The new Lancia Thema debuts at 2011 Geneva Motor Show, writing a new chapter in the legendary story of the brand. The first global flagship that combines the best of two worlds, the new rear-drive vehicle was created based on the Chrysler 300 and is ready, like the first Thema back in 1984, to take on the toughest, but also the most prestigious segment, striving to offer, at long last, a genuine alternative. To achieve this objective, the new Thema combines size, comfort and impressive road presence, typically American characteristics, with the luxury of Poltrona Frau® leather interiors, the cocooning silence of large Lancias and the attention to detail that all express the best of Italian design.
On sale from October 2011 in all European dealerships, Lancia Thema is available in two trim levels - Gold and Platinum - and three engine versions: the 292 HP 3.6L V6 petrol engine with 8-speed automatic gearbox and the 190 HP or 224 HP 3.0L V6 diesel engines, both with 5-speed automatic gearbox.
Style
Measuring 5084 mm long, 1507 mm high, 1891 wide and with a wheelbase of 3051 mm, the new Thema stands out in the luxury saloon category thanks to its contemporary, distinctive style. On the front end, the grille brings together the Lancia logo and the horizontal bars expressing precision and formal rigour, in a single design. The chrome-plated finish of the bars and the outline of the logo create a particular contrast inside the frame, which is also chrome-plated. The whole look is enhanced by two innovative headlights with LED technology and the DRL function, which together form a "C" shape for unmistakable and impressive road presence.The profile of the new Lancia flagship highlights the distinctive proportions of its predecessor, with the addition of luxury finishings which lend a stylish appearance. The sturdy front end joins with the lines of the roof, blending with the three-quarters of the back characterised by the unmistakable rear light clusters that complete the silhouette. What's more, the angle of the windscreen guarantees an aerodynamic effect and the slim pillars enable the driver to benefit from excellent visibility.
Rounding off the car's outstanding finishing, the rear end features a built-in spoiler with the Lancia logo sitting proudly below. Capable of lighting up the darkest night, the two harmoniously designed LED tail lights are linked by a chrome-plated fascia which underlines the class of the new flagship. The muscular front is echoed by two chrome-plated exhaust tail pipes which offer a stylistic reminder of the performance of the engines in the range.
Luxury and comfort
new Thema combines segment-leading standards with the unmistakable comfort and luxury that has always set Lancia cars apart. The interiors reveal a unique style and offer passengers excellent comfort, with soft touch materials, luxury interior trims with the option of heated seats in Nappa leather and a Poltrona Frau® leather-clad dashboard, as well as real wood inserts on the centre console, panels, doors and steering wheel. In addition, the dashboard has a three-dimensional effect, enhanced by discreet chrome finishing and by a dashboard with innovative double cluster design featuring Sapphire Blue lighting, a colour also used for the passenger compartment LED lighting. Moreover, in order to guarantee "best-in-class" comfort, the seats have been designed with new architecture which includes serpentine spring suspension (S-shaped). The front seats offer four-way lumbar adjustment with up/down and front/back direction actuators and density adjuster.
Maximising the innovative, ultra-rigid structural design, the Lancia Thema unveils a best-in-class noise level inside the passenger compartment. The presence of two underbody panels in a composite material, a laminated windshield and windows, noise absorbing panels in the passenger compartment and in the cavities of the wheel arches all ensure excellent absorption of road noise and a significant improvement in on-board comfort.
Lastly, numerous components have been specially designed for the chassis of the new Thema with a view to guaranteeing the best driving and handling dynamics for all kinds of road surfaces and climate conditions. In particular, the innovative multi-link front and rear suspension system features a wishbone layout which, thanks to its high flexibility, keeps the wheels perpendicular to the road when cornering, ensuring maximum grip. The shock absorber has also been specifically designed to absorb every stress produced by a less than perfect road surface. The final result is an extremely quiet passenger compartment with virtually no external noise, with the motion of the car as it travels along the road barely perceptible.
