{{Short description|Prototype rally car}} [[File:LanciaECV-Bologna1986-1.jpg|thumb|The Lancia ECV pictured during its first public presentation at Bologna in 1986]] [[File:Lancia Delta ECV at Legendy 2014.JPG|thumb|Lancia ECV at Legendy 2014 car show in Prague]] The '''Lancia ECV''' (standing for ''Experimental Composite Vehicle'') was a prototype [[Group B#Group S|Group S]] [[rally car]] developed by the Italian manufacturer [[Lancia]] to replace the [[Lancia Delta S4]] in [[World Rally Championship]] competition for the 1988 season. However, Group B as well as Group S cars were banned from competition by the [[FIA]] in late 1986 concerns and the ECV never raced. Lancia instead developed the [[Group A]] [[Lancia Delta]].
The car originally produced over 600 [[horsepower]] (448 kW) from a 1759 cc twin-turbocharged engine. This engine, christened TriFlux, was built in an unusual fashion; the valves were crossed (for each side of the cylinder there was an intake and an exhaust valve), so that the two turbochargers could be fed with two separate manifolds. A single manifold carried the intake air (hence the name, from the three separate air ducts). However, Group S rules would have artificially limited the car's output to 300 hp (224 kW) to limit speeds.
The car made extensive use of the composite materials [[Kevlar]] and [[carbon fibre]] to save weight and add strength. Overall the car weighed {{convert|930|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The car also featured a new Martini colour-scheme, replacing the S4's white bodywork with red-based scheme. Lancia used the new scheme on its competition cars in 1987.
The restored ECV1, rebuilt from the original parts, was displayed at the Rally-Legend Event on 7-8-9 October 2010 in San-Marino, by the owner, Giuseppe Volta. An original TriFlux engine has been re-prepared, with the help of the original designer, Ing. [[Claudio Lombardi]], and modern Turbo-engine preparation expert, Claudio Berri.<ref name="italiaspeed">{{Cite web|url=http://www.italiaspeed.com/2010/motorsport/rally/others/rallylegend/preview/3009.html|title=06.10.2010 QUARTER OF A CENTURY ON LANCIA'S ECV1 FINALLY PREPARES TO HIT THE STAGES IN ANGER|access-date=2010-10-08|year=2010|work=italiaspeed}}</ref> A website has been opened to note the occasion.<ref name="ecv1.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ecv1.com/e-home.htm|title=ecv1.com English homepage|access-date=22 April 2012}}</ref>
==ECV 2== [[File:1988 Lancia ECV2 HH.jpg|thumb|Lancia ECV 2]] Despite the cancellation of Group S, Lancia improved the ECV with the 1988 ECV 2. The ECV 2 carbon-fibre chassis was that of the first ECV. The designer of the car was Carlo Gaino of his newly created design studio: Synthesis Design.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.automotivedesignconference.com/portfolio/carlo-gaino/|title=Carlo Gaino|website=automotivedesignconference.com|access-date=11 January 2020}}</ref> The ECV 2 also made use of the TriFlux engine and featured improved aerodynamics.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 30, 2019|title=Gallery: Check out the Fiat Group's incredible secret stash|url=https://topgear.com.my/features/gallery-check-out-the-fiat-groups-incredible-secret-stash|access-date=2020-10-15|website=Top Gear Malaysia|language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commonscat}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050310212545/http://freespace.virgin.net/shalco.com/lancia_gp_s.htm ECV article] * [http://www.lanciamotorclub.co.uk Lancia Motor Club (UK)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930133039/http://www.lanciamotorclub.co.uk/ |date=2011-09-30 }} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20101208030530/http://www.synthesisdesign.it/ecv_2.html Design of Lancia ECV II] * [http://www.ecv1.com/e-home.htm ecv1.com]
{{Lancia}}
{{Rally-stub}} [[Category:Lancia rally cars]] [[Category:Abarth vehicles]]