Lambda

Vincenzo Lancia was a racing driver turned engineer who believed that conventional chassis construction was fundamentally wrong. The Lambda proved him right.

The monocoque body, where the body shell itself provides structural strength instead of a separate frame, was revolutionary in 1922. It made the Lambda lighter, stiffer, and lower than any competitor. The concept would eventually become universal in car construction.

The narrow-angle V4 engine, with its cylinders set at just 13 degrees, was another Lancia innovation. It provided the compactness of an inline-four with the smooth power delivery of a V configuration.

Independent front suspension using sliding pillars gave the Lambda a ride and handling advantage over every other car of its era. The combination of monocoque, IFS, and compact engine made the Lambda the most technically advanced production car of the 1920s.

13,000 were built across nine series, each refining the original concept. The Lambda established Lancia as the most innovative car manufacturer in the world, a reputation that would continue through the Aurelia, Stratos, and Delta.