The
Thesis stars on the Lancia stand. Finally entering production a year behind
schedule after numerous teething problems and the transfer of the final
assembly line to the Mirafiori plant, Lancia claim an order book "above
expectations". With the Lancia brand coming under increasing pressure as
Fiat restuctures its way out of steep losses, the success of the Thesis
is seen as vital to the marques' survival.
The Lancia Thesis flagship is a deluxe executive saloon that puts the emphasis on elegance and high-tech engineering aiming to appeal to a motoring élite. The Lancia Thesis speaks a new formal language. Its volumes are full yet scored by long razor-sharp ridges while retro hints such as the high front end and long bonnet are offset by futuristic lines.
The passenger compartment is a luxurious, generous and protective environment. A big central column under the facia divides the two front seats to leave room for a high, wide armrest. This means that both front occupants can use the armrest simultaneously without getting in each other's way. The technological nerve centre of the Thesis is also housed in the central console: a seven-inch colour screen flanked on either side by switches for direct access to the various menus and complemented beneath by a row of reconfigurable keys. These are used to control the CONNECT system, a sophisticated integrated telematic device that connects users to the world of services offered by Targasys.
The seats are the very latest thing when it comes to comfort and ergonomics and offer attractive, brand-new features such as ventilation, heating, adaptivity and massage. Ventilation is achieved by three fans that blow air toward the occupant. The heating function warms the seats to one of three different temperature settings. The adaptability function allows the cushion and backrest to mould themselves to the occupant's physical shape. On the Comfort version, the seats are trimmed in ultra-soft Poltrona Frau leather. Air-filled sacks are inflated cyclically for a few minutes to administer a light massage.
The new Lancia flagship also offers one of the best rear passenger room ratings in the segment. Lancia expect many Thesis models to be driven by chauffeurs and with the owners sitting in the rear they have taken every step to ensure that such passengers are able to travel with appropriate style and dignity. The rear compartment is fitted with individual air outlets and the option of choosing an air temperature and flow pattern different from the setting selected at the front. A big fold-away armrest in the middle of the back seat can house a remote control for the TV and Hi-Fi system.
The top-quality materials include leather, ultra-soft Poltrona Frau leather, Alcantara and wool, an unusual trim material reminiscent of the famous Lancia cloth trim of the past. These cover the seats and form an unbroken central band around the passenger compartment. Trim quality is set off to perfection by an understated insert made out of wood: an open-pored untreated mahogany in which the natural grain is apparent.
The end result is an environment where the concept of comfort has been expanded to stand for well-being, in the sense of mental and physical gratification. When aboard the Lancia Thesis, well-being is truly multisensorial, because air, sound and light, strike occupants indirectly and are never over-invasive. Sound comes from the 11 speakers that form part of the ultra-sophisticated Bose Hi-Fi system. Air diffuses slowly from a broad band of micropores located in the upper part of the facia. The automatic climate control system electronic control unit also sets different temperatures and air distribution patterns in different parts of the car simultaneously. The sunroof incorporates solar cells to power the fan when the car has been parked under the sun. And a programmable supplementary heater ensures the passenger compartment is cosy even on the coldest days.
In-car well-being also means being able to customis the Thesis using the Lancia Personal Selection system that can be used to customise car settings directly via the CONNECT system. A Ride Set-up Memory also allows individual adjustment of the front seats, rear view mirrors and steering wheel to the drivers specification which is then memorised. The innovative Keyless System makes it easy and convenient to get into your Lancia Thesis and start the engine. The Customer Identification Device ( CID ) activates on approaching the car, this new electronic key system recognises the owner, unlocks the doors and allows the owner to start the engine without a key by turning a knob located in place of the conventional ignition.
The car's suspension geometry has been designed to make the car easier to handle and insulates it from the road. The front system is Multilink with a virtual steering axis while the rear suspension is multiple arm. The shock absorbers are managed electronically by a semiactive damping or Skyhook system. This includes 6 sensors that determine the speed of each wheel in relation to the body so that the system can compute the optimal damping force to be delivered by each individual shock absorber.
Other devices added include: variable power steering ( Variosteer ), bi-Xenon headlights, led tail-lights and Radar Cruise Control RCC ). Not to mention headlights that come on automatically when you drive into a tunnel. Windscreen wipers that come on by themselves when it starts to rain - and proximity sensors that aid parking manoeuvres.
When it comes to dynamic safety, the Lancia Thesis offers cutting edge devices that control different aspects of car performance: from braking to traction. The entire range is fitted as standard with ESP ( a system that cuts in when car stability is at risk to help the driver bring the car under control ), ASR ( to limit drive wheel slip if the road surface is slippery ) and MSR ( to prevent the wheels locking when the gears are changed down abruptly on a slippery road ). The new saloon is also equipped with a state-of-the-art ABS with an integral electronic brakeforce distributor ( EBD ). It is also one of the first cars in the world to offer the revolutionary EPB ( Electronic Parking Brake ) as standard.
When it comes to passive safety, the new Lancia model offers all-round protection, beginning with an efficient impact-absorbing chassis and continuing with devices specifically devoted to safety: eight airbags including two multistage bags; five three-point seat-belts with pretensioners ( except the central rear seat ) and load limiters, five head-restraints and an FPS ( Fire Prevention System ). Also the Thesis has Isofix attachments used to carry the smallest passengers in maximum safety, plus systems to protect the car against theft and break-ins: second generation Lancia Code, deadlock, antilift and tilt alarm and EPG anti break-in windows.
Lancia are confident the Thesis' engines easily outperform rival two litre engines. Car handling and agility are also important. Especially when you consider that a car just under five metres long with a weight to match has to work harder to achieve a good result. The credit for this agility goes to the power unit as a whole because all Lancia Thesis versions come with an engine that offers high torque at low speeds and a gearbox with a wide choice of ratios. Five speeds for the sophisticated automatic transmission; six for the manual gearbox. The decision to create a range of engines that are all multifractional ( i.e. with 5 or 6 cylinders ) paid off in terms of lack of vibration, content, timbre and smooth running.
The four power units, three petrol units and a Common Rail turbodiesel, are as follows: 136 kW ( 185 bhp ) 2.0 20v Turbo Soft; 125 kW ( 170 bhp ) 2.4 20v; 158 kW ( 215 bhp ) 3.0 V6 24v; 110 kW ( 150 bhp ) 2.4 JTD. The 5-speed automatic transmission comes with the 3.0 V6 24v engine, while the 6-speed manual unit is fitted to all other power units.
