1992 Lancia Hyena

The purpose of the Lancia Hyena was to be a limited-production coupé based on the WRC-winning Lancia Delta Integrale. A Dutch classic car restorer and collector named Paul V.J. Koot, who desired a road-going coupe version of the HF integrale, was the mastermind of the idea. Marco Pedracini at Zagato was tasked with creating the design, and several traditional Zagato styling elements were implemented into the design, including the 'double-bubble' roof. The concept was shown in January 1992 at the Brussels Motor Show, and the first prototype was shown at the Paris Motor Show in October 1993.

Zagato proposed building a limited run of 500 cars, and when Lancia declined, Koot had to purchase the complete Integrale and transform it into the Hyena. He stripped them to a bare shell before sending them to Zagato in Milan to have the newly developed bodies built for final assembly.

The bodywork was comprised of aluminum alloys over a lighter steel structure, and the doors, outer sills, and bumpers were formed from composite materials. Carbon fiber was used for interior components, including the console, dashboard, and door cards. Approximately 330 pounds (150 kilograms) was shed by these weight-saving measures, and its structural integrity increased as well.

Power was from a two-liter turbocharged engine that was tuned to produce 250 PS and was paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The engine was transversely installed in the front engine bay and powered all four wheels.

Zero-to-sixty mph took 5.4 seconds.

Selling at a price of around 140,000 Swiss francs ($100,000 USD), the intended production of 75 units was never met, and only 24 were completed between 1992 and 1995.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024