Remember that Time Ferrari Almost Made a Super-Sedan?
You may not know about the Lancia Thema 8:32, but once you hear it, you will never forget it.
To purists, the idea that Ferrari would ever make a sedan is sacrilege. Still, you’ve got to admit, it is tempting to think about. A big, sporty V8 or V12 under the hood of a gorgeous four-door? It really doesn’t sound half bad to us. However, throughout its 71-year history, the closest it’s really come is donating about 4,000 3.2-liter V8s to Lancia, where they powered the 1986-1992 Thema 8:32 luxury sedan.
And as you might expect, the Thema 8:32 is one hell of a car.
To even some of the most dedicated Ferrari Fans, the 8:32 may not be well-known. Still, in the late ’80s and early ’90s, it was one of the finest sport sedans Europe had to offer. Harry Metcalfe, in this recent episode of Harry’s Garage, puts a Thema through its paces. And it’s enough to make us start looking at European classified ads.
In Metcalfe’s brief history lesson, he says: “The Lancia Thema was part of a family of three cars designed at ItalDesign by Guigario: The Saab 9000, Fiat Chroma, and Lancia Thema.” Most Themas feature a turbocharged-four or V6 that have nothing to do with Ferrari. This 3.2-liter V8 from the 308 and the Mondial Quattrovalvole, however, is all Maranello. Only here, it is the Lancia that has a slight advantage. “They took out the flat-plane crank and put in a regular crank to increase the torque on this engine,” Metcalfe says. “Who knows what the cost was, but what a sight!”
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For customers, the 8:32 cost nearly twice the price of a base Thema. But it has a leather, wood, and Alcantara interior. There are high-tech features (for the era) like speed-sensitive steering, adjustable electronic dampers, and a power rear spoiler. Taking the car out on the road, Metcalfe says it “makes a glorious noise, and makes it quite an event to drive!”
Weight distribution is roughly 65:35, or approximately the same distribution of a Porsche 911, only reversed here. The five-speed gearbox is light, crisp, and easy to use. Speaking of Porsches, Metcalfe compares the car’s handling and engine note to the Porsche 928. The exotic V8 has an impressive 8,000 rpm redline, but overall, power “feels a bit effortless, which is a dangerous thing.” Zero to 60 comes in a not-bad-for-the-era 6.8 seconds. It isn’t quick by today’s standards, but we’re sure you’ll have a lot of fun getting to it.
This particular car is on loan from its long-term owner, it’s no museum piece. While the idea of a Lancia with a Ferrari engine is enough to send budget-conscious collectors running for the hills, it’s reliable enough to make a cross-continental trek every year. Metcalfe says the owner has nicknamed this car “The Emperor.” We can see why. As he says while flogging the car in the English countryside: “what a way for four people to travel.”
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