Lancia Thesis

{{short description|Full-size car (2001–2009)}} {{use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox automobile | image = Lancia Thesis Centenario - Grigio Palladio (cropped).jpg | caption = Lancia Thesis Centenario | name = Lancia Thesis | manufacturer = {{ubl |[[Fiat Auto]] (2001–2007) |[[FCA Italy|Fiat Group Automobiles]] (2007–2009) }} | production = 2001–2009<ref name="www.italiaspeed.com/2009" /> | predecessor = [[Lancia Kappa]] | successor = [[Chrysler 300#Second generation|Lancia Thema II]] | class = [[Full-size car]] ([[F-segment|F]]) | assembly = '''Italy:''' [[Turin]] {{ubl |[[Rivalta di Torino|Rivalta]] plant (2001–2002) |[[Mirafiori]] plant }} | layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, front-wheel-drive]] | engine = {{ubl | '''[[Petrol engine|Petrol]]:''' | 2.0 L ''[[Fiat Pratola Serra modular engines|Fiat family C]]'' [[Multi-valve|20V]] [[Turbocharger|turbo]] [[Straight-five engine|I5]] | 2.4 L ''Fiat family C'' 20V I5 | 3.0 L ''[[Alfa Romeo V6 engine|Alfa Romeo]]'' 24V [[V6 engine|V6]] | 3.2 L ''Alfa Romeo'' 24V V6 | '''[[Diesel engine|Diesel]]:''' | 2.4 L ''[[JTD engine|JTD]]'' 20V I5 }} | transmission = {{ubl |5-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]] |6-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] }} | wheelbase = {{convert|2800|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|4890|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | width = {{convert|1830|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|1470|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | weight = 1680–1895 kg (3703–4177 lb) | body_style = 4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]] | designer = {{ubl|Centro Stile Lancia: |[[Mike Robinson (designer)|Mike Robinson]]<ref name="ajovalo.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.ajovalo.net/muotoilijat.htm |title=Designer|accessdate=2012-02-08|work=Ajovalo}}</ref> |[[Flavio Manzoni]]<ref name="autodesignmagazine.com">{{cite web|url=http://autodesignmagazine.com/en/2002/08/lancia-thesis-intreccio-di-idee/|title=Lancia Thesis, interweaving ideas|accessdate=2019-02-08|work=Auto & Design}}</ref> (interior) }} }} The '''Lancia Thesis''' (Type 841) is a [[full-size car]] produced by Italian automaker [[Lancia]] between 2001 and 2009. It was available with [[naturally aspirated]] and [[turbocharged]] engines ranging between 2.0 and 3.2 litres in both [[straight-5]] or [[V6]] configurations. The design was based on the [[Lancia Diàlogos]] concept car unveiled in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vaughan |first=Daniel |date=May 2010 |title=1998 Lancia Dialogos Concept |url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z1512/lancia-dialogos-concept.aspx |access-date=23 March 2023 |website=Conceptcarz.com}}</ref> The production car premiered at the [[2001 Geneva Motor Show]] and its interior was displayed for the first time at the [[Frankfurt Motor Show]] that same year. Sales started in June 2002 in Italy, with export markets following shortly after.<ref name="italiaspeed.com/news_2002">{{cite web|url=http://www.italiaspeed.com/news_2002_05.html|title=4th June 2002: Fiat Auto head denies restructuring talks with GM |accessdate=2008-02-06|work=Italiaspeed}}</ref>

== History == [[File:Papamobil Lancia (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|Lancia Giubileo]] The earliest prototype of the Thesis, called '''Giubileo''',<ref>{{cite web|title=New Popemobile Is $1.5-Million Lancia|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-30-hw-48822-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=4 February 2015|date=30 December 1999}}</ref> was used in the [[Great Jubilee]], presented to [[Pope John Paul II]], bearing the production version's design yet modified as a [[Landaulet (car)|landaulet]]. Lancia's chief designer's remarks on the design were: "People will be looking for excuses not to buy this car. So, we wanted to be damn sure we didn't give them anything to hook onto."<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30">CAR magazine, February 2002:30</ref> To that end, the car was intended to compete with the [[Audi A6]] and [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class]]. Due to this reason, it had more luxurious features and technological advancements.<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30" />

