Premium

Lancia Thema 8.32 - the fast Maranello-Turin hybrid

Name: Lancia Thema 8.32 1988
Brand: Lancia

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on April 22, 2015

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Chrysler-Fiat Group (Lancia)

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Chrysler-Fiat Group (Lancia)

Archiv

48 1

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - of course the front-wheel drive sedan understeers, this serves the driving safety

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - from the front, the top model is distinguished from its peers by its Ferrari-inspired radiator grille

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - pure understatement

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - the yellow trim marks it as the most expensive Thema of its time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - how the top manager drove back then

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - over 200 hp and front-wheel drive, that was quite an announcement at the time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - the fast version can also be recognized by the extended rear wing

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - the driving pleasure is great

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - Giugiaro created an elegant limousine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - a yellow stripe and special alloy wheels characterize the noble model

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - Leather, deep-pile carpets and burl wood exude a living room atmosphere

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - Leather and burl wood in the cockpit

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - Steering wheel and dashboard completely covered in beautiful leather

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - red speed range only at 7500 rpm

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - even the fastest version of the Thema doesn't run quite as fast as the speedometer suggests

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - lots of additional information and air conditioning

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - automatically controlled air conditioning systems were still something out of the ordinary in the eighties

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - electric seat adjustment and seat heating was standard

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - the windows can of course be raised and lowered electrically

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - Enzo Ferrari is said to have enjoyed riding in the back of the Thema, naturally driven by a chauffeur

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - High-quality music for the people in the rear too, thanks to headphone sockets

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - the sound system in the rear was an optional extra

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - each passenger can adjust the volume individually

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - fuel-injected variant of the Quattrovalvole engine from Ferrari

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - the Ferrari V8 is installed transversely

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - at least in the engine compartment the relationship with Ferrari was allowed to be written on

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - beautiful engine construction

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - no horse here either, but at least a lettering

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - labeled like the half as expensive variants

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - same door handles, but discreet stripes for the top model

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - the motorized rear spoiler

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - more stability and downforce thanks to rear spoiler

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema (1988) - a 2.8 V6 i.e. of the second series

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema (1988) - a 2.0 i.e. 16V of the second series

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema (1988) - the Turbo 16V LX model from the second series

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 2.0 i.e. (1988) - a model of the second series

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1988) - elegant cockpit

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1988) - the transverse-mounted engine from the Ferrari 308 GTB Quattrovalvole

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema SW 2.0 i.e. (1989) - as a practical family estate car

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema (1986) - the elegant station wagon with the 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema Plus (1985) - Zagato study for elegant estate car with excellent visibility - Geneva Motor Show 1985

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Thema Station Wagon (1985) - shown at the IAA in Frankfurt in 1985

You have only

3 out of 48

images seen in high resolution

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - Understatement pur

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - der gelbe Zierstreifen markiert ihn als teuersten Thema seiner Zeit

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - so fuhr der Spitzenmanager von damals

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - über 200 PS und Frontantrieb, das war damals durchaus eine Ansage

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - am ausgefahrenen Heckflügel erkennt man die schnelle Variante auch

Lancia Thema 8.32 (1989) - der Fahrspass ist gross

Summary

In 1986, Lancia introduced the Thema 8.32, the top of its range. The saloon was around twice as expensive as the "simpler" Thema models and featured a Ferrari V8 engine with 32 valves and four overhead camshafts. The cars, which can be recognized from the outside by an electrically extending rear spoiler, have remained correspondingly rare. This driving report describes the history of the Lancia Thema 8.32 and invites you to take a test drive, supplemented by historical photographs and a sound sample.

This article contains the following chapters

A platform car
A marketing idea
Nobly equipped
Fast, but not super-fast
Opera arias from the engine compartment
Valuable
Driving pleasure
Further information can be found in

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

There would actually have been plenty of opportunities to convert a sedan into a super-fast yet comfortable means of transportation by installing a sports car engine. The engine of a Porsche 928 would probably have fitted under the hood of a Mercedes saloon, the Lamborghini V12 could perhaps have been accommodated in the Audi Bug and an Aston Martin engine could also have powered a Rover. But there are hardly any examples of saloons with sports car engines from other brands, with the exception of the Lancia Thema 8.32, which was created thanks to family ties within the Fiat Group. The Lancia Thema was the first of four saloons based on the "Tipo 4" saloon platform developed jointly by the manufacturers Lancia, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Saab. With the Thema, Lancia launched a luxury-class saloon that could replace both the Beta and the Gamma and became a successful model for the Turin-based manufacturer, which was built in three series until 1995.

Welcome to Zwischengas!