I'm on my second kappa coupé now. The first one was rear ended beyond repair at 475.000km while still in perfect condition. My second is now at 250.000. Multiple kappa owners have passed the 1M km. I have driven all engine combinations and have to admit that the V6/auto combo is not the most lively one. The V6 manual, very rare, is better in that respect. Also the 16V turbo engine (taken from the Delta Integrale) is a total mismatch for this car. IMO the 2.4-20V is a wonderful, durable and very capable engine and very well suited to this car. But hands down the best is the 2.0-20V turbo. Combined with the 'sports' manual gearbox and limited slip dif, this 225hp and very torquey engine makes for a very fast car! Surprisingly, the 20V turbo is also the most fuel efficient engine option, at legal speeds at least. Road holding at high speeds is excellent, the big Brembo brakes (standard on the 20VT) as well. It will cruise all day at 200-225km/h, topping out above 240, while at those speeds the noise level is still remarkably low. Actually there is hardly any difference between 80 and 180km/h. Fast as it may be, it never feels fast. The driving experience is more like in slow motion, very relaxed. Visibility all round, and driver comfort (especially with the excellent Poltrona Frau full leather interior option) is also very good. I quite like my 20VT kC and think the design has aged well.
My friends grandma remarried to a rich Italian gentleman that bought a brand new Kappa in the 90's. They drove us kids from the neighborhood to the beach one time, it was incredibly luxurious and plush seating, nothing like we have ever experienced before.
see they even compared it with the best brand in the world and capable of doing millions of kilometers, i knew it weren´t 2.000€ bad spent and could buy the two the four door and the 2.0L 24valves coupé, this in 2007
Apparently Lancia is coming back to the UK next year. Not sure in what guise though. They won’t have their own brand specific dealerships from what I’ve been told
I pride myself on recognising almost any European car produced in the last 40 years, so well done for showing me something I had no idea of. Great video.
I just sold my Kappa Saloon 435 000 km. Never brake down. It is rare 2.0 20V with the same automatic gearbox you have on the video. We loved this car as a part of the family - thank you for the good review, good words. I can say it handled better than Audi A4 at the same year. How elegant, how beautiful. I can only agree with the "fake wood" comment, unfortunately I thought the same. If you scratch it you will see it is real. Lancia some how make possible a real wood to look like plastic. Proper Lancia :) Thank you again - it brought tears.
This is gorgeous. I honestly didn't know this car even existed. I've certainly never seen one, and I have a sneaking suspicion that Jack drove 50% of all known coupe survivors when he filmed this. Very beautiful car, and I really, really want one. Bet I live the rest of my life and never see one though.
I've driven Thema, Kappa and Thesis (still own few of them) and i can conclude that the Kappa was hands down the best they made. The old Thema was rust prone and flexed a lot at later years. The Thesis although as a design a world apart was plagued by electronic gremlins. The Kappa none of that. Top quality.
@@johnmoruzzi7236 I can tell you that they definitely dismantled an E34 5-series, as I saw it in the engineering and design offices of Fiat back then. No idea about the Saab. 🙂
Unfortunately I disagree with the quality statement. I've driven the saloon and the electrical system was a total disaster to the point that due to a short circuit, the car caught fire followed by a tree month repair! During its entire life this car was plagued by electrical problems: half the time some of the instruments didn't work. What a disappointment after 220.000 km in a 2.0 L Thema Turbo which ran without any problem.
Had 4 Kappa coupe's in my life , next to my Maserati's and Ferrari, as a daily, I was so in love with them,.. what a line .. they had so much class .. amazing smooth and comfortable.. Def one of the most good looking Lancia's ever made,.. a throwback to Lancia of old, had 2 of the Busso's but I actually preferred the 5 Cyl 2.4 L which were amazing engines. The Busso in the K Coupe was mostly to give it smoothness but you didn't feel the power in it that much, and you didn't need too. Miss my Kappa's Coupe.