In order to attract buyers, the Thesis was priced to be 15% cheaper than the competition. In the view of motoring writer Paul Horrell of the United Kingdom's magazine ''[[Car (magazine)|Car]]'', the shape was "controversial, but certainly regenerates an authentic Italian alternative to the po-faced approach" of the competition. He added: "Look at that extravagant front end, like a row of chrome-decorated sand dunes. The whole form is plump and carries telling details of [[bi-xenon]] headlights and multi-LED blades of tail-lamp – a comfortably fed and well-jewelled car like the folk who'll drive it."<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30" />

Regarding the interior, Horrell went on to say: "The effect is redoubled within. The cabin is truly rich and walks the right side of that line in Italian style dividing the perfectly proportioned minimalism from their bling-bling rap-star Versace vulgarity."<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30" /> A notable feature of the interior was the use of high-quality, lightly varnished wood trim and cast magnesium for the centre console. Horrell wrote: "I can't tell you how much more satisfying it is to use a cupholder or ashtray that glides out of solid metal than some clacky plastic lid."<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30" /> After describing the engraved glassware of the instruments, which were notable for what he called their needles "floating at depth", Horrell concluded that "it felt expensive".<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30" />

[[File:Lancia Thesis – Heckansicht, 22. Februar 2012, Wülfrath.jpg|thumb|left|Rear view of the Thesis]] Lancia invested heavily in the Thesis. Unlike its predecessor, the [[Lancia Kappa|Kappa]], which shared its platform with the [[Alfa Romeo 166]], the Thesis was designed with its own chassis.<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30" /> In the words of Horrell, the car was fitted with a "complicated [[Multi-link suspension|multi-arm]] aluminium-intensive suspension at both ends, augmented by [[Mannesmann Sachs]] '[[Skyhook suspension|Skyhook]]' adaptive dampers", which were used on the [[Maserati Spyder]].<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30" /> It is the first Lancia automobile with radar [[adaptive cruise control]], which was made by Bosch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europe.autonews.com/article/20010924/ANE/109240814/launch-of-top-of-the-range-lancia-thesis-is-delayed-further | first =Luca | last=Ciferre | title=Launch of top-of-the-range Lancia Thesis is delayed further |publisher=Europe.autonews.com |date=2001-09-24 |accessdate=2016-01-20}}</ref> The Thesis was also the first production car to introduce an [[electric parking brake]], although the new [[BMW 7 Series (E65)|BMW 7 Series]], introduced the same year with an electric parking brake, technically beat the Thesis to production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features/ph-origins-electronic-parking-brakes/37911|title=PH Origins: Electronic parking brakes|access-date=13 May 2025}}</ref>

Describing the driving quality, Horrell wrote: "You can tell it's a heavy car, but there's no distress in letting this [test car with the V6 engine] build up a gentle sweat. Its autobox is attentive and smooth. The engine, though quieter than in any Alfa, is all you hear because road and wind noise have been quashed. Ditto rattles. This is a tight ship."<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30" /> He added: "The Thesis' ride is just terrific. It swallows big lumps, whatever your speed. Yet there's no heaving in distress; the adjustable dampers keep body motion in check. They're even better when the stress is lateral; considering the pillowy straight-line character, cornering roll is amazingly well-controlled."<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30" />

The main criticism was the steering, which was considered by Horrell to be too light, and the slight tendency to understeer leading to intrusion of the ESP system. In conclusion, Horrell summed up the Thesis as being "far more accurate and even agile than it has any right to be."<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30" /> Period reviewers suggested that the car was a good product in the wrong market segment. In this view, it would have been better to offer a vehicle in the [[Ford Mondeo]] price range rather than the more conservative sector contested by the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class.<ref name="driven">{{cite web|url=http://driventowrite.com/2014/05/12/2002-lancia-thesis-3-0-v6-review/#more-2218 |title=2002 Lancia Thesis 3.0 V6 Review |publisher=Driven To Write |date=2014-05-12 |accessdate=2016-01-20}}</ref>

