In June 1996 an estate version was introduced,
the Kappa Station Wagon, designed by Pininfarina. This had the same engines
as the saloon, the 1998cc five cylinder variant in both saloon and estate
now being fitted with a variable geometry inlet manifold and producing
155bhp. Some minor changes were made to the saloon at the same time.
1998 saw the replacement of the 2000 turbo
four with a 1998cc turbocharged five cylinder engine (220bhp) and the replacement
of the 2400 turbo diesel with a new 2387cc five cylinder turbo diesel (136bhp)
using direct injection and common rail, called JTD. A variety of other
small details were also changed at this time.
Production ceased in the summer of 2000,
after around 80,000 cars had been built. It was replaced by the Thesis.
The
Lancia Kappa was introduced in 1994 to replace the Thema,
as the pinnacle of the Lancia range. It was initially offered as a conventional
three box, four door saloon with a choice of five engines, a 1995cc (205bhp)
four cylinder turbo, a 1998cc (145bhp) five cylinder, a 2446cc (175bhp)
five cylinder, a 2959cc (204bhp) V6 derived from that of Alfa Romeo, and
a 2387cc (124bhp) five cylinder turbo diesel. A suspension layout similar
to the Thema was adopted, and a high level of equipment was fitted in line
with expectations in the luxury market segment.
In Geneva in 1997 Lancia unveiled the Kappa Coupe. A two door body, designed
in house by Lancia, it had a 120mm shorter wheelbase than the saloon and
estate and was built by Maggiore. Only the V6, 2400 five cylinder and 2000
four cylinder turbo engines were offered.
Technical Details
| Driveline | transverse engine at front with front wheel drive |
| Suspension | front : MacPherson strut with telescopic dampers and coil springs plus anti-roll bar
rear : MacPherson strut with telescopic dampers and coil springs plus anti-roll bar wheelbase : 2700mm front track : 1546mm (saloon & SW); 1547mm (Coupe) rear track : 1527mm (saloon & SW); 1533mm (Coupe) |
| Brakes | front : discs, ventilated, diameter : 281mm (2.0, 2.4, JTD); 310mm (2.0T, V6)
rear : discs, diameter : 276mm handbrake operating on the rear via cable dual hydraulic circuit with servo assistance |
| Gearbox | 5 speed manual
4 speed automatic |
| Steering | Rack and pinion with power assistance |
| Kerb Weight | Saloon : 2.0 20V : 1440kg; 2.4 20V : 1450kg; 2.0T : 1500kg; 3.0 V6 and 2.4JTD : 1510kg
Coupe : 2.0T : 1475kg; 2.4 : 1425kg; V6 : 1515kg SW : 2.0 20V : 1510kg; 2.0T : 1560kg; 2.4 20V : 1520kg; V6 : 1610kg; 2.4JTD : 1580kg |
Performance
| model | max speed | 0-100kp/h | standing km |
| Saloon 2.0 20V (155bhp) | 212 km/h | 9.2 sec | 30.6 sec |
| Saloon & Coupe 2.0 20V turbo | 243 km/h | 7.3 sec | 27.3 sec |
| Saloon & Coupe 2.4 20V | 218km/h | 8.7 sec | 29.6 sec |
| Saloon 3.0 V6 | 225 km/h | 8.0 sec | 29.1 sec |
| Coupe 3.0 V6 | 220 km/h | 9.8 sec | 30 sec |
| Saloon 2.4 JTD (136bhp) | 202 km/h | 10.0 sec | 32.0 sec |
| SW 2.0 20V turbo | 235 km/h | 7.7 sec | 27.7 sec |
| SW 3.0 V6 | 218 km/h | 9.0 sec | 29.5 sec |
| SW 2.4 JTD | 200 km/h | 10.8 sec | 32.7 sec |
all figures are for cars fitted with a manual transmission
For books on Lancia see our Online Bookstore
There is also a list of all our picture galleries (including museums, motorshows and various events).
Wallpapers/Desktop Backgrounds of numerous Lancia's are available to download.
See also our Lancia advertisements gallery, where several adverts can be seen.
Kappa comment form
Your Comments
My father has owned several
Lancias - two 1987 Thema 8v turbos, a Thema 16v turbo, a Thema turbo LS
(my favourite) and a Kappa 2.0t. The kappa is a terrific car to drive,
especially on the highway where it is the best car I have travelled in
and driven over long distances ever. Around town it is somewhat problematic
being left hand drive in a RHD country - especially overtaking. The driving
satisfaction for city driving is high but steering feedback isn't nearly
as good as it is with the Thema and overall driving satisfaction not as
high. This trend is universal across carmakers. It does give a smoother
ride than the Thema but suffers from the odd rattle. Certain cost-cutting
measures are evident from the Thema. I am considering buying this car for
myself as the LS is not for sale but the availability of spares is a concern
as very few were imported to South Africa. A fine car overall. (Richard U, South Africa)
I just bought a Kappa Coupe
2.0 Turbo second hand, 11month, 20'000km, blue energy, panna412 etc. I'm
impressed by the quality and performance. (Andreas M, Switzerland)
I've just bought a Kappa 20v Turbo Estate which a friend brought into UK from Switzerland. It's done 130000kms but drives like a new car, goes like the clappers- stops on a
sixpence, and upsets no end of BMW drivers! I can carry my drums around in absolute comfort, and at a very 'useful' rate. The interior compares with cars of much higher "value",
beautifully under-stated with a sense of the purest engineered design. A great Lancia to complement my S1 Fulvia coupe and the memory of my Thema ie turbo Estate,
which rose above all criticism at 336000kms, except for the rust. I cannot believe anyone is seriously thinking of terminating the Lancia marque. Nobody else in Europe or the rest of the
world is making drivers cars with this much heart and soul, or ever has. (Justin, UK)
The Lancia Kappa is one of
the greatest cars that the Italian car ind.has produced. My father has
had one for 1.5 years and it has passed 155000 kilometers, we didn't have
a single damage on it. The engine, comfort and interier makes the Lancia
Kappa 3.0 ls. the best limousine in Europe.
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