Lancia Thema

2012 Lancia Thema

2012 Lancia Thema interior

Lancia's newest flagship premium sedan, the Thema, is how you say "Chrysler 300" in Italian because this is essentially a Chrysler 300 in Lancia's clothing, even when this new Thema is imported from Ontario, Canada. Shame on Chrysler for calling the Chrysler 300 "Imported from Detroit", even when this is Chrysler's brand slogan.

The new Thema's exterior design is a fitting trend to the Italian Mafia, making it a perfect car to initiate a mob threat in Amalfi, or at least it could be because both the Lancia Thema and the Chrysler 300 are perfect mob cars, good enough to turn hapless victims into a mob target. Once you face one while you and your family are on a trip to Italy, you'll be a sitting duck while your family's been abducted by the mob and demanding a ransom on you.

Surprisingly if you're the henchman working for the Godfather, you'll be impressed by the Thema's world class interior that pleases your uncle who calls all the shots. What completes the Thema's interior is the Uconnect system and Alpine sound system that delivers the best experience only a true Italian-American premium sedan would get, that is when you have loads of surprise goons waiting.

Unlike the 300, the Lancia Thema doesn't offer a fire-breathing HEMI V8 engine, which sounds disappointing. Here, it is offered in Pentastar 3.6L V6, 3.0L Multijet II 190cv and 3.0L Multijet II 239cv engine. That's one petrol and two diesel engines available for the Chrysler 300's Italian cousin. Okay, a Lancia Thema equipped with Pentastar 3.6L V6 produces 286PS of power and 340Nm of torque, capable of getting 0-100 in 7.9 seconds, 240kph of top speed, and combined fuel economy of 10.6km/L (9.4L/100km). Secondly, the 3.0L Multijet II 190cv engine produces 190PS of power and 440Nm of torque, capable of getting 0-100 in 10.1 seconds, 232kph of top speed, and combined fuel economy of 14.1km/L (7.1L/100km). Finally, the 3.0L Multijet II 239cv engine produces 239PS of power and 550Nm of torque, capable of reaching 0-100 in 9 seconds, 232kph of top speed, and combined fuel economy of 13.9km/L (7.2L/100km). They are all mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Sadly, no 8-speed as expected...

The Lancia Thema is available in seven exterior colors; Bright White (Bianco Pastello), Black (Nero), Black berry (Blu scuro), Ivory (avorio Tristrato), Luxury brown (Marrone scuro), Mineral Gray (grigio Scuro), and Silver (grigio Chiaro).

My comment:
Even though it was imported from Ontario, the Lancia Thema, Chrysler 300's Italian cousin, is a fitting role for the Italian Mob, readying their well-orchestrated attack against you, a wealthy businessman, and your family. Watch out because if you seen one, this is not safe for your Italian travel because with this car, there's bound to be a mob threat. If you were in North America, I wonder there's a way to convert the Chrysler 300 into a Lancia Thema.

Photo: Lancia Automobiles - Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.

The Lancia Flavia lives...in Convertible form

2012 Lancia Flavia

Back in the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, both the Chrysler 200 and the 200 Convertible debuted under the Lancia Flavia name. The new Lancia Flavia is the European version of the Chrysler 200 however, there are rumors that Fiat will not bring the Lancia Flavia to Europe because the company's diesel engine is too expensive to fit in.

However, Fiat gave a green light for the production-form Lancia Flavia...in convertible form. Why convertible? Despite a gasoline-only offer, the convertible is much more attractive than the sedan version.

Which means, the Chrysler 200 sedan will stay stateside while the 200 Convertible will be exported to the Europe as the Lancia Flavia.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/08/lancia-flavia-cabrio-coming-to.html

....with apologies to Houki Shinonono

2010 Lancia Stratos Concept

It was a sad news for Lancia fans waiting for the revival of the iconic Stratos sportscar that was once used as a rally car, then followed with a limited production of 500 units back in the 70's. Ferrari, famous for their red hot sports cars such as the 458 Italia and the already sold out Ferrari FF, prevents the limited production of the "New Stratos".

Scoop:

http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/ferrari-blocks-production-of-new-stratos

OK, you know what, I'm not going to explain why because I'll hand it over to, you know who.

Houki Shinonono from Infinite Stratos

(Clears Throat) Hello everyone. I'm sure you've probably remembered me from Infinite Stratos. I'm Houki Shinonono! Nice to meet you all! I heard someone's reviving the Stratos machine that was once a legendary machine back in the 70's but later, the revival of the Stratos machine disrupted by some automobile manufacturer...

According to the New Stratos website I saw, Ferrari is not consent for the limited production of the so-called "New Stratos" by either Pininfarina or any other Ferrari-dependent suppliers. I'm getting nervous that a coach-builder may not bring the "New Stratos" project into fruition but I think there's hope for them if they find the suitable suppliers that are not Ferrari-dependent.

That is all I can say! I just hope the revival of the Stratos won't be complicating because of the suppliers. My sincere apologies for how did I came here because of that whole "Stratos" thing...

