It might be the best hot hatch ever made, but it’s about to get better — if you can afford it.
Italian coachbuilder Automobili Amos has created a new version of the brutally awesome Delta Integrale. It’s a “restomod” of the original: Amos takes a Delta and goes over every flaw with a fine-toothed comb to bring it up to, and beyond, modern standards.
The Delta Futurista curiously starts off life as an original Delta 16v. These are rather more plentiful in supply than the HF Integrale and Evo cars, but even so it’s not going to be a high-volume car.
Amos then removes every panel that can be removed, and replaces it with new, lightweight parts. This includes the entire front fascia, hood and trunk, all of which are carbon fiber. Partly this is about weight saving, but it also provides new body lines to account for the fact the Futurista has no rear doors.
With the new three-door configuration and new body components, the Futurista is some 200lb lighter, at 2,755lb. It’s also significantly less prone to tin-worm — another advantage over the original.
The carbon theme continues on the inside too. You’ll find carbon fiber everywhere, and just about every surface that isn’t carbon fiber is Alcantara suede. There’s an Alcantara shortage at the moment, and looking inside the Futurista explains why.
Amos retrims the rear seats, while the fronts are the obligatory Recaro. There’s a multifunction steering wheel and electric windows, but no navigation system as far as we can tell. That’s likely because Amos is concentrating more on modernizing the driving experience than providing a modern car. More on that later…
There is one curious switch in the cabin. It’s bright red and has a picture of a spaceship on it. Amos hasn’t offered an explanation for this one yet, so draw your own conclusions.
The mechanicals also benefit from the touch of modernization. There’s a significantly upgraded engine, along with a new intercooler, intake and exhaust. That all results in 330hp, 50% more than even the hottest last Integrales.
Amos also reinforces the gearbox and differential, while suspension and brakes are all new too. The original car had a reputation for electrical issues, so prospective owners will be pleased to hear the loom is brand new.
The car is a tribute to the Delta, courtesy of Automobili Amos’s founder, Eugenio Amos. He took to Instagram to explain his motivation:
“Well, this car means a lot to me. It represents my romantic vision in a world that is too aseptic, too fast, that runs like the wind, superficial and intangible. This car means that I had enough of the car world, both as a client before and as a manufacturer now.
“I long for a bygone, idealized time when men, values and substance were at the core of the product. Therefore this car is pure, analogic, raw and essential. It took a ton of work from some very talented people but we managed to cut away all the fat and leave only what really matters to me.
“I chose the Delta because it’s the car that made me fall in love with cars in the first place. I was 7 years old. My father had a beautiful Giallo Ginestra. I don’t know why but it made me feel special. Those memories are made of smells, of that soft Alcantara touch, of confused noises.
“This is what I always look for in a car. This is what I can offer. I can only offer what I like, even if it’s an end in itself, apparently useless.”
Amos made this trailer with the same sort of passion, so… language warning!
Automobili Amos plans to only make 15 of these Futurista cars, taking four months each. Chances are that by the time you’ve read this, it’s already taken orders for all 15, even though they cost $350,000 a time.
Still, it looks like it’s time to clear out another space in the dream garage.