I do like that. Very much. I must admit I didn't know of its existence. I have always had a deep fondness for Lancia, ever since I bought a Delta, (don't get too excited, not an Integrale or even an HF turbo, but a 1.3 LX), many many years ago. The Delta replaced my Mk 2 Escort 1.1L, (which was my very first car), and although there were only a couple of years age difference between the two cars, there was a massive difference in the design and quality. It was like the design of the Delta was at least a decade newer than the Escort, (which it probably was). Being a regular at the local Lancia dealership parts department, and being on their mailing list, I was treated to tickets for launches at the motor show, evening events, (where a professional driver took us for a rather spirited drive around the country lanes in an Integeale 16V ), and other gifts. If only I had bought the Dedra I took a test drive in, which had a lovely interior finish, (similar to the Kappa). Great content as usual, and thanks for bringing back those very happy Lancia memories.
one of the best cars ever made ,i had the coupé version with 24 valves and bought for a 2.000€ amount a mint four door but only have it on my litle colection because it´s one of the best cars ever made
Great to see a Lancia Kappa Coupé on the channel, such a rare car and I think a very elegant design; hopefully, someone will come forward with a Saloon for comparison.
Thanks Jack for once again highlighting and driving an automobile we never saw here in the US. Amazing car and though Lancia were sold here in the only for a short period in the late 50’s and 60’s they are rarely seen.
Nice find. The 2L turbo 205cv is probably faster, more fun and not as rare. The Coupé was also one the last production of Carrozzeria Maggiora (they also worked on the Pantera -:) before they went bankrupt.
@@Schlipperschlopper Drove an 82 Gamma Coupé for almost 2 decades and would have bought a [Pininfarina] successor in a heartbeat. When they announced a new Coupé I was so in hope, and then they presented this thing. Pininfarina's Peugeot 406 Coupé was way more friendly to the eye. Not classic enough for me but compared to the Kappa it was night and day. The Fiat 130 Coupé was a Beauty, too, btw.
The body does look a bit top-heavy, so that the wheels look too small for it. If you look at the Mercedes W160 S-class, the same thing is also apparent - a quite tall body, making the wheels look too small
@@smhorse Correct. Proportions just don't fit. Too short, too high, the back too short and bulky. At these times, Mercedes were pretty ugly, TBH. I preferred BMWs over Merc back then, way more classic and streamlined, and elegant. Look at the 98 7-Series as an example. The front, the line, the back... an eye candy. I would say the last truly beautiful top-end BMW before they started with all the abominations. Lancia lost it in the 80s, after the Delta/Beta/Montecarlo/Gamma Coupé period. N.B. The Gamma Sedan was the ugliest thing I've ever seen. Forget this one.
Another lovely, relatively rare Italian luxury car from a time when they still made nice machinery. I'd never heard of this one, but living in the automotive backwaters of Australia I'd say it's one we'd never get here. Thank you Jack, keep "digging" these nice offerings up to show us.
There was a Kappa which sat for years in the underground car park under the covered market at Kilburn High Road. I used to see it when I used the car park regularly between 2006 and 2008. It was a dark metallic red, LHD (as all Kappas are), and carried an M-prefix plate (1994/5 registration). It never seemed to be driven, so did have a coating of dust. It might still be sitting there today.
I had a Lancia kappa saloon 3.0 v6 with manual,it was a dream car,and nothing that Germans had in it's time wasnt even close to Lancia except with V8 engines.What marveles car iz was.