Engines
Designed to deliver outstanding efficiency about town and on longer journeys, the Lancia Thema offers a choice of three different 6-cylinder engines, all with automatic transmission and rear wheel drive: the advanced 292 HP 3.6L V6 petrol engine with 8-speed automatic gearbox and the 190 HP or 224 HP 3.0L V6 diesel engines, both with 5-speed automatic gearbox.
The petrol engine is a Pentastar V6 by Chrysler Group featuring the latest technology - in compliance with Euro 5 legislation - which enables the six cylinders to deliver 292 HP at 6400 rpm and maximum torque of 353 Nm at 4800 rpm with CO2 emissions of 199 g/km (combined cycle consumption: 8.3l/100km). This equipment level allows the new Thema to achieve a top speed of 230 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds: this result is also partly thanks to the new 8-speed gearbox.
The two Euro 5 diesel engines, supplied by the Italian manufacturer VM - leader in high-performance diesel power units - deliver 190 HP and 224 HP respectively and come with a 5-speed automatic gearbox. Specifically, the 224 HP version boasts a maximum torque of 550 Nm at 1600-2800 rpm.
On-board technology
Lancia Thema presents the innovative Uconnect® infotelematic system plus new on-board technology designed to keep passengers connected, safe and completely comfortable. From the touchscreen satellite navigation system and dual-zone climate control to the option of customising on-board functions, the Uconnect® Touch system guarantees an outstanding experience for driver and passengers alike. Fitted as standard on the new flagship, the system features a large 8.4 inch touchscreen with easy-to-use controls, and allows users to connect and manage their peripheral devices (mobile phones or MP3 players). Furthermore, on the Platinum trim level, Lancia Thema offers the exclusive Garmin satellite navigation system as standard which includes TMC Premium services, plus a premium audio system with 9 speakers and subwoofer for a total of 506W amplification.
Active and passive safety
Lancia Thema offers more than 70 advanced active and passive safety features, including the Keyless Enter-N-Go and the electronic stability system (ESC) fitted as standard with the exclusive Ready Alert Braking and Rain Brake Support devices, designed to further enhance the handling and road performance of the car, plus Active Pedestrian Protection to safeguard pedestrians in the event of accidental impact. To ensure maximum visibility at night and in all poor light conditions, Lancia Thema offers Xenon Smartbeam™ self-adaptive headlights as standard.
Also available on request are a number of innovative, distinctive features which make the new Lancia model the true benchmark for the category.
Adaptive Speed Control (ACC) and Forward Collision Warning (FCS)
The limitations of traditional cruise control systems are overcome by Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). When the vehicle reaches another slower vehicle travelling in front, the ACC system adjusts the speed and (if necessary) activates braking to maintain a safe distance in the way pre-selected by the driver, allowing the latter to avoid frequent manual intervention. This equates to a far more relaxing, comfortable driving experience for the driver. This feeling of safety and wellbeing on board is further enhanced by Forward Collision Warning (FCS), the supplementary function which alerts the driver in the event of a potential collision. Lastly, the Adaptive Cruise Control system is optimised to prevent the undesirable consequences of high fuel consumption.
Blind Spot Detection
A visual indicator on the door mirror signals entry into the blind spot, namely the dangerous situation of having a car travelling alongside which is not visible in the door mirror. When the indicator is used to signal an intended lane change, a visual and audible alarm alerts the driver to check the position of vehicles around him very carefully before manoeuvring.
Cross Path Detection
The system prevents the risk of collisions at low speeds: a number of sensors detect the presence of moving vehicles while the driver is reversing.
Parkview(Tm) Rear Back-Up Camera
When reverse gear is engaged, a camera is automatically activated, showing the view of the road on an 8.4 inch screen built into the dashboard. This function ensures maximum safety for the driver, other vehicles and, above all, pedestrians.
Smartbeam™ and Hid Headlamps
Intelligent xenon headlights which automatically adjust in height and depth in order to guarantee maximum visibility, through a sensor that detects surrounding traffic/lighting conditions.
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