1995 LANCIA Kappa 2.4L 5MT FWD (175 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Sharing its platform with the Alfa Romeo 166, the Lancia Kappa was designed to replaced the Lancia Thema.

The executive car revealed in 1994 was available at first as a saloon and later as an estate or coupe body style.

Once the Thema was put out of production, Lancia produced the Kappa as a left-hand drive only vehicle.

The greek letter derived nameplate wasn’t new for Lancia, as their first model named Kappa was released in 1919.

The Lancia Kappa took a lot of time to be properly developed as Lancia wanted to offer a higher quality level. More imposing than the Thema, the Kappa was equipped with a thin radiator grille that featured Lancia’s stainless steel grille.

More spacious and larger than the Thema, the new Kappa had a height and depth adjustable steering wheel, an on-board computer, optional electronic air-conditioning, a radio antenna and an optional phone.

Safety was improved with the Lancia Kappa offering two airbags, an antilock braking system, 4 electric windows and seat belts with pretensioners. A fire prevention system was also available.

Later in 1998 the Kappa was refreshed with descreet bodywork alterations, however, the major update was represented by a new generations of engines: a 2.0-liter with 220 hp and a 2.4-liter JTD with direct injection.

The second generation came with an improved fuel consumption and new features such as cruise control, xenon headlights and GPS satellite navigation as optionals.

The Lancia Kappa was replaced in 2001 by the Lancia Thesis.