New Lancia Ypsilon

2012 Lancia Ypsilon

If you remember the game Gran Turismo 2 from the PSOne, chances are that you remembered Lancia's compact car known as the Y (it's full name was Ypsilon). The Lancia Y is a compact car that succeeds the Autobianchi Y10 from Italy, which the name Lancia Y10 was used in other European countries. By 2003, the Lancia Y underwent its first full model change and now adopting its full name "Ypsilon" while retaining its 3-door look and it is essentially used the Fiat Punto's platform. European women are the target customers for the Ypsilon because of its compact sizing. At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Lancia's gone full force and henceforth unveiled the second full model change of the Lancia Ypsilon with a twist. What's the twist happening to the new Ypsilon? It's simple, the all new Lancia Ypsilon is now a 5-door hatchback. The reason how did the all new Lancia Ypsilon became a 5-door model is because of the secret rear doors attached to it.

2012 Lancia Ypsilon

Despite the addition of two doors, the new 5-door Ypsilon is now heavily inspired from the Lancia Delta, making it the Delta's "mini me" because of the design cues and the first to come with Lancia's new trademark grille. While the previous Ypsilon is targeted for young females, today's 5-door Ypsilon is now heavily targeted to young adults at all genders. This could be a decent competitor to the Nissan March/Micra K13, third-generation Toyota Vitz/Yaris, Chevrolet Spark from GM Korea Company, Citroen C3, or the second-generation Kia Morning/Picanto. A different premium comes around and stays around on the new Lancia Ypsilon 5-door.

2012 Lancia Ypsilon interior

At the center of it all, the new Ypsilon's interior possess a top-notch balance of style and comfort. Conveniences can come at different sizes and the new Ypsilon packs the best interior design when it comes to choosing the right European compact car fit for everyone's personal preferences. Which reminds me, the new Ypsilon interior looks somewhat similar to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta but the new Ypsilon's interior is classified to be premium and it packs a premium blend of charm and wit.

At the beginning, the new Lancia Ypsilon 5-door packs three engine types such as the 0.9L Twin Air 85PS engine, 1.2L 69PS engine, and a 1.3L Multijet 95PS diesel engine. Most of these engines are equipped with the idling stop function that automatically shuts off the engine when stationary. Before you say please, it comes with a 5-speed manual transmission so don't be shocked why did this city car come equipped with a stick shift because the customers demanded it to be more fun to drive, clean, and economical. No wonder the new Ypsilon is classified as a city-class compact.

My Comment:
The Ypsilon of yesteryears was just a three-door compact but today's Lancia Ypsilon is now essentially became a 5-door compact car that rocked the world since its Geneva premiere. The reason how did the new Ypsilon started with just 5-doors remains a mystery for now but for the fun of it, this looks more like a Giulietta junior to us but ready to beat up the Chevrolet Spark for good.

Photo: LANCIA Automobiles - Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.

Is the "S" in the LEXUS IS naming is Stratos? What could the "I" stands for?

Lexus IS-F and Lancia Stratos

Most Toyota fanatics know that the "IS" in the LEXUS IS250/IS350/IS250C/IS350C/IS-F naming is "Intelligent Sports" for sure, but for me I got my head scrambled up about the meaning of the "IS" naming.

Let me put it in a very funny nonsense way, pretending that I don't know most about the Lexus IS. Let's just say that the "S" in the "IS" naming is Stratos, commonly referring to the legendary Lancia Stratos. It's very funny for me that I think that the "Stratos" is the "S" in the Lexus IS name. Now, what could the "I" stands for? I guess I want to know what could the "I" in the Lexus IS250/350/250C/350C/F name is since I guessed that the "S" as in "Stratos". The letter "I" in the Lexus IS is what it might have been;

Charlotte "Charles" Dunois
from IS-Infinite Stratos-

???

This?!

This is the "I" in the Lexus IS250/350/250C/350C/F naming stands for? Infinite?

as in...

INFINITE STRATOS?!

My gosh. In my nonsense way, I think that the "IS" in the Lexus IS250/350/250C/350C/F naming could possibly be INFINITE STRATOS! And that girl here was none other than Charlotte "Charles" Dunois (シャルロット/シャルル・デュノア), which she's from Infinite Stratos for sure!

False but definitely got myself a laugh when I tell other car enthusiasts what's the meaning of the "IS" in the Lexus IS name, it's not Intelligent Sports, it's;

I is for INFINITE

and

S is for STRATOS, you know, like Lancia Stratos!

Let's pretend that the gift we got from Charlotte Dunois is just the keys to the Lexus IS-F and the Lancia Stratos! LOLZ ^^

A total nonsense and corniness for me but it serves my point of view.

Something's fishy... whoever plays GT5, I guess someone's using the songs "STRAIGHT JET" and "SUPER∞STREAM" as Personal BGM, then race inside either the Lancia Stratos or the Lexus IS-F with these IS (Infinite Stratos) songs.

STRAIGHT JET

SUPER∞STREAM

What's freaky, if someone plays FM3, they will make some Infinite Stratos itasha out of their Lancia Stratos and the Lexus IS-F!

Oh well...

Time to get off the Lexus IS or the Lancia Stratos. These give me a major headache about hearing the IS meaning, which is in fact, INFINITE STRATOS!