Performance Review: Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lancia Thesis Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Lancia Thesis has a 3179cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Thesis shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Thesis's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1820 kgs (4012 lbs) this makes the Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lancia Thesis shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3179cc 24V V6 engine produces 226 bhp (168 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 213 lb-ft (288.7 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lancia Thesis you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1991 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (149.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lancia Thesis.

The Lancia Thesis has a Power to weight ratio of 124.1 bhp per ton and 117.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Thesis competing with the 1991 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (149.1 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Quadrifoglio (149.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lancia Thesis generating around 117.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1997 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 4MOTION (142.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1988 Nissan 200SX S13 1.8T (141.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.0 secs, this made the Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic as fast as the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (8.70 secs) the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (8.70 secs) the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (8.70 secs) the or the 2001 Mazda 6 Sport MZR 2.3i (8.70 secs). This Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic is also faster than the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Zafira Tourer CDTi BiTurbo (8.80 secs) the the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (8.80 secs) the and the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (8.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Thesis and the 2001 Saab 9-3 Viggen 2.3L Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Lancia Thesis on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.21 secs @ 84.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Saab 9-3 Viggen 2.3L Turbo (16.13 secs), the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed (16.14 secs), and the 2008 Audi TT Roadster 2.0T FSI 200 (16.15 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic has a maximum speed of 149mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Thesis equals the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic then how about the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 mph), the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (160 mph), or the 2009 Lotus Evora 3.5 V6 (160 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Thesis Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lancia

Car Comparison