Lancia Thema History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Announced in 1984 and launched publicly at the Turin Motor Show that November, the Thema (Tipo 834) was Lancia's entry-level executive car — a joint-platform project with Saab (9000), Fiat (Croma), and Alfa Romeo (164) called Progetto Tipo Quattro. The Thema's broad engine range stretched from diesel fours to a 3.0-litre Alfa V6 and a PRV 2.8-litre V6.
Its most remarkable variant was the Thema 8·32 (1986–1992), which used a 2,927 cc Ferrari V8 derived from the Ferrari 308/Mondial engine, making approximately 215 hp and giving the otherwise sedate saloon genuine supercar performance. Over 336,000 Thema saloons were built alongside 21,074 Pininfarina estate wagons; production ended in 1994 as Lancia withdrew from right-hand-drive markets.
Body styles
- Saloon
- Estate
Notable special editions & performance variants
Thema 8·32
Ferrari V8-powered executive saloon — 2,927 cc, ~215 hp, with a Ferrari badge on the cam cover; among the most unusual factory sleepers of the era.
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