New Thema?

[Lindsay]

Don't know if this is official, but be nice if it is!

http://www.infomotori.com/a_ITA_21484_3.html

[stuwilson128]

What an awesome looking car! If it does become a reality, my new Delta could become a new Thema! 

[Scarpia]

beautiful;please let it be true.....
I suspect this is the more accurate version of the "Aurelia based on the Maserati floorpan" rumour that went around recently.Looks credible anyway
and there is the tantalising suggestion that the top version may be ferrari engined echoing the tradition of the 70's with fiat group cars (fiat dino, 130 and thema of course).

Better start arranging a bridging loan with the bank manager for the servicing costs of that version....

[fensaddler]

Makes market sense really.  Fiat can't sell big cars under its own brand, so the only way it has a chance of selling big cars is under its luxury brand, this being Lancia.  It will be interesting to know where they plan to pitch this - is it a Mondeo sized car going up against the A4, or something bigger gunning for the A6 and 5-series.  Might be the latter, since the latest I hear is that the Delta is built on a stretched Bravo floorpan, and is itself being pitched against the A4 rather than the A3, and the 3 series rather than the 1 series.  I'm a little sceptical however, not least if they priced it as an A4 competitor, its out of my budget, and if they price it in my budget it will be an A3 competitor, even if it is bigger - and the last I heard was that prices would be from mid-teens, so sub-A3 in terms of price.  Its all very intriguing.

[Scarpia]

I admire your optimism but with an engine range (according to the article) between 200 and 300 hp, its firmly in the high end A6/5 series catagory I'd say. Lets be honest, the thema was never a Mondeo competitor in its old version either.I had umpteen mondeo's as company cars but a thema was much more expensive

[m tulloch]

I agree that the exterior is striking, but the dash is AWFUL!!!!  :oThe "wood" looks like it comes from an American car from the 70s.
Probably be better with a real aluminium trim, not the plastic stuff mind.

[fensaddler]

You're right Scarpia - it sounds like the new Thema is a 5 series competitor, and as you say, high end at that.  But it does make sense in market terms (even if I'm rather doubtful wearing my environmental hat).  Which does leave the A3/A4 the target for the Delta - and I'm rather thinking that it will be more A3 than A4.  Perhaps they are leaving the A4 to the 159?

[toby2449]

oh my God i want one!!!!!!!!!!! Oh please please please let this be true. I remember reading in a magazine quite some time ago Lancia were thinking of bringing back the Thema badge as the Thesis sadly just hasn't worked for them. I'm a abig fan of wood in cars, so i like the interior, & i'd have to say it does look in some respect an evolution of the Thesis interior.

roll on 2010!!

[toby2449]

rear looks a bit weak though, too much Thesis in the lights!

[Scarpia]

tastes differ thankfully.I thought the lights and rear end were the best part of the thesis styling.I also like the wood in the dash.

[toby2449]

don't get me wrong, i love the lights & rear on the Thesis, but on the Thesis!