Chrysler Delta (United States of America, 2011-present)

The 2011 Chrysler Delta is a re-badged version of the Lancia Delta, launched in 2011 on the British and Irish markets as part of a model-sharing agreement between Fiat and Chrysler.

The Delta model was initially revived in 2008 with the Lancia model, which is based on the Fiat C platform. The re-badged version by Chrysler was then introduced at the Chicago Auto Show 2010.

This small family luxury model was designed by the Lancia Syling Centre. The five-door hatchback measures 4.52 metres in length, 1.797 metres in width and 1.499 metres in height, its wheelbase measures 2.7 metres.

There are four trim levels: S, SE, SR and Limited.

In standard S guise it comes with a radio/CD with MP3 files compatibility, air conditioning, adjustable steering wheel with audio controls, power windows front and rear, and ‘follow me home’ headlights that delay switching off.

The SE model features trim enhancements such as a luxury finish to the dash and doors, a refrigerated compartment in the cabin, chromed door handles and window surrounds, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The SR builds on that with two-zone automatic climate control, Alcantara leather upholstery, Cruise Control and 17-inch alloy wheels. Options include a panoramic sunroof that takes up 80 per cent of the total roof space, a Bose Audio System and an electrochromatic dimming rear view mirror.

There are four engines available at launch with the Chrysler Delta 2011, starting with a petrol 1.4-litre TurboJet and a more powerful 140bhp 1.4-litre that uses Fiat’s MultiAir technology. These are supplemented by a pair of diesels, in 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre capacities, which benefit from second generation MultiJet technology.

All models feature six-speed gearboxes with a semi-automatic version available on the 1.6 SE MultiJet.

1.4 litre Turbo-Jet − Petrol
Developed as part of the FIRE (Fully Integrated and Robotised Engine) range of engines, this power unit has a fuel consumption of 44.8mph (Combined Cycle).

1.4 litre MultiAir
The second engine in the Delta range is a more powerful 140bhp 1.4 litre petrol which utilises FPT’s award-winning MultiAir technology.

MultiAir technology works by allowing the direct metering of air stroke-by-stroke, cylinder-by-cylinder through the intake valves without using the throttle. MultiAir technology combines to allow this engine to achieve a comsumption of 49.6mpg (Combined).

1.6 MultiJet 120bhp
The first diesel engine in the Delta range is a 120bhp FPT developed MultiJet available to customers purchasing Delta SE and SR versions, with a 6 speed semi-automatic transmission available on SE versions.

MultiJet is another development from FPT which allows eight injections per combustion cycle. This is possible due to the new MultiJet II injector patented by FPT, and integrated into the ECU by Magneti Marelli. The shutter in the injector is hydraulically balanced, which allows a larger sealing diameter, with reduced shutter strokes. This servovalve allows fuel quantities to be injected into the combustion chamber quicker, and with greater accuracy.

The shutter stroke has been reduced to 20µm (microns), which has allowed the interval between two consecutive injections to bereduced. This allows the injection rate to be modulated, to achieve greater combustion process control. This new injection mode is called Injection Rate Shaping. The results are reduced noise, fuel consumption of 60.1mpg (Combined) and reduced pollutant emissions.

When a customer chooses the semi-automatic transmission, the car becomes even more economic with 61.4mpg (Combined) and 120g/km CO2.

2.0 MultiJet 165bhp
The most powerful engine in the Delta range is available exclusively on the Delta Limited.

The 2.0 MultiJet features all of the MultiJet technology available on the 1.6, but in a more potent package, offering 165bhp and 360Nm of torque. Economy figures are at 55.4mpg (Combined) with CO2 emissions at 135g/km.

Exterior

At the front, projector style headlamps feature bright LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) as standard equipment. Front fog lamps with cornering function also come with every model and sit either side of a front air intake designed to give the Delta a sporty look. They are combined with Chrysler’s newly styled shield grille and sculpted bonnet.

With a high waistline rising to the rear, the Delta has a sporty stance from the side, helped by the standard rear spoiler that blends into the rear window. Appearance at the back is set off by a rear window that has no surrounds and is flanked by curved, vertical LED tail lights.

Interior

In size terms, with its 2700mm wheelbase and 4520mm overall length it sits at the larger end of the C segment. Chrysler has employed techniques usually found in MPVs to make this space as flexible as possible. The rear bench slides backwards and forwards (not on Limited versions). It means owners can choose to increase boot space, if for example they have small children in the rear seats, or give rear seat passengers limousine levels of leg room.

With the back seats in their forward position the Delta offers rear passengers 930mm of leg room. With the rear seats in their most forward position, the boot offers 465 litres. And when the backrest is as far back as it’ll go there’s 380 litres. The boot also features a small space under the floor. This provides a hidden compartment for valuables and means that when the seats are folded down, the 1190 litres of space has a continuous flat floor. The rear seats recline 25 degrees backwards too.