0:56 You compare the 115.000 Kappas sold to the Thema's 335.000. The Thema was in production for 10 years, the Kappa only for 6. Given how much more upmarket & expensive it was (Thema 8.32 notwithstanding!), that's actually much better than I thought, given its reputation as a sales flop and the overall decline of executive car sales across the board you also touched on. The Coupé's 3.200 produced units certainly qualify as "rare" though, even for a hand built car! ;) I remember finding its design heavy-handed back in the day, but now, I appreciate the very conscious understatement Lancia was going for. I have high hopes for Lancia's iminent revival. Their slow death over the past years was a tragedy given their glorious past & reputation. Thank you for all these great videos! :)
As far as I know there was no Kappa Coupé with the "standard" 5-cylinder 2.0 (20v) 150 hp, it started with the 2.4 (also 5-cylinder, 175 hp), the 4 cylinder 2.0 Turbo 16v (at first) and the 3.0 V6 (24v), the turbo and the V6 had the same amount of hp's (205, which in the mid 90's was considered quite a lot), until the turbo was replaced a bit later with a 5 cylinder 20v, still 2.0 with 225 hp, but it could easily be tuned to 250hp (I've seen 3 or 4 and they all had 250 hp). I've driven the Coupé once and it was the exact same car as Jack (down to the color, although I think that it had a leather interior) and it's nice enough, but I think if you really wanted to have fun you should have had the 5-cylinder 20v Turbo (it also only comes with a manual and I think that it would suit a fast coupé better than the 4-speed manual, (which was very common at the time, e.g. the "Top" Maserati Quattroporte of that time, the 3.2 V8 Evo (biturbo) also came only with a 4-speed manual (without flippers or any other way to change gears yourself, as far as I know manuals were only available in Italy). I've had a Kappa 2.4 LX (with 175 hp) sedan, LX was the most luxurious version and it was a very nice car (and also very spacious, I got a baby at the time and had no problem putting the stroller and all kind of other stuff in the back). I bought it for €1500 and drove it for 3 years and this 2.4 5 cylinder was very comfortable, plenty of room for 3 or 4 passengers and still fun to drive and quite fast. I had one repair of €300, got €750 for it when I bought my next car, a Peugeot 607 3.0 V6, which was a lot newer so it had sat-nav and you could connect your phone, but (although it looked a bit bigger, the boot was less big and less practical).
We had a Kappa 2,0 turbo estate for a long time when i was growing up. It was a fantastic car, the interior was such a nice place to be and the 210hp engine was punchy and strong. It never ever failed us and was always such a cool car. It was replaced by an Alfa 166.
love this channel nowhere else are we seeing obscure gems brought from the shadows. and kudos to those owners allowing jack to road test their precious items. jack shows respect by acknowledging the limitations of these vehicles be they inherent flaws or simply the age and the fact they belong to someone else
Great car, I had a 2l 16v Turbo Estate manual, you should try one, they are fantastic, the faster you go the more they grip. Lancia were the inventors of fast FWD cars Another great review, keep them coming.
Lol... I noticed same on a a Fiat Punto HGT... more grip at high speed... in highway at 160-200 it behave amazingly on turns... better than at 120-140...
Always enjoyed your channel. Once I saw this Lancia Kappa coupe I subscribed. I have seen a Lancia coupe and wagon in Lisbon. Great looking car all these years later.
My first car was a mk1 Fiat Strada; yes, it was deeply flawed, but there was a lot I liked and until it desolved in the rain it was mechanically reliable. It also left me with a taste for the unusual so this car hits the spot for me 😊
Another great video, Jack. You have hit a rich vein of content at the moment. I look forward to seeing these reviews. Never heard of the Kappa coupe before. It's a quirky car, to say the least. Thanks again for the great content
I've been interested in these for ages but finding one is virtually impossible. I've had the Rover 800 coupe in 2.0 and 2.7 forms and really enjoyed them. Visually more successful to my eyes but lacked body stiffness. I'm sad to say that these 'modern classics' are beginning to be priced off the roads, not by tax or even fuel costs as I'd expected, but by insurance costs. Essentially they are now mainly kept as weekend toys and with people's budgets under pressure as they are, it's this kind of thing that many people can no longer justify keeping. High rollers with very valuable cars can always find the money, but it's the good, sub £5000 cars from 1995 to 2005 that are under threat.
Hi Jack, others have said it, but might I add that I really enjoy your channel and the variety of very interesting cars you review. Brilliant stuff. Viva Italia 🇮🇹
Alfa 166 came with a 4 speed Sportronic auto gearbox - had both the 2.5 and 3.0 litre busso versions. Latter was best for little loss in mpg. Went very well and in sport mode, wailed as the gears were held higher up therev range. Some of the nicest drivers cars I've had. Had a Thema 16v turbo which was a blast!
