{{Short description|Executive car manufactured by Fiat}} {{for|the 1910 model|Lancia Gamma (1910)}} {{for|the 2026 model|Lancia Gamma (2026)}} {{Infobox automobile | image = Lancia Gamma Coupe 2500 Retro Classics 2020 IMG 0245.jpg | name = Lancia Gamma | caption = Lancia Gamma Coupe | manufacturer = [[Lancia]] | production = 1976–1984 | predecessor = [[Lancia 2000]] | successor = [[Lancia Thema]] | class = [[Executive car]] ([[E-segment|E]]) | platform = | layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, front-wheel-drive]] | body_style = {{ubl |4-door [[fastback]] [[Sedan (automobile)|saloon]] (''berlina'') |2-door [[coupé]] }} | engine = {{ubl|2.0&nbsp;L ''[[Lancia Flat-4 engine|Lancia]]'' [[Flat-four engine|H4]] |2.5&nbsp;L ''Lancia'' H4 }} | transmission = {{ubl |5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] |4-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]<ref name="carsfrom">{{cite web|url=http://www.carsfromitaly.com/lancia/index.html |title=Lancia Gamma |work=The Lancia pages @ www.CarsFromItaly.com |access-date=2006-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324083750/http://www.carsfromitaly.com/lancia/index.html |archive-date=2005-03-24}} ''(accessed via the [[Digital time capsule|Wayback Machine]])''</ref> }} | wheelbase = {{convert|2670|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} - ''berlina''<br>{{convert|2555|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} - ''coupé''<ref name="Auto Katalog">{{cite journal | title=Auto Katalog | journal=Autokatalog Modelljahr | publisher=[[:de:Motor Presse Stuttgart|Motor Presse Stuttgart]] | year=1983 | issn= 0949-0884 |pages=220–221}} - technical data based on 1982/83 models</ref> | length = {{ubl |{{convert|4580|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} - ''berlina'' |{{convert|4485|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} - ''coupé''<ref name="Auto Katalog"/> }} | width = {{convert|1730|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="Auto Katalog"/> | height = {{ubl |{{convert|1410|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} - ''berlina'' |{{convert|1330|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} - ''coupé''<ref name="Auto Katalog"/> }} | weight = {{ubl |{{convert|1320|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} - ''berlina'' |{{convert|1290|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} - ''coupé''<ref name="carsfrom"/> }} | aka = | related = [[Lancia Beta]]<ref name="carsfrom"/> | designer = {{ubl |[[Leonardo Fioravanti (engineer)|Leonardo Fioravanti]]<ref name="design">{{cite web|url=https://driventowrite.com/2016/02/12/lancia-gamma-history-part-seven-styling/|title=Gamma: Signs and Portents – Part Seven|website=driventowrite.com|date=12 February 2016 |access-date=27 September 2024}}</ref> at [[Pininfarina]] (saloon) |[[Aldo Brovarone]] at Pininfarina (coupé)<ref name="carsfrom"/> }} | assembly = Italy: [[Turin]] }} The '''Lancia Gamma''' (Tipo 830), stylised '''Lancia [[Gamma|γ]]''', is an [[executive car]] ([[E-segment]] in Europe) manufactured and marketed by the [[Lancia]] subdivision of [[Fiat]]. Following its debut at the [[Geneva Motor Show#1976|1976 Geneva Motor Show]]<ref name="carsfrom"/> as Lancia's new [[Flagship car|flagship]], the Gamma was marketed as a 4-door [[fastback]] [[Sedan (automobile)|saloon]] known as the '''Berlina''' (1976–1984) and as a 2-door [[coupé]] (1977–1984), both designed by [[Pininfarina]] &ndash; with 15,272 and 6,790 manufactured, respectively.<ref name="pininfarina.it">{{cite web|url=http://www.pininfarina.it/repository/Gruppo/Produzionecomplessiva.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605081310/http://www.pininfarina.it/repository/Gruppo/Produzionecomplessiva.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-05|title=PRODUZIONE COMPLESSIVA|access-date=2007-08-03|work=pininfarina.it}}</ref> The Gamma superseded the [[Lancia 2000]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lancasterinsurance.co.uk/news/2021/february/22/do-you-remember-the-lancia-gamma-berlina/|website=lancasterinsurance.co.uk|title=DO YOU REMEMBER – THE LANCIA GAMMA BERLINA?|access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref> The Gamma nameplate will be revived as a crossover Suv in 2026.