Materials such as leather and Alcantara are used, while on lower trim levels the dashboard is covered with Benova, a soft textile. On Limited versions the dashboard is covered in Poltrona Frau Leather.

The range-starting S model has premium fabric covered seats while in SE variants they’re cloaked in Carbony 3D fabric. This cloth has a three dimensional effect and features contrasting Alcantara inserts. The SR has Alcanatara with leather inserts, while the top of the range Limited comes with luxury leather trimmed seats finished with classic piping round the edge.

On the dashboard, centre console buttons are illuminated by a white light. The centre console, steering wheel and instrument surrounds are highlighted by a metallic-effect Satin Silver paint.

Chrome finishes are used on the door handles, radio, climate control knobs and dashboard. The front seats on SE, SR and Limited models have the new Chrysler logo on the head restraints. And the roof is lined with a new polyester-based material that reduces cabin noise on the move.

Safety features include Daytime Running Lights (DRL) for all models, six airbags, three-point safety belts for all five seats, ABS anti-lock braking with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Holder and Anti Slip Regulation traction control. It also incorporates Linearisation Torque Feedback (LTF), Torque Transfer Control (TTC) and Drive Steering Torque (DST), all of which are designed to improve handling.

EuroNCAP

The Chrysler Delta won a European New Car Assessment Programme (EuroNCAP) five star crash safety rating.

Absolute Handling System

The Chrysler Delta has been fitted with the Absolute Handling System. This is an amalgamation of various existing technologies such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Holder to ensure perfect hill starts every time, Anti Slip Regulation (ASR) which uses brake and engine control to optimise traction, and MSR which cuts in to ensure engine torque isn’t interrupted if a swift down change is needed during a climb. The Absolute Handling System also includes Linearisation Torque Feedback (LTF), Torque Transfer Control (TTC) and Drive Steering Torque (DST).

Drive Steering Torque

The new DST is an electronic steering system that suggests the moves drivers should carry out to maximise road holding and therefore security. It does this through generating torque at the steering wheel courtesy of a continuous interaction between the electric power steering and the Absolute Handling System which controls the car’s dynamics. The DST means that if the car begins to oversteer, the most appropriate manoeuvre to maintain control is ‘suggested’ to the driver.

The DST also has a Mu-Split Control Function (MCF) which works over surfaces with different levels of grip. This enables automatic countersteering to prevent the vehicle from spinning and reduces braking distance by 10 per cent.

The LTF comes to life when it detects high lateral acceleration. Assuming this to be the result of sporty driving it boosts the steering wheel’s resistant torque to improve road feel for the driver, particularly through fast bends.

The 2011 Delta also features a new TTC system designed to improve the transfer of torque to the driven wheels. When the driver accelerates through a bend, the brake is constantly modulated on the inner front wheel to increase traction to the loaded outer wheel. By distributing torque between the front-driven wheels in this continuous dynamic manner, it simulates the behaviour of a Limited Slip Differential to give the driver a feeling of improved agility and better traction.

Navigation Versions

Both SE and SR trim levels of the Delta also feature Nav versions which come equipped with Blue&Me™ Nav. This system allows drivers to manage their music and phone calls, using either voice controls or buttons on the steering wheel.

Blue&MeTM
Delta owners can make calls and play music the way they want with Blue&MeTM, developed in conjunction with Microsoft. It works via Bluetooth®, so users can stay connected while they are driving. There is also voice recognition.

For playing music, users can plug in their USB stick or MP3 player into the port provided to get their music at their fingertips, or by voice command.

The buttons on the steering wheel allow the driver to skip through albums or tracks which are shown on the dashboard display. Alternatively, voice command technology allows operations via simple voice commands like ‘Next’, ‘Previous’ and ‘Play’.

Nav
The navigation system has a 6.5” colour screen, voice recognition and SD-card map management. Map updates are possible through the NAVTEQ MAP CARE programme.

Both Blue&MeTM and the Navigation System are standard on Nav versions and are also standard on Limited.

Magic Parking

Pushing a button on the dashboard activates the system which then uses radar sensors mounted in the front and rear bumpers combined with wheel speed sensors to measure the length of empty parking spaces. If it detects one that is free from obstacles and is long enough to accommodate the car, the driver is informed by a beeping noise and a message on the dash. If the driver decides to park in it, the car’s computer takes over the steering to carry out the reverse parallel parking manoeuvre. The driver retains control of the accelerator and brake and is permitted a speed of just over 4mph. The driver can deactivate the system at any time, either by turning the wheel, changing out of reverse or pressing the button on the dashboard.

Lane Departure Control

The main element of this is a TV camera with image-processing software. This sends data on the geometry of the road in front of the vehicle to the onboard computer enabling the car to ‘recognise’ road markings. The car’s control unit then decides what sort of steering inputs are needed to keep the car within the lines on the road. If these aren’t applied and the car starts to drift out of its lane, a motor generates torque on the wheel to tell the driver which direction they need to steer to stay in the lane. It only intervenes if the car starts to change lanes without indicating. The driver can override it at any time.