Both transmit engine power very efficiently (from 150 to 230 bhp) so that the car behaves impeccably and homogeneously at all times. And they are easy and pleasant to use, allowing whoever is at the wheel to control even a car as large as the Lancia Thesis with ease and confidence. 

The modern 5-speed automatic transmission is available with the two top range-topping petrol engines, the 3.0 and the 3.2 V6 24v, as well as the 2.4 20v and the 2.4 JTD 20v. The manual gearbox is available with the 2.0 turbo soft, the 2.4 20v, the 2.4 JTD 10v and the new 2.4 JTD 20v. 

the automatic transmission

Several of the parameters of the automatic transmission that equips the Lancia Thesis were revised and tested in extreme conditions, from the cold of Sweden to the heat of Sicily, pushing the device beyond the limits of normal use. The result is a gearbox that is even more user-friendly than the previous one, offering even greater comfort, to respect the brand's policy of continuous improvement.

But the characteristics that make this device one of the most innovative in its segment have obviously remained the same. To start with, the automatic transmission on the Thesis has 5 speeds (the fifth is an overdrive on the 3.2 V6 24v, and a power speed on the 2.4 JTD 20v) instead of the usual four. And it is really two gearboxes instead of one. By moving the lever vertically in its gate, the driver chooses between the normal positions P, R, N and D. But if he moves the gearshift to the left from the latter position, in the area marked with a '+' and a '-', the automatic unit is transformed into a sequential manual gearbox. Which lets the driver take complete control of the choice of ratios, helped only by warnings from the control unit (the beeper and a telltale on the instrument panel) if the car over-revs due to an oversight. But with all the freedom of a normal manual gearbox, including the possibility of starting in second or third when surface grip is poor.

However the device's most innovative functions are found in automatic mode, with a sophisticated gearbox that: 
- is linked to all the electronic control systems on the car, so that it interacts with the VDC, ABS and the entire braking system, as well as the engine; 
- is easy to manoeuvre because there is no button to press to move the gearshift from one position to another;
- is safe because the gate in which the shift moves prevents the gear from being accidentally disengaged;
- is self-adaptive, because it 'recognises' the motorist's driving style in just a few seconds and adapts its response to the habits of the person at the wheel; to do this, the electronic control unit adopts several gear-change maps, which can favour fuel economy, normal driving or a sportier style.

In addition to these basic features, there are several other interesting functions. For example:

- at traffic lights the driver only has to touch the brake pedal lightly (and not depress it completely as he would on most other cars), because the automatic transmission on the Lancia Thesis incorporates 'Neutral control', which eliminates the typical creep when the car is stationary, thus enhancing driving comfort, and reducing vibration and consumption;

- if the driver brakes sharply, the control unit understands that he wishes to stop the car in the shortest possible distance, and it changes down to exploit the engine brake, just as he would do with a manual gearbox ('Braking' function);

- on 'difficult' corners (indicated by the different speeds of the inside and offside wheels) the system maintains the same ratio even if the driver asks for more power; this has the dual advantage of greater safety on the steered wheels and a faster exit from the bend, thanks to the generous torque reserve which lets the car change up straight away ('Cornering' function);

- on mountain roads the Thesis driver can relax and enjoy the absence of noise because, both up and downhill, the control unit of the automatic transmission adopts logics (Up1 - Up2 - Down) that reduce the number of gear changes, guaranteeing greater comfort and enhancing safety downhill, thanks to the assistance of the engine brake;

- the flagship responds perfectly in all situations; on mixed routes, for example, when the accelerator is released fast, the logic of the system ('Fast off') responds by maintaining the gear engaged instead of changing up, because it understands that it will soon be followed by pressure on the brake. When starting on snow-covered roads, or any road where grip is poor, the gearbox may decide autonomously to start in second or third to exploit all available grip; and it will continue with gear changes that are 'pondered' to guarantee maximum stability ('Low µ' function), and may start off again from a stop in a higher ratio to avoid wheel slip;

- when the Thesis is parked it cannot be started or moved by an accidental manoeuvre (a child's curiosity, an involuntary jolt): the 'shift lock' means that in order to move the gear shift from the P position to any other, it is necessary to press the brake pedal, as a small icon right on the gearbox reminds the driver;

- the system protects against any oversight: for example, by making it impossible to remove the key from the ignition if the gear lever is not in P ('Key lock'); and with a series of acoustic warnings that signal situations of possible danger; as in the case described above, when reverse is engaged, or if the driver's door should open when the engine is running.