Lancia’s History Has Returned with a Stunning Contemporary Tribute | Carscoops

      The Lancia Pu+Ra Monte Carlo has the potential to serve as a flagship model for the Italian brand, injecting some exotic appeal into its lineup.

      Designer Christopher Giroux has brought to life the iconic Lancia Montecarlo in celebration of its 50th anniversary.

      This coupe fuses modern Lancia styling with classic elements from the Montecarlo design.

      The rally variant features an Alitalia-themed livery and aerodynamic enhancements that pay tribute to the Italian brand's WRC legacy.

      Lancia is embarking on a new journey, although its current portfolio consists solely of the Ypsilon subcompact hatchback. A larger Gamma crossover and the long-anticipated Delta are on the way, yet enthusiasts of the Italian brand are still yearning for a more dynamic offering with a sharper edge. Embracing this sentiment, Christopher Giroux, a senior exterior designer at Ford, took the opportunity in his spare time to reimagine the 1970s Montecarlo coupe for a contemporary audience.

      The Stellantis-owned Italian brand has already explored the idea of a sports car with the 2023 Pu+Ra HPE Concept, a Stratos-inspired design that ultimately did not reach production. Giroux’s Pu+Ra Montecarlo incorporates some iconic elements from that concept while presenting itself as a feasible design that could realistically transition to production.

      A Coupe Revived

      Giroux was inspired to revive his beloved Lancia for its 50-year milestone. The original Beta Montecarlo was launched in 1975 as a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car available in both coupe and targa forms. The design was crafted by Paolo Martin at Pininfarina, who bestowed the car with its iconic proportions and character.

      To update his concept, Giroux combined traditional hand-drawn sketching with digital methods including Photoshop, Blender, and AI-assisted tools. The outcome is a sleek coupe that pays homage to Lancia’s rich history while appearing distinctly modern. Key design features remain, such as the darkened nose and the signature flying buttresses, which are artistically reimagined in transparent glass.

      The Pu+Ra Montecarlo showcases slender T-shaped LED lights at both ends, adhering to Lancia’s contemporary styling language. It also features circular design elements on the hood, roof, and rear deck, reminiscent of the company’s Pu+Ra HPE Concept.

      At the front, the pronounced chin, aerodynamic blade, and sculpted fenders contribute to the coupe’s exotic profile, while the wraparound greenhouse and built-in spoiler evoke strong memories of the Stratos. The side view displays smooth surfaces with a character line stemming from the black side air intakes. At the back, a sleek light strip is positioned below another subtle spoiler, completing the overall aesthetic.

      The Racing Variant

      Given the Montecarlo's rich motorsport lineage, its chassis served as the base for the renowned Lancia Rally 037, the last rear-wheel-drive vehicle to clinch a WRC title. In recognition of this heritage, Giroux envisioned a rally-ready version of the Pu+Ra Montecarlo, dressed in the distinctive Alitalia livery that adorned the Stratos HF.

      This racing variant is equipped with unique alloy wheels finished in gold and features a specially redesigned bodykit. Modifications include aggressive bumper intakes with futuristic LEDs, a subtle splitter, a hood scoop, new side gills, a ducktail spoiler, a more pronounced diffuser, and a vented rear deck.

      The designer has yet to clarify what engine would power this model, but the car's proportions and design hints suggest a battery-electric powertrain. Nonetheless, early sketches featuring dual exhaust outlets and the rally car’s vented rear imply the potential for a hybrid setup with a mid-mounted combustion engine.

      Will It Happen?

      While the prospect of a new Lancia sports car is enticing, the brand needs to achieve robust sales to justify Stellantis’ investment. For the time being, the likelihood of seeing models like the Aurelia, Fulvia, Stratos, Montecarlo, or 037 make a comeback remains low. Nevertheless, designs like this study illustrate how convincingly a modern coupe can function as a flagship model, reminding us of the attributes that make the brand so intriguing in the first place.

      Special thanks to Christopher Giroux for sharing his vision with us!