22/06/2008 10:05. A name returns from the past. You will probably remember Lancia, for good and bad reasons. Some of the best are the company's wonderfully original engineering features in the years before Fiat took it over in 1969, the era from which my own Fulvia Coupé originates. Lancia was the first in production with a unitary chassis/body construction and independent front suspension. It pioneered the V-engine design and was the first company to produce the V6.

Price: £16,500 approx. On sale from July 2009 through 22 Alfa Romeo dealers in separate Lancia showrooms

Engine: 1,368cc, four cylinders, 16 valves, turbocharger, 150bhp at 5,500rpm, 152lb ft at 2,250rpm

Transmission: six-speed gearbox, front-wheel drive

Performance: 131mph, 0-62 in 8.7sec, 40.4mpg official average, CO2 165g/km

Then... // Independent