LANCIA THESISTiming chain or Belt?

The Lancia Thesis is an executive car (E-segment) manufactured by the Italian brand Lancia between 2001 and 2009. It was the successor to the Lancia Kappa. It had only a single generation, although it was marketed for 8 years.

The Lancia Thesis was unveiled at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show. It featured a wide range of gasoline engines, including 5-cylinder inline and V6 engines ranging from 2.0 to 3.2 liters of displacement, with power outputs ranging from 170 hp for the entry-level version to 230 hp for the most powerful V6. 5-cylinder diesel options with up to 175 hp were also offered.

The Thesis was developed on a new specific platform, featuring double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. It stood out particularly for the high quality of its interior finishes, with varnished wood trim and a magnesium center console.

In 2004, Lancia presented a prototype of a limousine version lengthened by 60 centimeters, developed by Stola. This version featured even more luxurious equipment, including power-adjustable rear seats, a refrigerator, and a multimedia system.

As a point of interest, the Thesis's highly characteristic design originated from the Lancia Dialogos prototype, which was shown to the public in 1998.

The main rivals of the Lancia Thesis were premium sedans such as the Audi A6, the BMW 5 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Despite its comprehensive equipment and finishes, sales of the Thesis were quite low, with only 16,000 units sold in 8 years compared to the tens or hundreds of thousands of units sold by its German rivals.