The Thesis is equipped with 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic Comfortronic, which is available for all but 2.0 models. The interior was trimmed with leather or the suede-like [[Alcantara (material)|Alcantara]] material long favoured by Lancia. The verdict of ''Car'' stated: "If Lancia can be turned around this is the car for the job."<ref name="CAR magazine, February 2002:30" /> Despite its very comprehensive equipment level and the improved fit and finish, sales remained well behind its predecessor, quite far behind the competition due to reasons such as its odd looks and front-wheel drive layout.<ref name="driven"/> When the model was discontinued at the beginning of 2009, only 16,000 units were built.<ref name="autonews.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101213/ANE/101219971/1423|title=Lancia to unveil Chrysler-based flagship, new Ypsilon|accessdate=2010-12-13|work=Automotive News}}</ref> The Thesis was replaced in 2011 by a new flagship sedan, based on the [[Chrysler 300]], rebranded in continental Europe as the [[Lancia Thema]].<ref name="www.italiaspeed.com/2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.italiaspeed.com/2009/cars/industry/10/chrysler/1410_chrysler_lancia.html|title=Chrysler and Lancia Brands Drawn Together by Fiat|date=15 October 2009|accessdate=2010-12-13|work=Italiaspeed}}</ref><ref name="leftlanenews.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.leftlanenews.com/lancia-chrysler-to-share-products.html|title=Lancia, Chrysler to share products|accessdate=2010-12-13|work=Leftlane News}}</ref>

== Models == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;" |- !Model !Power !Torque !Displacement !Engine !Top speed !0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) (seconds) !Years |- style="background:#fff;" |2.0 Turbo 20V manual||{{convert|185|PS|kW hp|abbr=on}} at 5,500 rpm||{{convert|308|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}} at 2,200 rpm||1,998 cc||straight-5||{{convert|224|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}||8.9||until 2007 |- style="background:#fff;" |2.4 20V manual||{{convert|170|PS|kW hp|abbr=on|0}} at 6,000 rpm||{{convert|226|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}} at 3,500 rpm||2,446 cc||straight-5||{{convert|217|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}||9.5||until 2007 |- style="background:#fff;" |2.4 20V automatic||{{convert|170|PS|kW hp|abbr=on|0}} at 6,000 rpm||{{convert|226|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}} at 3,500 rpm||2,446 cc||straight-5||{{convert|215|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}||10.9||until 2007 |- style="background:#fff;" |3.0 V6 24V automatic||{{convert|215|PS|kW hp|abbr=on}} at 6,300 rpm||{{convert|263|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}} at 5,000 rpm||2,959 cc||V6||{{convert|234|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}||9.2||until 2003 |- style="background:#fff;" |3.2 V6 24V automatic||{{convert|230|PS|kW hp|abbr=on|0}} at 6,200 rpm||{{convert|289|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}} at 4,800 rpm||3,179 cc||V6||{{convert|240|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}||8.8||until 2007 |- style="background:#fff;" |2.4 10V JTD||{{convert|150|PS|kW hp|abbr=on|0}} at 4,000 rpm||{{convert|305|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}} at 1,800 rpm||2,387 cc||straight-5||{{convert|206|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}||10.1||until 2005 |- style="background:#fff;" |2.4 Multijet automatic||{{convert|175|PS|kW hp|abbr=on}} at 4,000 rpm||{{convert|330|Nm|0|abbr=on}} @2000 rpm||2,387 cc||straight-5||{{convert|220|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}||9.8||2003–2006 |- style="background:#fff;" |2.4 Multijet manual||{{convert|175|PS|kW hp|abbr=on}} at 4,000 rpm||{{convert|380|Nm|0|abbr=on}} at 2,000 rpm||2,387 cc||straight-5||{{convert|225|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}||10.2||2003–2006 |- style="background:#fff;" |2.4 Multijet Comfortronic automatic||{{convert|185|PS|kW hp|abbr=on}} at 4,000 rpm|| {{convert|330|Nm|0|abbr=on}} at 1,750 rpm||2,387 cc||straight-5||{{convert|222|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}||9.7||from 2006 |}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;" |- ! colspan=15| Fuel consumption |- ! l/100 km ! 2.0 TB ! 2.4 ! 2.4 Auto ! 3.2 V6 Auto ! 2.4 20v JTD Auto |- ||Urban Extra-urban Combined||15.5 8.5 11.1||15.2 8.4 10.9||17.4 8.8 12.0||22.7 10.3 14.9||12.1 6.9 8.8 |- ||CO2 emissions g/km||264||260||286||355||234 |}

