Auto Channel

Outstanding safety

Elegant and innovative, Lancia Phedra is also one of the safest models of its segment, having won the coveted five stars of the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), which places it at the top of the segment in terms of safety (both active and passive).

This important award is above all the recognition of Lancia’s unsparing attention to all aspects of driver and passenger protection, an established part of the design process covering both body and vehicle components, from dash to seats, to occupant restraint systems. For the Nuova Phedra this effort yielded excellent results, as shown by the Euro NCAP award. To attain this goal, designers reviewed all types of possible impacts, including front, side, overturn, rear end and fire hazard. Impact speeds were also taken into account, together with the different types of obstacles and different types of occupants. In-depth evaluation of all these parameters resulted in various technical options which make the Nuova Phedra one of the safest cars of the entire segment.

Total protection, starting with an array of passive safety devices fitted as standard equipment, including dual multi-stage front airbags, two front side airbags, two window airbags protecting side passengers of the three rows of seats. Moreover, the Nuova Phedra incorporates passenger seat sensors (for airbag activation on impact) and visual and audible warning systems for front seat belts. Plus lap-and-diagonals with pretensioners and load limiters (excluding center seat of second row), headrests adjustable for height and rake (front). And the centralized door locking system, as well as the Isofix mounting points for child safety harness, supplemented by grandangle rearview mirror for monitoring rear seats and driver controlled sliding door and rear window lockup. Finally, automatic door lock release and fuel supply cutoff in case of impact.

The Lancia SUV behaviour on the road is always consistent and predictable, is forgiving in case of driver’s errors and will help him to pull away from critical situations without trouble. As regards active safety the Nuova Phedra, in addition to a high-performance brake system, boasts leading-edge electronics for dynamic vehicle control during braking and traction.

All versions have ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), a device which adjusts brake pressure to the rear axle to prevent wheel lockup, thereby ensuring that the vehicle is under control at all times and in all conditions. Standard equipment also includes a Brake Assistance Device (BAD) for emergency braking; on cars fitted with ESP the BAD function is electronically controlled by the ABS ECU and is known as HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance).

For maximum vehicle control in all circumstances, all Lancia Phedras incorporate ESP (Electronic Stability Program), a device which is designed to cut in in limit conditions, i.e. when vehicle stability is at risk, helping the driver to resume full control. Moreover, the new model is equipped with ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation), a device designed to control driving wheel spin on low-adhesion road surfaces. This automatic traction control system operates regardless of speed to adjust torque in relation to the coefficient of wheel adhesion. When changing down suddenly from a higher gear in low-adhesion conditions, the MSR (Motor Schleppmoment Regelung) cuts in to increase engine torque, thereby avoiding wheel skidding due to lock-up. A comprehensive package aimed at improving safety when the Nuova Phedra is on the move. To govern these devices, an ECU-driven ‘intelligent central nervous system’ was purpose-designed to process signals received from sensors located around the vehicle and react accordingly.

Last but not least, the highly effective brake system of the Nuova Phedra ensures prompt and progressive vehicle deceleration and reduced stopping distances. On sudden, prolonged braking, the automatic emergency warning system cuts in turning on the hazard warning lights to promptly alert the following drivers. Some versions also incorporate headlamp washers, cruise control, Xenon lamps (standard on the Platino) rain sensor, park sensors, auto. external lights activation sensor and deflated tire sensor.

The range

The range includes three outfits, namely Argento, Oro and Platino, three turbodiesel powerplants and three seating configurations, i.e. standard five-seat, optional six- and seven-seat (for Italy seven-seat standard, six-seat optional). There are eleven bodywork colors to choose from and five for the interior, namely Castiglio/cloth, Alcantara® Starlite and perforated leather (optional), for a total of up to 52 combinations for utmost personalization, for the most demanding of motorists.

This sophisticated SUV can be supplied with either of three turbodiesel common rail powerplants, i.e. the 2.0 Multijet (120 HP), the 2.0 Multijet (136 HP) with particulate filter and the brand new 2.2 Multijet (170 HP) also with particulate filter, all coupled to a manual transmission (the 170 HP version is also available with a 6-speed automatic transmission), for maximum performance, quiet running, ride comfort and fuel efficiency.

With minor changes depending on market, the three versions come with an extremely plentiful array of standard accessories. First level Argento has 16” wheel rims and heated, defrost, power rear view mirrors on the outside, and zone auto. air conditioning system, car radio with CD reader and Mp3 file, trip computer, hydraulic power steering, second seat row curtains and tinted glass windows (power operated front and rear) on the inside. Standard safety features include ABS, ESP, 6 airbags, headlamp beam adjust and luggage restraint net.

In addition to the above, the Nuova Phedra Oro has Privacy glazing, third seat row curtains, 16” alloy wheel rims, cruise control, pivoting seats and park sensors.

The welcoming, smart interior of the Nuova Phedra Platino incorporates extra refinements which point to the care and attention paid by Lancia in order to pamper the motorist. In addition to the features of the Oro version, the Platino has heated and power-operated front seats, rain sensor and auto. external lights activation sensor, Xenon headlamps, headlamp washers, electrochromic interior rear view mirror and leather lined steering wheel and gear control.

Nuova Phedra owners will be able to personalize their car choosing from a comprehensive range of optionals including lift and roll alarm, power-operated side doors and triple sunroof. The Nuova Phedra can also be provided with Bluetooth hands-free telephone and an innovative sat-nav system. The telephone system makes for maximum driving safety, enabling conversation even with the bluetooth mobile in a jacket pocket or briefcase, automatically muting the car radio (if switched on) and using the stereo speakers to listen. Another optional feature of the Nuova Phedra is the innovative sat-nav system comprising car radio RDS with CD reader, GSM dual band hands-off phone, voice controls for radio and phone, map-based dynamic navigation through 7", 16/9 color display. The device comes with a high-capacity hard disk (10 GB) with which to save up to 180 hours of music files, a map of Europe, 3D Navteq maps, route calculation options, hands-free GSM (by inserting SIM in navigator) and video viewing during stops.