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Thursday, 3 November 2022

Lancia Delta to make World RX debut at Nürburgring finale.

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport
Just under a year ago, GCK Motorsport announced that they were working on a new electric rallycross car based upon the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale. At the World RX of Germany next weekend, the iconic ‘hot hatch’ will head into battle – as it joins the FIA World Rallycross Championship for the 2022 season finale.

With six consecutive titles from 1987 to 1992, the Lancia Delta remains the most successful car in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and although the car went out of production 30 years ago, Giorgetto Giugiaro’s compact, angular design still commands admiration.

As a child of the eighties, Guerlain Chicherit, was inspired by the exploits of countryman Didier Auriol. It was only natural, therefore, that the French entrepreneur turned to this emblematic model when he launched his car retrofit business in 2020. 

The Lancia Delta Evo-e "road version" is currently in the final homologation phase in France and will soon go into production.

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport
The four wheel-drive Lancia Delta Evo-e RX – was designed and manufactured from the ground up at GCK Performance’s workshop in Issoire in central France. 

Underneath its true-to-original bodywork, the car houses a tubular structure compliant with the safety standards in the FIA 2022 regulations. The chassis alone took more than 1,200 hours to complete.

With 500 kW (680hp) under the bonnet, the car boasts twice the power of a Formula E car and, even more impressive, it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 1.8 seconds… that’s seven-tenths faster than an F1 car by the same measure! The secret? Four-wheel drive and the combination of two Kreisel Electric motors delivering 250 kW each (the electric drivetrain kit used by all the cars competing in the championship).

Four-time World Freeriding Champion and racer Chicherit – whose most recent World RX start came at the Nürburgring 12 months ago, yielding a fifth-place finish on the second day – will climb into the cockpit for the car’s first competitive debut, using the event as preparation for the 2023 season.

"I am very happy to be back in World RX, a year after my last participation on this same Nürburgring circuit. One thing is certain, our Lancia Delta Evo-e RX will stand out among the modern cars that make up this oh-so-spectacular championship," Chicherit said.

"I would like to congratulate GCK Performance for the fantastic job they have done over the past nine months. The build quality is incredible, as is the level of finish. I think this will impress more than one observer. It will now take us some time to understand the car and improve it in order to make it competitive. I can't wait to be on the track!"

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