new 2011 Lancia flagship to go RWD...

[toby2449]

taken from ANE.....

   
Automotive historians will cry foul early next year when Lancia launches a new flagship based on the next-generation rear-wheel-drive Chrysler 300C.

Lancia is one of the true pioneers in applying front-wheel drive to mass production cars in Europe (the other is Citroen). Therefore, many expect diehard Lancia fans, know as Lancisti in Italy, to reject a rwd flagship.

But there is evidence that neither fwd nor rwd matters much to Lancia enthusiasts. Lancisti helped make the fwd Thema that debuted in 1984 a success but have turned their backs on the last two fwd flagships: the boring-looking Kappa (1994) and the overweight, underpowered Thesis (2001).

More proof that customers don't care about the difference between rwd and fwd came last week when BMW revealed that 80 percent of its 1-series owners believe the car is fwd.

The BMW brand doesn't even make an fwd car.

If the layout means that little to supposedly hyper-sensitive BMW buyers then Lancia has nothing to fear. The bottom line is that if the new Lancia flagship looks good and is properly priced, customers will like it – and buy it – regardless whether traction power comes from the front wheels or the back.

[neil-yaj396]

Many classic Lancias are of course RWD. In fact did Lancia make a FWD car when owned by the Lancia family? Didn't FWD only come in under the stewardship of Fessia with the Flavia/Fulvia?

As they say 'Back to the Future'!

It will be interesting to see if a big Lancia sells in RHD markets. The wide boy/drug dealer appeal of the 300C is a million miles away from the image of the Thema/Kappa/Thesis.

[Scarpia]

just need to find a suitably butch name to suite the us market and its success is assured;
"Titanic" for example.......

[thecolonel]

I'm happy as long as the marque keeps going