When it comes to wedging in an impressive engine, there arguably isn’t an Italian or European marque much better at it than Ferrari. They’ve given us the Ferrari Dino 246 GT, the F40, the 550 Maranello, and the LaFerrari, to name a few, and some of the best Ferrari engines are some of the insane V-8s they have rolled out in some of their highest-end performance beasts and track monsters.
That is why you may be surprised to hear that, during the 1980s and 1990s, Ferrari lent one of their V-8s to another Italian brand for use in a front-wheel-drive sedan. It may sound like a mash-up made in heaven, but this FWD sedan does not smuggle the power that we are used to from a Ferrari-motivated machine. We are taking a closer look at this Ferrari-V-8-toting Italian sedan and have brought you information about its engine specifications, what you get from this sedan, what it is like to own one today, and why it didn’t get the full complement of Italian stallions.
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When Luxury Meets Something Unexpected: The Lancia Thema 8.32
Some see the Lancia Thema 8.32 as a bit of a flop, and some see it as a unique melding of two European sports car brands that resulted in an interesting experiment. Whatever way you look at it, the Thema 8.32 happened. Built between 1987 and 1992, the Lancia Thema 8.32 may boast a prancing horse mill, but it doesn’t rocket it to the speeds and kick out the power you might expect from such a high-end moniker. What it does do, though, is offer some retro class, a funky setup, and a uniquely luxe build inside and out that may make you look away from the underpowered Ferrari mill.
Styling That Speaks Without Shouting
At first sight, you may not think much of the Thema 8.32, but we think it is a prime example of subtle Italian style that commands attention without the need to be flashy. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, who has helped design everything from the 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT, the Fiat 850 Spider, and the Ferrari GT “Competition” Berlinetta SWB to the DMC DeLorean, the Thema 8.32 boasts a classic, angular three-box executive sedan look with added touches that hint that it can do a bit more than look exclusive.
Standout features include a silver eggcrate grille, which was directly inspired by Ferrari, 15-inch Speedline five-spoke alloys, a unique (but optional) and sporty hand-painted double pinstripe along the beltline, clean lines along the body, and discreet “8.32” badges placed on the grille, side skirts, and the rear. It may not look as performance-oriented as its engine’s namesake, but Lancia did enough to ensure that it oozed classy and understated style.
The Surprising Comfort Inside
Inside, the cabin is designed to be as luxurious as it is comfortable. The seats are upholstered in rich Poltrona Frau leather, which is renowned for its durability and quality; both front seats are power-adjustable, and the rear seats don’t just offer a simple bench, but instead, offer two individual armchairs separated by a central console – giving your passengers oodles of space and executive-level luxury.
Warm burr walnut trim is utilized on the dashboards and doors, while the instrument cluster features black dials with yellow numbering, set within a leather-edged wood fascia. Though it may seem quite brown and dated today inside compared to modern standards, the Thema 8.32 also comes equipped with automatic climate control and an electric sunroof, which, at the time, would have made it quite the modern luxury sedan. Today, we can just appreciate it as a single-colored masterpiece from yesteryear.
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More Than Just A Famous Ferrari Engine In The Lancia Thema 8.32
|
Engine |
Horsepower |
Torque |
0-60 MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2.9-Liter V-8 |
202 – 212 HP |
194 – 210 LB-FT |
6.8 – 7.2 Seconds |
Lancia Thema 8.32 Performance Specifications
There is one engine option for the Thema 8.32; Lancia also rolled out other models of the Thema, which boast a 2.0-liter Fiat inline four, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, a 2.8-liter PRV V-6, and a 3.0-liter Alfa Romeo V-8, but it is the 2.9-liter Ferrari V-8 under the hood of the 8.32 which not only gives it half of its name, but also gives it the most potency out of all the other models.
The Lancia Thema 8.32 is equipped with a 2.9-liter naturally aspirated Ferrari Tipo F150L, and it is the engine’s setup that gives the Thema its name. The “8” stands for the number of cylinders in the engine, while the “32” stands for the number of valves – four per cylinder.
Boasting a 90-degree “V”, the Thema 8.32’s engine features forged pistons, sodium-filled exhaust valves, a dry sump lubrication system (for earlier MYs), a Bosche KE-Jetronic fuel injection system, a Marelli Microplex ignition, and DOHC setup. You get peak power at around 6,750 RPM, and the most torque winds out at 4,500 RPM. While the engine is very much in tune with what Ferrari does with a responsive throttle and relatively precise fuel delivery, it is not as powerful as it could be.
MYs 1987 to 1989 boast a mill that can turn out 212 horsepower, while it was subtly decreased to 202 horsepower for MYs 1989-1992. But why? With all that potential, the Thema 8.32 could have posed a lot more of a threat to the sedan market of the time.
Why Didn’t The Thema Get The Full Horsepower Potential?
The Tipo F105L is a modified version of the 32-valve V-8 found under the hood of the Ferrari 308 and Mondial Quattrovalvole, which both benefit from a flat-plane crankshaft for really rapid throttle responses and higher revving. Lancia specified that they wanted a cross-plane crankshaft engine, which is what Ferrari delivered.
By doing so, the power output was decreased from 240 horsepower to the slightly pitiful numbers that the 8.32 can muster for a smoother, everyday, comfort-oriented response, and a more luxurious feel – exactly what Lancia wanted from the Thema 8.32. The cam profiles of the 308 and Mondial Quattrovalvole’s F105A V-8 were slightly revised, which makes the engine noise quieter and better suited for long-distance driving, but that resulted in the high-frequency Ferrari bark being sacrificed for a deeper, more refined V-8 burble. Not what you’d expect from a Ferrari engine at all.
