Lancia, the once-iconic Italian car brand, is attempting to make a comeback. While other brands like Fiat and Abarth have shown promising signs of resurgence, Lancia is relying on a bombastic marketing campaign and a concept car to generate excitement. The concept car, called the Pu+Ra HPE, is a futuristic two-door electric coupe that is unlikely to ever reach mass production. This departure from Lancia’s rally models of the past, such as the Stratos and Delta Integrale, has left some fans disappointed.
Despite these setbacks, Lancia still has a dedicated fan base, including digital car content creator Tommaso D’Amico. Known as tda_automotive on YouTube and other social media platforms, D’Amico has a passion for all things Italian and cars. He has even worked on modifying Lancia vehicles for his videos, including a 350-horsepower turbocharged Lancia Delta Integrale.
D’Amico’s latest project is a virtual recreation of the “Nuova” Lancia Thema GTS, a premium sporty sedan inspired by the original Thema executive car produced between 1984 and 1994. This four-door sedan could serve as a luxurious alternative to Alfa Romeo’s Giulia, particularly in the North American market. With its powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, AT8 gearbox, and Q4 all-wheel drive, the Thema GTS would offer around 300 horsepower, making it a compelling option for performance enthusiasts.
The question remains: can Lancia regain its former glory by focusing on high-performance models like the Delta Integrale and Thema GTS, rather than the more pedestrian fourth-generation Ypsilon city car? Only time will tell if Lancia’s strategy will pay off and if the brand can once again become a force to be reckoned with in the automotive world.