== One-offs and special editions == === Thesis Stola S85 === [[File:Lancia Thesis Stretch vr-EBV.jpg|thumb|Stola S85]] A {{convert|60|cm|in}} stretched [[limousine]] version prototype was shown at the [[2004 Geneva Motor Show]] having a length {{convert|5.49|m|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name="ultimatecarpage.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/1949/Lancia-Thesis-Stola-S85.html|title=Lancia Thesis Stola S85|accessdate=2007-12-14|work=Ultimatecarpage.com}}</ref> Made by [[Stola (automotive company)|Stola]], it was named as the Stola S85 to celebrate the Stola company's 85th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blutecsrl.it/en/concept-cars/lancia-thesis-s85/|title=Lancia Thesis S85|website=Blutecsrl.it|accessdate=19 July 2019}}</ref> The car is equipped with a beige leather interior and electrically adjustable rear seats. The car also has a minibar with a [[refrigerator]], a multimedia system with GPS navigation, internet access, fax machine, and a DVD player.<ref name="ultimatecarpage.com" /> With a {{convert|230|PS|kW hp|abbr=on|0}} V6 engine and all these extra features, the converted car weighs {{convert|2030|kg|0|abbr=on}},<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detailed specs review of 2004 Lancia Thesis Stola S85 model for Europe |url=https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/2004/1385300/lancia_thesis_stola_s85.html |access-date=23 March 2023 |website=Automobile-catalog.com}}</ref> and can accelerate from 0 to {{convert|100|km/h|mi/h|abbr=on}} in 9.2 seconds, with a top speed of {{convert|230|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Full performance review of 2004 Lancia Thesis Stola S85 (aut. 5) model for Europe |url=https://www.automobile-catalog.com/performance/2004/1385300/lancia_thesis_stola_s85.html |access-date=23 March 2023 |website=Automobile-catalog.com}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

== Further reading == * {{cite book|date=2008|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MXlTNwAACAAJ|title=Tutte le Lancia: 1906-2008|language=it|edition=3rd|publisher=Editoriale Domus|isbn=978-8-8721-2647-9|access-date=6 June 2023|via=Google Books}} * {{cite book|last1=Abbadessa|first1=Fedele|last2=Calcaterra|first2=Vanda|date=2002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bOrNAAAACAAJ|title=Lancia ammiraglie dall'Aurelia alla Thesis|publisher=Editoriale Domus|language=it|isbn=978-8-8721-2362-1|access-date=6 June 2023|via=Google Books}} * {{cite book|last1=Di Pietro|first1=Marco|last2=Schifano|first2=Maurizio|date=March 2021|chapter=Lancia Thesis. Destino avverso|editor-last=Greggio|editor-first=Fabrizio|title=Ruoteclassiche. Guida al Collezionismo: Lancia|language=it|issue=127|publisher=Editoriale Domus|pages=142–145}} * {{cite book|last1=Heinrich|first1=Robert J.|last2=De Vries|first2=Michael|date=2002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FcPiPQAACAAJ|title=Lancia Thesis: Faszination einer leidenschaftlichen Marke|publisher=Heel-Verlag|language=de|isbn=978-3-8988-0086-0|access-date=6 June 2023|via=Google Books}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Lancia Thesis}} * [http://www.lancisti.net/ Lancisti.net] – an information exchange and support community for Lancia owners and enthusiasts

[[Category:Cars introduced in 2001]] [[Category:Cars discontinued in 2009]] [[Category:Lancia vehicles|Thesis]] [[Category:Executive cars]] [[Category:Sedans]] [[Category:Retro-style automobiles]]