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Front-Wheel Drive’s Unlikely Match
It isn’t just the detuned Ferrari V-8 that may be a surprise choice for what could have geared the Thema 8.32 up as a proper performance sedan, but also choosing to utilize a front-wheel-drive setup only. Again, there is a method to Lancia’s madness, and it is all in the name of a luxury and comfortable sedan feel, but they also added in some clever workarounds to make it feel relatively responsive behind the wheel.
Handling Challenges And Clever Solutions
Wedging a Ferrari V-8 in the front of a Lancia Thema created quite a challenge when it came to tightening up the handling; the extra weight could have easily unbalanced the car, but Lancia responded and changed the layout of the Thema’s suspension to combat it. Up front, the Thema boasts reinforced MacPherson struts, firmer springs, and a thick anti-roll bar to control body roll, while at the rear, an independent suspension setup with optional self-leveling dampers is utilized to keep it composed under load.
To work around torque steer, which is a common problem in high-powered (or in this case, relatively high-powered) front-wheel-drive cars and makes it feel like you’re being pulled to one side when accelerating, the 8.32 utilizes equal-length driveshafts and a refined steering geometry, while wider tires and upgraded braking are fitted. Rather than simply dropping a Ferrari engine into a luxury shell, Lancia engineered around its challenges, creating a chassis that was designed to feel taut, responsive, and far more sorted than its layout would suggest.
Driving Dynamics That Defy Expectations
Despite its front-wheel layout, the Thema 8.32 does reportedly deliver a smooth and connected driving experience. The Ferrari V-8 is designed to be smooth and responsive despite its detuned status, while its torque-rich midrange makes for decent progress through the revs. Power is designed to be delivered linearly, so you don’t get a sudden spurt of torque that might throw the front end, but a smooth ride through the gears, and though the sprint times are not indicative of a Ferrari, they are still not bad for a late ’80s luxury sedan that was designed for comfort.
Steering has been described as light but fairly precise, and while the Thema 8.32 may naturally lean toward understeer at the limit, it is designed to be predictable and controlled. One of the coolest features, though, that Lancia added, which not only looks great but also helps to keep the Thema planted, is a deployable rear spoiler controlled by a rotary dial in the cabin, and adds subtle aerodynamic stability at higher speeds without ruining its sleek design.
The Lancia Thema 8.32 is far from being an exotic car, but thanks to its exotic-bred mill and clever design all around, it is a relatively effective sedan if you are looking for a mix of luxe cruising and slightly performance-oriented chops.
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Quietly Making Its Mark: The Legacy Of The Lancia Thema 8.32
Maybe the lack of horses indicative of Ferrari engines will put you off; maybe the driveline isn’t going to give the on-road thrills that you’d expect from a brand that gave us models like the Fulvia 1600 HF, the Delta Integrale, and some , but one thing is certain about the Them 8.32: it is unique and offers a difference to other classic European sedans.
Owning A Lancia Thema 8.32 Today
As a whole model overview, you can pick up a Lancia Thema for an average auction price of $9,131, but this does include the less-powerful Thema 834, Thema i.e. Turbo, Thema 2.8, Thema 2.0 Turbo models, and MYs outside the 8.32’s production year range, which brings down the average auction prices. If you are looking for Thema 8.32, prices are a little more expensive and range from $15,000 to $22,000. So, not a lot considering some Ferrari models from the same period (though we know they are Ferraris and a lot more desirable) are commanding prices of over a quarter of a million dollars.
If you do want the chance to drive one of these unique Lancias, they don’t come up for sale too often, and there have only been six sold in the last five years. You should also look out for some problems that owners have complained about, which include:
- Rust: A lot of owners have complained about rust in the wheelwells and in the trunk.
- Engine Misfires: On your test drive, under hard acceleration, listen out for misfires.
- Faulty Cooling System: Look out for leaks from the radiator and water pumps, both of which are prone to failure.
- Lack Of Maintenance: Being a classic Italian car with parts from one of the most finicky Italian marques, maintenance is quite involved. Make sure the model you look at has been kept up to scratch.
There has only been one review of the Thema 8.32 left on Car Survey.org, but that one review indicates that despite the underpowered Ferrari mill, it still makes for a great car to own. This owner gave their model a 10 out of 10 score for performance and comfort, a 7 out of 10 score for running costs, and, maybe most surprisingly, considering its high-end European breeding, a score of 9 out of 10 for reliability.
Best family car, due to the Ferrari-powered engine. Everything is in good order now, thanks to a very good/reliable service guy! Very good and powerful car. Pay attention to servicing.
-Owner review of their 1988 Lancia Thema 8.32 on Car Survey.org
What Keeps Collectors Coming Back
Though the power may be considered a little meek compared to what we know Ferrari V-8s can achieve, the Thema 8.32 is still a very popular model among collectors, with a few communities on social media raving about their Italian sedans. Among the reasons we can see why these unique sedans could be so collectible and interesting to own is because of their unique powerplant, the plush ’80s and ’90s luxury you get inside, their sophisticated design cues, and because they are something a little different from the norm.
You are certainly not going to see too many of these at a classic car show compared to the number of other and sedans that are still roaming around. Who doesn’t like something a little bit out of the ordinary anyway? With the Thema 8.32, you certainly get that in spades.