26 Oct 06
Lancia Thema
Well, one version is. The Thema was an 80s stab at the upper-crust saloon market, developed in collaboration with Saab (9000) as well as Alfa Romeo (164) and Fiat (Croma).
The intercooled turbo version is fairly swift, but the real joy is to be found with the 8.32. The eight stands for eight cylinders, in a V, and the 32 is the valve count. Who had an engine matching those figures? Ferrari, that's who. Under the bonnet was the same 3.0-litre powerhouse as fitted to the 308, and it gave 215bhp. Amazingly, despite it all going through the front wheels and there was little or no torque steer.
Rarity was ensured by the £43,200 price tag.
Lancia Delta HPE
Painful memories of frothing Betas, Deltas, Prismas and the odd Gamma did it for Lancia. With sales on the floor, the company cut its losses in 1994 and fled the UK. The pattern was repeated with most export markets, including the US.
Now, with the remaining Lancias safely in the hands of rain-wary enthusiasts, the company is planning a return in 2008. Spearheading it will be the new Delta HPE, a fast, luxurious sports estate based on the new Fiat Bravo platform. Also hoped for is a production version of the mouth-watering Fulvia coupe concept.
The rebirth starts here.