Hi Jack ! Very nice vehicle. I own 1991 Thema 2.0 Turbo 16 Valve 20 years ago. Lancia make impressive vehicle The Kappa Coupe value goes up now big time !👍
Owned one 5 cilinder with manual gearbox for many years... very confortable suspension, gorgeous leather seats, a bit sporty because of less weight than the buso model in the front... but... failures started: the engine (mechanical, electrical), gearbox... I've never spent so much money in the garage... It will last forever in my heart, but last years were a nightmare... regards
Giacomo,I had this car from 1998 to 2000,Lancia blue,with the 5 cylinder 2000 20v turbo engine that,with 220 cv was the most powerful for the K. It was ugly but has been by far the best car I've ever had. With the 5 cylinder turbo was a very fast object. The back of the car,with the fins and those staggered surfaces is an horror masterpiece.
The saloon version was at the time very well-engineered! In Holland it was nicknamed the "Italian Mercedes" definitely better than an Audi A6 at the time! it's main rival! I think the UK missed out on a great large executive car and also the successor the Thesis. I'm going out on a limb here but I think the Lancia Kappa and Lancia Thesis were the best (non-German) large executive cars in the world! that would have been a close match for Mercedes & BMW if they came to the UK certainly better than Audi at the time.
My dad had a Lancia Y10 back in the nineties and it was the Fila model. Way cooler than krappa. Anyway, he said it was 'too fast' on the motorway as it could creep up to an indicated 100mph if you weren't careful. Lol. Dads eh? .. gotta love 'em.
I quite like the Kappa - it’s just doesn’t have the sheer beauty of the Gamma coupe. Nice interior though - that’s one area that I think modern Lancias always excelled at. Love the Alcantara trim!
Italy's ... Rover 800 coupé? In many ways I would say they're quite similar: both of them comfortable luxury/quality coupé's, derived from a large saloon of a volume manufacturer. You can assume in both cases that manufacturer would've been beter off not making it, but for those few (usually somewhat older) people who still had an interest in the concept, they were a very pleasant surprise. The kappa coupé is a very appealing car in a strange way, it has a certain presence, but I think I would prefer it with the 2.4 engine.
Came here to make the same comparison with the big Rover. As well as being a market competitor, the Lancia even has a hint of the Rover’s looks about it, too.
Very cool. That bussy sounds good in this car. Thank you for showcasing this car. So many I had no idea existed until you mentioned or it was mentioned in Gran Turismo. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
Very unique auto. Looks like the automatic transmission gear selector and lower console with hand brake was for a right hand drive car. Great video review!
Lovely to see a K coupe on your channel. I had the pleasure of owning a 3.0 coupe, a 20vt coupe and a 3.0 sedan back in the early 2000s. The sedan was the more accomplished car I felt. The 20vt had a manual box but didn't have the same vicious boost the fiat 20vt coupe had. But lovely cars and really underrated. Of course we didn't get them in the uk so few opportuni
It is an interesting car. Odd looking from the side (short wheel base, lomg overhang at the front, small wheels), it is quite nice from front and rear. And to be honest, I would like to have a little bit of this Busso-sound in my Merc CLK320. Just a little...
The design cues respectively pay homage to the Pinninfarina designed Flaminia Coupe of the late 1950's. Albeit I would categorize the Kappa as institutional industrial design and the Flaminia as sublime artistic expression utilizing centuries of acquired skills in the artisan metalworking (and upholstery) trades.
At the start I tought what the hell is that, by the end I really liked it, very well sorted lancia, busso sounds nice when revved on the fly by, well done again jack another gem 👍
I'm sticking my neck out here perhaps, but in my opinion your reviews and presentation are the best I've come across on the interwebs. Keep up the sterling work Jack, we're all loving it 💪🏼😎
The general public forgets that LANCIA was the inventor pioneer of the following: the 1st full-production V6 engine, the 1st independent suspension, the 1st monocoque-type steel body, the 1st 5-speed gearbox, the 1st rally car etc... is it any wonder Top Gear programme once described Lancia as the "greatest car marque in automotive history!" What has Audi or BMW invented in comparison??
