2004 Lancia Thesis Bicolore
Price |
-- |
Production |
-- | ||
Engine |
3.2 liter DOHC V6 |
Weight |
4012 lbs | ||
Aspiration |
natural |
Torque |
213 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm | ||
HP |
230 hp @ 6200 rpm |
HP/Weight |
17.4 lbs per hp | ||
HP/Liter |
71.9 hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- | ||
0-62 mph |
8.8 seconds |
Top Speed |
149 mph |
(from Lancia Press
Release) A very special version of the Lancia Thesis,
which had its world preview at the recent Paris Motor Show, now
makes its debut in Italy. This is a one-off model characterised by a
two-tone body in the shades Mink and Dark Brown: this extremely
stylish combination is designed to emphasise the shape of the Lancia
flagship even more.
The interior of the brand new version, displayed in the Emblema
specification and equipped with the powerful 175 bhp 2.4 JTD engine,
reveals the same exclusive treatment as the two-tone exterior. The
passenger compartment is an emotionally involving place where
top-quality materials have been chosen for their tactile and
acoustic qualities to create a multisensorial whole that represents
the final frontier of the Lancia world.
This original car is thus perfectly attuned to the spirit of the
Lancia flagship, a luxury car that attracts élite motorists with its
style and cutting-edge technology. This specific segment includes a
select number of cars that have been chosen by the biggest
Manufacturers to showcase the cream of present-day in-car
technology. To strengthen its position in this market band, two new
engines were introduced last year for the Lancia Thesis: a more
powerful (175 bhp) 2.4 JTD 20v engine has now joined the previous
150 bhp 2.4 JTD 10v. The new engine is a member of the second
generation of Common Rail direct injection diesel engines known as
Multijet engines and is available with a 5-speed automatic
transmission or six-speed manual gearbox. The petrol engine range is
now topped by a 3.2 V6 24v unit with Comfortronic gearbox that is
ideal for the Lancia Thesis. The result is a great deluxe saloon
with the same standards of roominess, comfort and performance
throughout. Both power units feature state-of-the-art technology as
one expects from a car made by Lancia, a manufacturer that is always
careful to offer customers the most advanced engineering content.
These two powerful, smooth power units benefit from a revision to
the settings of the sophisticated five-speed automatic transmission
to ensure smoother gear shifts and hence a considerable increase in
driving comfort. The current gearbox has also been replaced by a
40.7 kgm six-speed manual gearbox to accommodate the higher torque
delivered by the 2.4 JTD 20v engine. This more compact device comes
with three shafts and features a synchronised reverse and a clutch
with automatic play take-up device. These are the recent novelties
on this range. All the strengths of the Lancia flagship have been
retained. As far as styling is concerned, the Lancia Thesis is a hit
because it 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 in the middle
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 that control CONNECT, the
sophisticated integrated telematic system.
The seats are the very latest thing when it comes to comfort and
ergonomics. The optional comfort version offers attractive,
brand-new functions such as ventilation, adaptivity and massage.
Ventilation is achieved by three fans that generate an air flow
toward the occupant while adaptability is assured by a cushion and
backrest that mould themselves to the physical shape of the
occupant. They also deliver a slight massage by inflating sacs
cyclically for a few minutes. The comfort seats are also trimmed in
ultra-soft Poltrona Frau nappa leather.
The new Lancia range leader also offers one of the best rear
passenger room ratings in the segment. This space will also be
enjoyed by customers who do not drive their Thesis themselves and
must be accorded a seat of appropriate style and dignity. Hence the
need for 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-way armrest in the middle of the back seat can
house a remote control that is used to adjust the Hi-Fi system. The
top-quality material selection lays the emphasis on leather,
ultra-soft Poltrona Frau hide, Alcantara® and wool. This unusual
trim is a reference to the renowned 'Lancia cloth' used in the past.
The trim covers the seats and forms 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 and sound (not to mention 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 in 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 customise your Thesis by
means of Lancia Personal Selection that can be used to customise car
settings directly via the CONNECT system - or by means of a setting
Memory that allows you to adjust the front seats, rear view mirrors
and steering wheel to your own satisfaction and then recall the same
settings whenever you want at the press of a key. The innovative
Keyless System makes it easy and convenient to get into your Lancia
Thesis and start the engine. All you need to do is keep your CID
(Customer Identification Device) with you. When you approach the
car, this new electronic key system recognises the owner, unlocks
the doors and allows you to start the engine without a key by
turning a knob located in place of the conventional ignition.
You can see why it is a real pleasure to travel in a Lancia Thesis.
The special suspension geometry also makes the car very manageable.
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,
virtually insulating the car from the road.
Many other devices have been added to assure you a relaxed drive:
variable power steering, bi-xenon headlights, led tail-lights and
headlights that come on automatically when you enter a tunnel,
windscreen wipers that come on automatically 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 exclusive
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.
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). Not to
mention systems to protect the vehicle against theft and burglaries:
second generation Lancia Code, dead-lock, antilift and tilt alarm
and EPG anti break-in windows.