LANCIA BETA HPE

2-door 4-seater estate.

Most elegant permutation of original Beta theme, using saloon-length platform and front-drive running gear, coupé front style, but hatchback/sporting estate passenger accommodation. Renamed Lancia HPE (no Beta mentioned) from 1979. Only two engine sizes, least powerful 100bhp, but 122bhp 2-litre with injection from 1981, and Volumex 135bhp with supercharging from 1983. Like coupé, much-acclaimed at first, but neglected by Lancia and died out.