Lancia had a habit of taking a standard design and turning it into a sporty one. Much like the Kappa, the Beta Zagato was pretty much identical to its plainer siblings - until you reached the A-pillars, Everything from there back was unique to the Zagato, and much of it (like the Kappa) hand built. And much like the Kappa, it got its power plant from another Italian make - my 1982 Zagato had the fuel-injected 2-liter from FIAT's 124 Spider.
there are many cars built by zagato what was yours , 82 with the engine of the 124 sport ,hum! that´s making fiat the best world car builder but i thought it was ferrari with lancia and also have some fiats in my colection so i do know , that like the gtv talked recentelly that never existed but the GT and GTjunior 2000,1750 and 1300 as i displayed them, gtv only in 76 like the GTV sprint veloce and later gtv6 four leaf clover
I was just thinking this car really reminds me of my original Walter de Silva model 166 3.0 Lusso, and when I checked the 166 was indeed based on the Kappa platform. I had the 4-speed auto as it was going to be often stuck in traffic and that was definitely the weak point in the driving experience. It was fine for refinement but the steps between the gears were too much. I wonder what a manual Kappa Coupe would be like?
had two of them. a 2,4 five cylinder and that 3,0 six - took always about a year or two to spot another one on the road (15 years ago in germany). nice and rare. the high quality "Poltrona Frau" leather interior was a must as the alcantara always looks dirty. thank you for presenting this forgotten car.
I lived in Italy for eighteen years, starting in the mid-1990s. I can’t recall ever seeing the coupé version of this car. Given the fact that it had the Busso V6, and consequently would have been expensive to run and register, plus the natural Italian aversion to paying taxes of any kind, it doesn’t surprise me that I never saw one on the road. P.S. Mr. Number 27, I can tell you have Italian heritage by the way you cross the lines in the middle of the road… It makes me chuckle every time I notice it.
Another balanced review and the sound of that engine being stretched is a thing of wonder. The Kappa never made it to Australia as the steering wheel was on the left.
I had the v6 saloon auto in the same colour .lovely car only paid 700 quid for it .the wood dash was awful but the build quality coming out of a delta hf turbo was light yrs in front.enjoyed my time with it and didn't lose money on it .found it interesting getting it insured no one knew what it was but ended up getting it covered for 300 quid.harry metcalfe had one aswell ...albeit a deal with his fulvia but I can say I had a harry car 😂.they did a 16v turbo from thema a 20vt and a jtd 2.4
I think it is a well designed car for its time. It does have the right engine for the size of the car as well though you say other engines were available this seems right. Just a shame they didn't sell more but at least they tried! Thanks Jack for another great review and no I don't think I have seen one. 👍👍
a friend of mine has the Coupé with the 5-cyl engine, and manual tranny. He lets me drive it every once in a while. Wonderfully euphonic engine, the sounds are typical for a five, only better than most -- it changes from speed to speed, and is always interesting, always nice to listen to! The clutch is stiff, not at all good for city driving. Suspension is great on the autobahn, stabil and forgiving. Yet in town it feels stiff-legged, and one is reminded that Alfa declined installing such a simple set-up in the 164 and 166, saying their customers expected better. If they weren't so thirsty, I'd buy one myself. Lovely cars, holding up very well, yet cheap to buy.
Hey Jack, you know youre videos are excellent when a bloke in Australia who worked in the auction indistry for 35+ years gets up, grabs a coffee and watches the latest one. I feel in the design of theis it has elements at the rear of the nissan skyline 2 door from certain angles 🤔
Hi Jack, super with making a review of the Kappa. I'm the happy recent owner of a Kappa 2.0t SW. I.e. a quite rare estate designed and built by Pininfarina. Not many were produced with the Lampredi turbo twin-cam 16V engine.
Somewhat reminds me of my '95 Honda Legend Coupe 3.2. Also auto box. Loads of luxury and power but never could deliver it's full potential. Thanks for another great video Jack! Greetings from the Netherlands
I owned an Alfa Romeo 164 Lusso for 4 years and that was my exposure to Busso engine. From where I stand, the Busso is a standard luxury engine - this was the only engine fitted for American spec and it did an awesome job. I really don't understand what you are seeking to establish or even prove here. Perhaps in Europe it is different, but Busso was used in luxury cars a lot more frequently than you imagine and it did it very well.