==Design== Lancia Gamma saloon was designed at the [[Pininfarina]] design studio by [[Leonardo Fioravanti (engineer)|Leonardo Fioravanti]], under the direction of Centro Stile Lancia's Sergio Camuffo. Early design proposals with different rear portion were created by [[Aldo Brovarone]] who would later design the coupé version. Fioravanti based the design on the 1967 [[BMC ADO17#BMC 1800 Aerodinamica|Pininfarina BMC 1800 Aerodynamica]] concept car designed by [[Paolo Martin]] to which Fioravanti also contributed.<ref name="design"/>

The fastback style of the Berlina featured a conventional boot at the rear, rather than a [[hatchback]]. At the car's press launch Pininfarina said a hatchback was avoided to save the inconvenience to back seat passengers, when luggage is loaded, from ostensible drafts.<ref name=Autocar197606>{{cite magazine |title = Top of the Lancia gamut|magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] | volume = 144 nbr 4155| pages =68–70| date = 26 June 1976}}</ref>

== Etymology == [[Gamma]] is the third letter of the [[Greek alphabet]]. Lancia had used Greek letters to denote its models before 1945, and the nomenclature was revived with the [[Lancia Beta]] in 1971, the first Lancia developed under Fiat supervision. The Gamma is also shared [[front-wheel drive]] and suspension elements from the Beta.<ref name="carsfrom" />

<gallery widths="200" heights="145"> File:1982 Lancia Gamma Coupe Fi Automatic 2.5 Front.jpg|Lancia Gamma Coupé (front). File:Werkplaats achterzij.JPG|Lancia Gamma Coupé (rear). File:Lancia Gamma di Viterbo.jpg|Lancia Gamma Berlina (front). File:Silver Lancia Gamma Berlina rear (cropped).jpg|Lancia Gamma Berlina (rear). File:Lancia Gamma Armaturenbrett (52678074321).jpg|Dashboard of a Lancia Gamma </gallery>

== Engines == [[File:Lancia Gamma Engine.jpg|left|thumb|A Lancia Gamma flat-four engine]] The Lancia Gamma is a front-wheel-drive car with a [[Longitudinal engine|longitudinally-mounted]] [[boxer engine]] and a 5-speed manual transmission, later joined by an optional 4-speed [[automatic transmission]].<ref name="carsfrom"/> The Gamma received a mid cycle face-lift, receiving Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection as well as a new corporate grille, 15-inch "sunburst" alloy wheels, and a revised interior with new instrumentation, interior lighting, badging, handbrake and [[gear lever]] gaiter.

Though Fiat had planned to use one of their [[V6 engine]]s, Lancia developed unique [[flat-four engine]]s for the Gamma. The [[Lancia Flavia|Flavia]] and Flavia Coupé had used 1.8 and 2.0 litre flat-fours and the [[Lancia 2000]] used the 2.0-litre version. Engine designer De Virgilio also drew up a four-cam [[V6 engine]] for the Gamma with either 3- or 4-litre displacement, but this never came to fruition.

The flat engine, though large for a modern four-cylinder petrol engine, lacked the cachet associated with six- and eight-cylinder engines but enabled Pininfarina chief stylist [[Aldo Brovarone]] to lower the coupé's bonnet line and to steeply rake its windscreen. Pressure cast in alloy with wet cylinder liners, the engine was light and though it only produced {{cvt|140|PS|kW|0}}, {{cvt|120|PS|kW|0}} in 2.0-litre form, 95% of its maximum torque was available at just 2,000&nbsp;rpm.

Initially available with a displacement of 2.5&nbsp;L ('''Gamma 2500'''), it was later joined by a 2.0&nbsp;L version ('''Gamma 2000'''), which resulted from the Italian tax system (cars with engines larger than 2.0&nbsp;L were subject to a heavier tax burden). The displacement was lowered by decreasing the [[bore (engine)|bore]] rather than the [[stroke (engine)|stroke]] of the engine. Both displacements were using [[Weber carburetor]]s, and the 2.5&nbsp;L also came in a version fitted with fuel injection ('''Gamma 2500 I.E.''')<ref name="carsfrom"/><ref name="Auto Katalog"/>

The most notorious aspect of the Gamma's engine related to the design of the power steering pump. The Gamma's engine utilized timing belts rather than the timing chains used in older Lancia flat-four models. Also, rather than powering the power steering pump using the traditional accessory belt, it was instead directly connected to the left hand side camshaft on the back of the engine. This created a design flaw in which applying too much load on the power steering pump (such as when starting the engine or turning the wheel to full lock) could cause the timing belt to skip or snap, causing serious damage to the engine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gamma Consortium |url=https://www.lanciagammaconsortium.info/htmlfr/gamma003.htm |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=www.lanciagammaconsortium.info}}</ref>

