Lancia has announced its intention to build a new Lancia sports car, in the mould of its mid-engined Stratos and Beta Montecarlo models, for low-volume series production in 2011.

Lancia CEO Olivier Francois told Autocar, that the brand is seeking to boost its image and re-establish itself as a maker of "upmarket, masculine, fun-to-drive cars". "A sports car is a great way to do this," Francois said, "and I hope to convince Marchionne that it’s a good idea."

It is possible for a concept version to be launched in 2009 at the Geneva show: "We are working on a show car for Geneva that will really surprise people; it’s something new," he said, although this is more likely to be a preview car for a smaller C-segment car – a ‘Delta coupe’.

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