Lancia's new Thema is about to debut at the Geneva Motorshow. As with the new Ypsilon trying to get a new Lancia-Chrysler feel; the new Thema, a revamped Chrysler 300 in drag, does the same but the other way round. If Lancisti are angry at the direction FIAT is taking with Lancia, I cannot fathom what Chrysler fans must feel right now.
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| The previous version - Chrysler 300C |
The front of a very distinctive car, albeit an acquired taste, has been toned down so much to make it conform with this new Chrysler-Lancia family feel that it has now become very characterless and plain. However, we do understand the commercial aspects for this move. Removing the Americanness of the Chrysler to make it a credible Lancia variant has been achieved by the toning down of the previous model heavy front. The result is, as far as we are concerned more accomplished in the Lancia than the Chrysler variant. The waistline, wheel arches, the rear however are not. But unlike the Ypsilon, Lancia had to work with an existing product that exuded US design.
Lancia is not hiding the car's origins either and how could they. Lancia actually claims the new Thema combines the best of two worlds, ready to take on the toughest and most prestigious segment. One element though that Lancia's contribution would be of importance is the reworking of the interior, as the quality and layout of the previous Chrysler 300C was probably deemed worst in class.
So here come new soft materials, Poltrona Frau® leather interiors, and details that will help it assume its new given nationality.
On sale from October
The new Thema will be on sale from October in all dealerships in continental Europe. The United Kingdom and Ireland will get the right-hand drive Chrysler version, the new 300.
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| New Chrysler 300 - for the UK and Ireland |
Lancia new Thema will be available in two trim levels - Gold and Platinum. There are three engine versions:
- The American 292 HP 3.6L V6 petrol engine with 8-speed automatic gearbox
- The VM-sourced 190 HP or 224 HP 3.0L V6 diesel engines, both with 5-speed automatic gearbox.
Different
One thing that can be said is that the new Lancia flagship will be different, offering a genuine alternative to the market. Measuring over 5 metres long, 1.5 metres high, and nearly 1.9 metres wide, the new Thema will stand out as this will give it an atypical size for a "European" car. Different in size though, unfortunately not in style. It certainly does not take the baton where its predecessor, the Thesis, left it. But then, that might not be a bad thing.
One thing that can be said is that the new Lancia flagship will be different, offering a genuine alternative to the market. Measuring over 5 metres long, 1.5 metres high, and nearly 1.9 metres wide, the new Thema will stand out as this will give it an atypical size for a "European" car. Different in size though, unfortunately not in style. It certainly does not take the baton where its predecessor, the Thesis, left it. But then, that might not be a bad thing.
Luxury and comfort
We really hope Lancia worked hard on the interior. We will need to wait and see, but expect soft touch materials, luxury interior trims, best-in-class leather adorning seats and dashboard, wood inserts and whatever else that will make the inside's every inch as special and as "Italian" as possible.
We really hope Lancia worked hard on the interior. We will need to wait and see, but expect soft touch materials, luxury interior trims, best-in-class leather adorning seats and dashboard, wood inserts and whatever else that will make the inside's every inch as special and as "Italian" as possible.
Lancia promises numerous improvements, components specially designed for the chassis of the new Thema: innovative multi-link front and rear suspension system features a wishbone layout, redesigned shock absorber, noise-absorbing lining... again, we will need to wait until journalist will have the opportunity to drive it.
A raft of technology
Lancia's new Thema will feature the innovative Uconnect® infotelematic system, touchscreen satellite navigation system, dual-zone climate control, Keyless Enter-N-Go, electronic stability system (ESC), Ready Alert Braking and Rain Brake Support devices, Active Pedestrian Protection, Xenon Smartbeam™ self-adaptive headlights, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which adjust speed when the vehicle reaches another slower vehicle travelling in front, Forward Collision Warning (FCS), Blind Spot Detection, Cross Path Detection, Parkview(Tm) Rear Back-Up Camera. Enough to make you dizzy with all the acronyms.
Written By Mondo Lancia
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