse in Corsica. I still shudder each time I see it mentioned.
Here’s one being driven HARD. Look at those gear changes!
Here’s one being driven HARD. Look at those gear changes!
Just why is FCA persisting with Alfa Romeo and abandoning all this much more relevant and recent Lancia motorsport?
In motorsport, specially in rallying, Lancia has had far greater and consistent success for longer than their red rivals.
https://image.redbull.com/rbcom/010/2014-06-03/1331655950194_9/0010/1/1050/700/1/lancia-s-greatest-hits.jpg