The Front-Drive Lancia With A Ferrari-Derived V8 And A Backwards 911 Weight Balance

The Lancia Thema 8.32, introduced in 1986, is built from a mismatched mix of pedigree and misdirection: a front-wheel-drive sedan based on Fiat’s Tipo 4 platform, paired with a Ferrari-derived V8 assembled by Ducati—and then given a weight balance described as “backwards” relative to the typical Porsche 911 layout. The Tipo 4 underpinning—developed in the 1970s partnership between Fiat and Saab—also underlies models including the Saab 9000, Fiat Croma, Alfa Romeo 164 and Lancia Thema. For the 8.32, Lancia fitted a 2.9-liter Ferrari V8 from the 308 Quattrovalvole, using a cross-plane crankshaft for smoother luxury-sedan operation. Output was about 212–215 hp initially, with roughly 209–210 lb-ft of torque, later reduced by emissions versions, and a claimed top speed near 149 mph.