For the time the interior looks fine but that side view is awful. It looks like it's had 3 feet cut from the wheelbase and then given 13" wheels. Imagine choosing this over a BMW or Mercedes in the 90's... I suppose very few did. Crazy management decisions though. They put a huge amount of effort into building it well which probably cost a fortune, then produced a design that looks little short of weird. Car design shouldn't be that hard. The rear end is a complicated mess of angles and awkward shutlines. The front looks like a Skoda. They were targeting the Germans but it looks like they'd never walked into a showroom and actually looked at one. Unlike today, BMW's actually looked quite elegant back then.
When I lived in Gießen there was one the same colour as the one your driving, wasn't too fussed on the front, but I did like the look of the rear. Never heard it running as the only time I'd ever see it was parked in the Rathaus carpark, but from your video, they sound nice.
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Yes I have seen quite a few in my time in Switzerland and they're interesting
Stellantis has big plans for Lancia and will give the brand 10 years to reestablish itself
I'm on my second kappa coupé now. The first one was rear ended beyond repair at 475.000km while still in perfect condition. My second is now at 250.000. Multiple kappa owners have passed the 1M km.
I have driven all engine combinations and have to admit that the V6/auto combo is not the most lively one. The V6 manual, very rare, is better in that respect. Also the 16V turbo engine (taken from the Delta Integrale) is a total mismatch for this car. IMO the 2.4-20V is a wonderful, durable and very capable engine and very well suited to this car. But hands down the best is the 2.0-20V turbo. Combined with the 'sports' manual gearbox and limited slip dif, this 225hp and very torquey engine makes for a very fast car! Surprisingly, the 20V turbo is also the most fuel efficient engine option, at legal speeds at least. Road holding at high speeds is excellent, the big Brembo brakes (standard on the 20VT) as well. It will cruise all day at 200-225km/h, topping out above 240, while at those speeds the noise level is still remarkably low. Actually there is hardly any difference between 80 and 180km/h. Fast as it may be, it never feels fast. The driving experience is more like in slow motion, very relaxed. Visibility all round, and driver comfort (especially with the excellent Poltrona Frau full leather interior option) is also very good. I quite like my 20VT kC and think the design has aged well.
Agree 👍
Was even more frugal in the Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo. (As its lighter & better aero)
Fiat Powertrain was & is worldleading!
@@pereldh5741 Agree 👍
My friends grandma remarried to a rich Italian gentleman that bought a brand new Kappa in the 90's. They drove us kids from the neighborhood to the beach one time, it was incredibly luxurious and plush seating, nothing like we have ever experienced before.
In Holland the Lancia Kappa saloons were known as the "Italian Mercedes" due to their high mileage capabilities!! loved by Dutch taxi drivers.
see they even compared it with the best brand in the world and capable of doing millions of kilometers, i knew it weren´t 2.000€ bad spent and could buy the two the four door and the 2.0L 24valves coupé, this in 2007
What a shame that this lovely brand has been reduced to nothing.
Apparently Lancia is coming back to the UK next year. Not sure in what guise though. They won’t have their own brand specific dealerships from what I’ve been told
Agree. What nice vehicle !
The totally fault of Sergio Marchione that ruin the Lancia brand.
The Sergio Marchione former F.C.A. C.E.O ruin the Lancia brand.
Lancia should have merged with Maserati
A truly heartbreaking end Lancia didn't deserve. At all.
10 years ago my dad had a Kappa wagon. The ride quality was truly impressive. The design was also very stylish. Very stand out car.
I pride myself on recognising almost any European car produced in the last 40 years, so well done for showing me something I had no idea of. Great video.
I just sold my Kappa Saloon 435 000 km. Never brake down. It is rare 2.0 20V with the same automatic gearbox you have on the video. We loved this car as a part of the family - thank you for the good review, good words. I can say it handled better than Audi A4 at the same year. How elegant, how beautiful. I can only agree with the "fake wood" comment, unfortunately I thought the same. If you scratch it you will see it is real. Lancia some how make possible a real wood to look like plastic. Proper Lancia :) Thank you again - it brought tears.
