1994 Lancia Thema Turbo 16v LS from UK and Ireland - Comments

28th Feb 2003, 16:58

"A wolf in sheeps clothing undercover. Email: pietrologiudice@hotmail.com"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

Pietrologiudice@hotmail.com for further info.

Introduced in 1984, the Thema was the result of a co-operation between FIAT/Lancia (also the Croma), Alfa Romeo (the 164) and Saab (the 9000). A conventional three-box, four door saloon, with a drag coefficient of 0.32 and designed by Giugiaro, the Thema marked Lancia's return to the upper market segment. As such it was well equipped with air conditioning, heated seats, electric sunroof and such things available as options.

Engines included a 1995cc with 120bhp (8 valve, dohc with balancer shafts), a 1995cc turbo with 165bhp (also 8 valve with intercooler), a 2849cc V6 with 147bhp and a 2445cc turbo diesel with 100bhp (also with intercooler)

In 1986 the range was extended by the addition of an estate version, the Station Wagon, designed by Pininfarina and the 8.32 - which had a 2927cc V8 32 valve Ferrari engine under the bonnet, with 215bhp. This version had slightly modified external trim, revised internal trim, a bootlid spoiler, different steering, modified suspension and uprated brakes. A limousine version, stretched by 300mm, was introduced in 1987.

In 1988 all the four cylinder petrol engines got 16 valves (except the base 2000 model), the exterior design was modified, a hydraulic clutch was adopted and both self-levelling and electronically adjustable suspension systems became available. In 1992 the 2000 (now 16V) normally aspirated engine also gained variable geometry intake ducts, the turbo was tuned for slightly more power (up to 205bhp from 185bhp) and the V6 adopted a version of the 3000 Alfa Romeo unit. Some external changes were also made (the most noticeable being the use of vertical strakes in the front grille).

Production of the last Thema's ceased in 1994.

General comments?

Pietrologiudice@hotmail.com for further info.

If you have a Thema visit:

Www.lancia-tdc.com,

www.lanciamotorclub.com,

www.carfromitaly.com,

www.viva-lancia.com.

Great car strong engine (1988 thema turbo 8v, Mike, UK)

I have had three Themas in my time and I still can't get enough of them. (1994 16v, Patrick, UK)

Drove a Thema TD for 5 years and loved every minute of it. Beautiful, discreet (BCBG, as they say in French) fun to drive, and much better equipped than the Teutons. Managed to convince an all time German marques supporter friend to switch to Thema also. We both now drive Kappa for some time already. (Hawkeye, Belgium)

I have a Thema V6 for 9 years now, covering 170 000 km. Between 155000 and 165000 I had to repair suspension, brakes, AirCon!!! very expensive,2 times exhaust--that's ist, the engine runs smooth than ever--it was a very comfortable long distance runner all the time. (FK)

Recently bought a "Lancia Thema Turbo 16V LX" 1993 model. This is the best car I have EVER driven! Extremely well built, fast as lightning, and comfortable. (Vetle, Norway)

I bought a 16V VIS 150 CV (07/1993) in Jan 2000. I couldn't expect nothing more from a car. Fast (215 Km/h), comfortable, powerful, always ready under my right foot. Sometimes I'd want more from 'her', maybe I could buy a 16V Turbo 205 CV as my next car! Its only bug is that Lancia don't build it anymore! (Raffaele, Italy)

I owned a Thema turbo 16v LX for two years. It is the strongest most wild car I had ever driven. It is faster in mid acceleration then a Subuaru Impreza. Its only fault is electric problems and it is sensitive to fuel quality (since I'm from Israel the fuel here is bad). If you want to modify the car first modify the suspension make it stiffer and the brakes. All in all it's a great car.

The best car I've ever had. nice to drive and cheap to buy and perfect to look at! the bad things are electrical problems and heavy thirst.

I just bought a '92 2.0 i.e. turbo and I should say, I love driving it. It is very fast, and a smooth ride. (Kledi, Albania)

I've Thema 2,0 16v Turbo for 1 year after 9 cars before. Thema is the best car of world. Now car covering 230000 and stil is faster then some bikers. (PK, Poland)


22nd Jan 2004, 02:33

My Father first bought a 2.0L Thema in 1989 and then upgraded to the 2.0L 16v Turbo about 2 years later. 3 Years later I had an accident with the car and it was completely written off. (Worst day of my life) It took another 3 years just to find another one (South Africa does not have the biggest Thema Market) and I also finally found one after years of searching.

The drive is FANTASTIC and people truly are amazed when the get a ride in my Thema for the first time... and the second time... and the third time...


27th Aug 2005, 18:42

My dad has a 94 lancia thema 2.0 turbo for 8 years and I drive it about an year since I got my license...

This is a great car, sorry its not a car, this is an airplain, it runs so fast I just feel my back stucks to the seat every time I put the pedal to the floor!!

All of my friends want to take a ride in my car over and over again... it is an amazing car and so enjoyable to improve its performance all the time!!

(rotem nisani, israel)


25th Mar 2008, 16:12

The guy in this review has just copied the model info from carsfromitaly.net. I thought people were supposed to write about their subjective experiences with the various models. Duh.

Add another comment

Note: A Comments RSS Feed RSS Feed is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site

All Lancia Thema reviews