* {{cvt|1999|cc|L|1|disp=flip}} [[carburetor]] 8v [[SOHC]] [[flat-4]] - {{cvt|120|PS|kW hp|0}} (1st series) {{cvt|115|PS|kW hp|0}} (2nd series)<ref name="Auto Katalog"/> * {{cvt|2484|cc|L|1|disp=flip}} carburetor 8v SOHC flat-4 - {{cvt|140|PS|kW hp|0}}<ref name="Auto Katalog"/> * {{cvt|2484|cc|L|1|disp=flip}} [[fuel injection|I.E.]] 8v SOHC flat-4 - {{cvt|140|PS|kW hp|0}}<ref name="Auto Katalog"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;" |- ! colspan=15| Lancia Gamma Coupé production figures* |- ! Series ! 1976 ! 1977 ! 1978 ! 1979 ! 1980 ! 1981 ! 1982 ! 1983 ! 1984 ! Totals |- |1||9||1,006||2,064||1,236||||||||||||rowspan="2"|6,790 |- |2||||||||37||1,225||952||176||51||33 |} ''*stated by Pininfarina production records''<ref name="pininfarina.it" />

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;" |- ! colspan=5| Lancia Gamma Coupé version figures |- ! ! 2.0 ! 2.5 ! 2.5 ie ! Total |- ||Series 1<br/>1976-79||1,978||2,337||||4,315 |- ||Series 2<br/>1980-84||1,265||||1,209||2,474 |- ||Total||3,243||colspan="2" | 3,546||6,789 |}

== Concepts == Several concepts were developed from the Gamma Platform over the years:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carsfromitaly.net/lancia/concepts_lancia.html |title=Lancia Concept Cars @ www.CarsfromItaly.com |publisher=Carsfromitaly.net |access-date=2016-01-21}}</ref> * 1977 [[Pininfarina]] Gamma Spider &mdash; a [[targa top]] version of [[coupé]]. * 1977 [[Italdesign]] [[Lancia Megagamma|Megagamma]] &mdash; a short-nosed [[minivan|MPV (multi-purpose vehicle)]] [[hatchback]]-bodied variant. * 1980 Pininfarina Gamma Scala &mdash; a [[Sedan (automobile)|saloon]], based on the coupé but with a regular [[notchback]] boot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carsfromitaly.net/lancia/concepts/gamscala.html |title=Lancia Gamma Scala @ CarsfromItaly |publisher=Carsfromitaly.net |access-date=2016-01-21}}</ref> * 1981 Saloon &mdash; a Berlina-based six-window [[three-box styling|three-box]], notchback saloon variant designed by Centro Stile Lancia. * 1982 Pininfarina Gamma Olgiata &mdash; a three-door [[shooting brake]], based on the coupé; similar in concept to the [[Lancia Beta|Lancia Beta HPE]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carsfromitaly.net/lancia/concepts/gamolgiata.html |title=Lancia Gamma Olgiata @ CarsfromItaly |publisher=Carsfromitaly.net |access-date=2016-01-21}}</ref> <gallery mode="packed"> File:Lancia gamma4.jpg|1981 Saloon File:Lancia Gamma Olgiata 1982 schräg.JPG|1982 [[Pininfarina]] Gamma Olgiata. </gallery>

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category|Lancia Gamma}} * {{cite web |last1=Doyle |first1=Eóin |title=Signs and Portents |url=https://driventowrite.com/2016/08/08/lancia-gamma-profile-history-development/ |website=Driven to Write |access-date=17 October 2025 |date=8 August 2016 |postscript=none}} – a "long read" about the Gamma * [http://www.lanciagamma.altervista.org/ Italian website on Lancia Gamma] * [http://www.lancisti.net/ Lancisti.net - An Information Exchange and Support Community for Lancia Owners and Enthusiasts] * [http://www.GammaConsortium.com Gamma Consortium] * [http://www.lanciamotorclub.co.uk Lancia Motor Club (UK)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930133039/http://www.lanciamotorclub.co.uk/ |date=2011-09-30 }}

{{Lancia}} {{Lancia Post War}} {{Lancia modern timeline}} [[Category:1980s cars]] [[Category:Cars introduced in 1976]] [[Category:Cars discontinued in 1984]] [[Category:Coupés]] [[Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles]] [[Category:Executive cars]] [[Category:Lancia vehicles|Gamma]] [[Category:Sedans]] [[Category:Cars powered by boxer engines]] [[Category:Pininfarina|Lancia Gamma]] [[Category:Flagship vehicles]]