by Designer Revives the Legendary Lancia Montecarlo
To celebrate the model’s 50th anniversary, designer Christopher Giroux has created a modern interpretation of the iconic Lancia Montecarlo. His work combines the language of modern Lancia design with classic elements of the original coupe. In addition to the road version, he also developed a rally variant with Alitalia livery and aerodynamic improvements that honor the brand’s heritage in the World Rally Championship.
A Modern Look at History
Lancia, which is now limited to the Ypsilon model, is preparing to launch new cars such as the Gamma and Delta. However, brand enthusiasts are waiting for something more dynamic and emotional. Christopher Giroux, a senior exterior designer at Ford, has reincarnated the 1970s Montecarlo in his free time, creating a project that looks realistic enough for potential series production.
The designer decided to revive his favorite Lancia on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
The original Beta Montecarlo was introduced in 1975 as a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car, available in coupe and targa body styles. Its design was developed by Paolo Martin of Pininfarina, who gave the car impeccable proportions and character.
Technology and Tradition in Design
To realize his idea, Giroux combined traditional hand drawing with digital technologies, including Photoshop, Blender, and artificial intelligence tools. The result is an elegant coupe that combines historical features with modern elements. Among the key details are the darkened front end and the characteristic flying buttresses, reinterpreted as transparent glass elements.
The Pu+Ra Montecarlo is equipped with thin T-shaped LEDs at both ends, consistent with Lancia’s modern style.
The front of the car features a pronounced splitter, aerodynamic elements, and sculpted fenders that give it an exotic look. Rounded elements on the hood, roof, and rear panel, similar to the Pu+Ra HPE concept, complement the overall image. The rear is adorned with a thin light bar and an integrated spoiler, reminiscent of the Stratos heritage.
Rally Heritage
The history of the Montecarlo is inextricably linked to motorsport, as its chassis became the basis for the legendary Lancia Rally 037 – the last rear-wheel-drive car to win the World Rally Championship title. In honor of this heritage, Giroux developed a rally version of the Pu+Ra Montecarlo in the Alitalia livery that adorned the Stratos HF.
This competition version is equipped with different gold-colored alloy wheels and an updated aero kit.
The changes include aggressive bumpers with futuristic LEDs, a hood with an air intake, side grilles, a ducktail spoiler, a more powerful diffuser, and a ventilated rear panel.
Technical Possibilities
The designer did not specify what powertrain could be located under the body, but the proportions and stylistic details indicate the possibility of using an electric transmission. Previous sketches depicting dual exhaust pipes and a ventilated rear section also suggest a hybrid configuration with a mid-mounted internal combustion engine.
Implementation Prospects
Despite the appeal of the idea of creating a new Lancia sports car, the brand first needs to ensure stable sales to justify Stellantis’ investments. For now, the chances of models like the Aurelia, Fulvia, Stratos, Montecarlo, or 037 returning remain low. However, such projects demonstrate how convincingly a modern coupe could serve as a halo model, reminding us of the brand’s uniqueness.
Today, Lancia is in a revival phase, and concepts like the Pu+Ra Montecarlo could be an important step in shaping its future. They not only preserve the historical heritage but also demonstrate the brand’s potential in creating innovative and emotional cars. Such initiatives also emphasize the importance of collaboration between designers and automakers to develop creative ideas that can inspire a new generation of enthusiasts.
