not an XM...

[jorgy]

...but a Lancia.

I suddenly remembered of the Thesis the other day, don't know why. First time I had a close look, although I sure knew of it (was thinking, funny how I had so completely disregarded it). Talking of obscure cars from the past -ahem!

From what I'm reading, it must be a very accomplished car, like the XM. And very, very, very underestimated. Maybe a champion in this actually.

Skyhook shock-absorber control (each corner individually), exclusively designed suspension -said to be comfort oriented but still handling "better than it should be allowed" (reminds you of something??), even a platform of its own (they must have gone mad), the very good 5-in line engines (diesel 185hp with 5-speed auto), 5mm-thick side window glass , lots of room inside (major advantage of the XM if you ask me), lots of clever little touches...

Love the looks. Not perfect, but still (as with the C6, the prototype (Dialogos) was better). I could sit observing it for hours (like the XM!). Funny that, although it's what I'd define as "the exact opposite" styling to those Citroens (CX, XM, SM, etc), still I can identify equally with both those moods. If you told me: "you can have either a C6, or a Thesis, choose!", I really don't know which one I'd prefer to see in my drive.

Sold only 16,000 units -even less than the C6. Funny it suffers from the exact one thing hampering the C6 too: weight. In any case, must go to Germany and bring one here some day (and also a second one for parts, and an Italian for the maintenance). 1,500eu -peanuts. Worth paying that even if it's to have it on SORN on the drive, just to see it as a sculpture.

George

2007-lancia-thesis_800x0w.jpg

Lancia_thesis_s_hdwallpapers%20(20).jpg

[Aerodynamica]

I quite like that. At first I was not keen on it but after a few moments taking in the details It's quite cool. I've definately seen more than one of these on the road. I think there was one in that prestige car showroom near Charing Chross in Glasgow a year or so back. So are you getting one then?

[russ92xmsed]

Almost the Italian Rover... I do like a Lancia and always liked the Thesis. Infact I like the blander Kappa too, although the coupe was much quirkier. Sad we didn't get them over here, although I believe an importer was preparing to do such a thing but the transporter bringing test cars over crashed, and wrote the whole lot off.

It's such a pity Lancia is almost dead. It could be such a cool brand.

[White Exec]

Reg plate a good advert for our good friends' radio station...

[jorgy]

True Chris, hadn't spotted that! BTW I just realised how I remembered of the Thesis: I was reading a post that I think *you* linked on here about Italian brands dying out etc.!

The only real Thesis I've seen was in a Mazda (!) showroom in Spain. All I remember is, it was black...

Am I getting one? Ermmm...yes. Once I repair all I have to on the td XM...and then I have this 2000 24v parked up, requiring attention...emmm, realistically, it'll be in 5 year's time I think The Thesis will have matured so nicely by then! Seriously now: who will fix the first thing that will go wrong on a Thesis in the UK?

[White Exec]

Yes, unusual enough to merit a poke about on the web.
Definitely Rover-ish, very "75" at the back end. One review likened the driving experience to a Rover 95!

Most fun from the front. Side elevation a bit dismal, and reminiscent of a good number of lumbering Chinese large saloons. Not surprised they only managed to make 16,000+, which would have been enough to give PSA heart-stoppage.

What I do like, though is the ambience of the interior, particularly the way the dash side vents continue into the door fronts. Nice in this trim colour; not so nice in 'Datsun' taxi dark brown, nor the rather elephantine A-pillars. It seems they opted for Alcantara, too.

LanciaThesis_interior.jpg

Also like the Wikipedia details of the MagneRide fluid-controlled dampers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MagneRide
and the Skyhook theory details here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyhook_theory
and Active Suspension info here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_suspension.

An educational afternoon, George - thanks!

[Eddie nuff]

It does have a certain familiarity with the XM, in so much as the wtf is that from the uninitiated.

Smart looking motor that would grace any driveway - certainly more so than the bland BMW like euro boxes.

[jorgy]

Yep the interior is quite a nice place to be actually. I find they've striken a very good balance actually -not too modern, not too retro, not too sterile but not extravagant, not overly plush but not poor either. And there's a nice twist, which can be better seen from a side view (and check alcantara Vs leather):

lancia__thesis_2_4_multijet_alcantara_2005_6_lgw.jpg

lancia thesis dash m1cyigkbmurq_800.jpg

lancia__thesis_2_4_20v_multijet_dpf_comfortronic__nappa__2007_12_lgw.jpg

The curvatures enveloping driver and passenger are pleasant. Again I find they've stiken perfection -they are not too pronounced like in some Alfas -do you become dizzy looking at some modern Alfa's dashboards, or is it just me??

Also: some of the prettiest doorcards I've seen for a while. You can see they have purpose, they've been designed as one with the dash. It's all so often that the lack of inspiration or ideas of a manufacturer manifests on the doorcards more than in other places -"well, we don't have any theme, so just run a few random lines, and that's us!".

I saw a Phaethon yesterday on the road, and said to wife "that's a very good car, you know". But for the best of me I couldn't live in its interior every day, it would depress me I think. I bet it was designed by a computer programme -a human being with emotions etc. can't have designed that!

Also, a nice detail: might not be visible in these photos, but the sliver panel running at the level of the ventilation airducts, is actually perforated to offer seamless ventilation!

George

[citroenxm]

Actually.. never mind xm ... go check out a pug 607 interior and come hack and tell me where you have seen that virtually identical layout before!! They are almost identical.. down to the sat naff screen and heater etc...

[jorgy]

Yes, can see what you mean, although I wouldn't have thought of it if you had not said so! The 607's dashboard is of the less bulky tradition, similar to an original Honda NSX -or even an S1 XM.

Also, the 607 *looks* (not *is* necessarily) more plasticky (or "modern", or "cheaper" -call it as you like-), while the detailing in the Thesis is a click above I think -my personal feeling.

Finally the 607's is a "simpler", "cleaner", or more "minimal" design, while the Thesis's is more baroque, bit heavier to the eye.

peugeot__607_3_0_24v_210_platinum_air_navi_xenon_leather_2008_6_lgw.jpg

peugeot-607-perfil-interior.jpg

I love the 607's dashboard overall, bar the round-ish upper centre console -never liked it, and still can't diggest it...but overall a lovely place to be.

And of course the 607 is top in my list of cars to replace the XM when this becomes too old...