Lancia Kappa

the 1919 model
, 1996 – December 2000 (estate)
, July 1996 – April 2000 (coupé)

| predecessor = Lancia Thema
| successor = Lancia Thesis
| class = Executive car (E)
| layout = FF layout
| platform = Type E
| body style = 4 door saloon5 door estate2 door coupé
| engine = Petrol engine, Petrol, Fiat Twin Cam engine, Fiat 838A4, turbo, I4, Fiat Pratola Serra modular engines, Fiat family C, I5, 2.0 L Fiat family C 20V turbo I5
, 2.4 L Fiat family C 20V I5
, Alfa Romeo V6 engine, Alfa Romeo, V6, Diesel engine, Diesel, Turbodiesel, TD, JTD
| transmission = 5 speed manual4 speed automatic AISIN or Z. F.
| wheelbase = Saloon/estate: Coupé:
| length = Saloon/estate: Coupé:
| height = Saloon/estate: Coupé: The Kappa was manufactured at the Fiat factory in Tetti Francesi, Rivalta di Torino and was designed by the Lancia Style Center in collaboration with the I. DE. A Institute. Lancia had earlier used the Kappa nameplate for the 1919 Kappa, with evolutions called Dikappa and Trikappa). He commented on the car's bland styling which was justified by Fiat's Paolo Cantarella on the basis that the designers did not want to create too much "visual noise." The body was reported as having twice the torsional rigidity of the outgoing Thema, and was 15 percent stiffer than any of its rivals. The automatic Aisin Warner gearbox (50 40 LE type) was shared with the Volvo 850. Robinson went on to say "the Kappa´s dimensions ensure a commodious interior, the impression of space only heightened by a low cowl and very Japanese looking fascia, somewhere between a Honda NSX and Lexus LS400." Rear cabin room was described as "immense" but the cushion was criticised for being too flat, a fault rectified in later iterations of the car. Robinson criticised the "horrid mock wood with which Lancia frames the prominent central console that runs from the handbrake, up the full length of the dash and over the top." About the driving characteristics, Robinson wrote: "If Lancia quietened the starter motor, this would be one refined drivetrain with no hint of any 5 cylinder unevenness." The 2.4 litre engine tested appeared to have been tuned for low end torque, a characteristic of this Alpine brand. The engine was praised by Robinson for its "smooth responsiveness" and "torque steer has been eliminated and the Servotronic steering is terrific, with just the right degree of self centering." His summary of ride and handling was that car was better than average but not class leading: "On the Lancia there is too much body roll and the front grip in the wet didn't inspire confidence."

1994 Kappa production begins. 1996 An estate car, marketed as Station Wagon, joins the lineup. The naturally aspirated 2.0 litre gasoline engine is fitted with a variable geometry inlet manifold. Inside the cabin, the seats are replaced by a new design, including new upholstery patterns. 1997 The coupé is launched, while at the same time, some changes are made to the interior, trunk, suspension and engine bay, as well as new alloy wheels. 1998 The 2.0 L turbocharged four cylinder engine gets replaced by the five cylinder, while the turbodiesel was upgraded to a JTD engine. The bumper guards, previously black, are changed to body coloured, and the base trim level, LE, is dropped, leaving only the more lavish LS and LX. At the same time, a special trim level is introduced for the turbocharged gasoline engine, called simply the "Turbo", distinguished by the lack of chrome decals around the window frames. The interior materials are also upgraded across the lineup, including the addition of a leather wrapped steering wheel with a different design and front central armrest. 1999 The other two five cylinder engines are modified along with the air conditioning unit. 2000 The Kappa gains xenon HID headlamps. Production of Berlina and SW ceased in December 2000 (Coupé's earlier in the year). wider rear track and a distinctive profile with frameless doors. The front, from bumper to the window screen, was identical to the other Kappas. It was Lancia's first coupé since 1984, when the Beta and Gamma coupés were discontinued, and remains the last Lancia to feature this body style to this day. The small building capacities at the Maggiora factory for this essentially hand made car, and the relatively high price, destined it to be a rare vehicle. As a money saver the rear lights came from Delta. Only 3263 coupes were manufactured from 1996 to 2000, making this model a true rarity. Design was by Luciano D'Ambrosio.

A one off Kappa Limousine with extended middle section, and wheelbase, was built for Gianni Agnelli. Its concept was very similar to the Thema Limousine from 1987. The car was finished in dark blue with a matte black roof.