Lancia Thema 3.0 V6 CRD 240 CV, road test (Engine, performance, handling and consumption)

On this occasion the Highmotor team takes the wheel of a very particular Italian, we’re talking about the Lancia Thema. Calling it Italian can’t be taken literally, because the car is as American as it is Italian, since it is the well-known Chrysler 300C. The Chrysler brand has disappeared from our country following the acquisition by the Fiat Group of Chrysler. Thanks to this, Lancia has expanded its model range by offering the 300C under the name Lancia Thema.

That said, beyond the design, it has little in common with the previous model, since inside it has been updated to meet European standards and under the bonnet it debuts a new-generation engine block of Italian origin. So if you want to know more about a saloon that offers an excellent value-for-money ratio in terms of performance and price, don’t miss this test of the Lancia Thema 3.0 V6 CRD with 240 CV automatic.

Engine and performance

We begin the analysis of the Lancia Thema by talking about its engine, this powerful V6 diesel developed by VM Motori, a factory owned by General Motors and the Fiat Group. This three-litre powerplant is offered in two outputs, 190 and 239 CV — we tested the latter — and is an evolution of the engine that already equipped the 300C.

The most notable thing is the performance the Thema offers with this V6 engine, since it is a powerful powerplant, with 550 Nm of torque all transmitted to the rear axle, making it very fun to drive.

When we start it — pressing the button on the dashboard — a purr typical of a V6 engine appears, showing us the power hidden under the bonnet. But performance is not at odds with smoothness, and like any good V6 block the ride is very smooth.

When we press the accelerator pedal down, the response is aggressive, showing all its power and torque, moving a car that weighs two tonnes with ease. It responds from 1,500 rpm up to 4,000 rpm, with especially forceful pull between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm. If we don’t dose the pressure on the accelerator well, it is really easy to make the rear wheels spin.

The gearbox has five ratios, it is of Mercedes origin, stemming from the former alliance between the Chrysler Group and Daimler. Although it doesn’t have a sixth, it doesn’t need one because its ratios are long, and at 120 km/h we are doing 2,000 rpm.

But these long ratios have a downside, since at 50–60 km/h in 3rd gear we are at around 1,500 rpm, and below 50 km/h we have to go into second, which increases consumption. As for operation, it is more than adequate and has paddles for sequential mode.

Handling

The Lancia Thema has nothing to envy from premium saloons in terms of interior comfort. Despite having 20-inch wheels and a low-profile tyre — 45 — the interior comfort is notable and the car’s stability is too.

It surprised us on roads with poor asphalt, where potholes and irregularities were filtered out very well, and as soon as we get onto a main road or motorway it conveys poise and stability.

As for agility, it is a fun car thanks to rear-wheel drive and its high torque. On a wet roundabout, if we apply the throttle the car is a true spectacle — on a par with any rear-wheel-drive sports car — though for these situations the stability control is there, acting quickly and keeping this saloon under control.

On winding roads it holds its own, but this is not its terrain, neither its dimensions nor its weight are on its side; it is fun in this environment but we cannot consider it agile. Again the ESP is there to keep our driving emotions in check and help the Thema stay under control at all times.

It is a car with great interior comfort, ideal for travelling and which also offers a touch of fun — thanks to its performance and rear-wheel drive — that is always welcome when we want to escape monotony.

Consumption

Consumption is not low, but it is in keeping with the size, weight and engine of the Lancia Thema. On the road it hovers around 8.5 litres and we can even reach 9 litres per 100 km if we are not careful with the accelerator.

Whereas in town the figure climbs to 12 litres, which is entirely normal given its weight and dimensions — it is an environment where pulling away and stopping don’t suit the Thema at all. On the motorway consumption was around 7.5 litres per 100 km on our usual route.

In the second part of the test we will analyse the design, one of the most striking aspects of the Thema, and we will also talk about the interior. Roominess and the space it offers its occupants will be the two topics we cover in the second part.

Photos | Test team