08/07/2026
Undercover Ferrari, Lancia Thema 8.32.
The Lancia Thema 8.32, commonly known as the "Thema Ferrari," owes its name to its 8-cylinder, 32-valve engine configuration. Under the hood of this Turin-built sedan sits a 2,927 cc Ferrari-derived powerplant (code F105L), closely related to the units found in the Ferrari 308 and Mondial. To adapt it to the sedan and deliver smoother power delivery, the crankshaft was modified with 90° pins (a cross-plane crankshaft) instead of the 180° flat-plane setup used in the Maranello models. This engine is transversely mounted at the front, sending its power solely to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission, making it the most powerful front-wheel-drive car on the global market at its debut in 1986.
From a technical and performance standpoint, there are two main variants determined by emissions regulations. The first series, produced between 1986 and 1988, develops 215 hp at 6,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 285 Nm at 4,500 rpm, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h. The second series (from 1989 to 1992) was restricted by the introduction of a catalytic converter and adjustments to the KE-Jetronic fuel injection system, dropping output to 205 hp and 263 Nm of torque, with a top speed of 234 km/h. The vehicle's curb weight is approximately 1,400 kg. The chassis features independent MacPherson strut suspension at all four corners—with specific damper tuning compared to standard Thema models—and a split dual-circuit braking system equipped with four-wheel discs and ABS. One of the most iconic technical details is the retractable electronic rear spoiler, integrated flush into the trunk lid and operated directly via a control stalk on the steering column. Maintenance is highly complex and costly: the densely packed engine bay frequently requires the partial or complete removal of the powerplant even for standard service procedures, such as replacing the timing belts.
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