This is gorgeous. I honestly didn't know this car even existed. I've certainly never seen one, and I have a sneaking suspicion that Jack drove 50% of all known coupe survivors when he filmed this. Very beautiful car, and I really, really want one. Bet I live the rest of my life and never see one though.
It’s for sale by me!
I've driven Thema, Kappa and Thesis (still own few of them) and i can conclude that the Kappa was hands down the best they made. The old Thema was rust prone and flexed a lot at later years. The Thesis although as a design a world apart was plagued by electronic gremlins. The Kappa none of that. Top quality.
I wonder if Lancia dismantled a Saab 9000 so see how the Swedes improved the Croma / Thema / Alfa 164 platform and bodyshell ?
@@johnmoruzzi7236 I can tell you that they definitely dismantled an E34 5-series, as I saw it in the engineering and design offices of Fiat back then. No idea about the Saab. 🙂
Unfortunately I disagree with the quality statement. I've driven the saloon and the electrical system was a total disaster to the point that due to a short circuit, the car caught fire followed by a tree month repair! During its entire life this car was plagued by electrical problems: half the time some of the instruments didn't work. What a disappointment after 220.000 km in a 2.0 L Thema Turbo which ran without any problem.
@@onsmanneke9086 I had it just they other way around, Thema full of issues, Kappa none.
@@dlevi67 Any Honda Legends or Lexus LS400/Toyota Celsiors in the Fiat design and engineering offices? 🙂
Had 4 Kappa coupe's in my life , next to my Maserati's and Ferrari, as a daily, I was so in love with them,.. what a line .. they had so much class .. amazing smooth and comfortable.. Def one of the most good looking Lancia's ever made,.. a throwback to Lancia of old, had 2 of the Busso's but I actually preferred the 5 Cyl 2.4 L which were amazing engines. The Busso in the K Coupe was mostly to give it smoothness but you didn't feel the power in it that much, and you didn't need too. Miss my Kappa's Coupe.
true, there is no need for the V6, ithink the 2,4ltr short shift is the best choice!
I do like that. Very much. I must admit I didn't know of its existence. I have always had a deep fondness for Lancia, ever since I bought a Delta, (don't get too excited, not an Integrale or even an HF turbo, but a 1.3 LX), many many years ago. The Delta replaced my Mk 2 Escort 1.1L, (which was my very first car), and although there were only a couple of years age difference between the two cars, there was a massive difference in the design and quality. It was like the design of the Delta was at least a decade newer than the Escort, (which it probably was). Being a regular at the local Lancia dealership parts department, and being on their mailing list, I was treated to tickets for launches at the motor show, evening events, (where a professional driver took us for a rather spirited drive around the country lanes in an Integeale 16V ), and other gifts. If only I had bought the Dedra I took a test drive in, which had a lovely interior finish, (similar to the Kappa). Great content as usual, and thanks for bringing back those very happy Lancia memories.
I had an HF Turbo. I loved it.
one of the best cars ever made ,i had the coupé version with 24 valves and bought for a 2.000€ amount a mint four door but only have it on my litle colection because it´s one of the best cars ever made
Great to see a Lancia Kappa Coupé on the channel, such a rare car and I think a very elegant design; hopefully, someone will come forward with a Saloon for comparison.
Thanks Jack for once again highlighting and driving an automobile we never saw here in the US. Amazing car and though Lancia were sold here in the only for a short period in the late 50’s and 60’s they are rarely seen.
this kind of car I feel like would sell quite well if marketed right in the US
For me nothing beats an Italian V6! What a sound!! Love the rest of the car too…!
Nice find. The 2L turbo 205cv is probably faster, more fun and not as rare. The Coupé was also one the last production of Carrozzeria Maggiora (they also worked on the Pantera -:) before they went bankrupt.
Always a delight to see one of these here on the continent, a rare beast indeed and a car that looks much better in real life than on a video.
Never heard of this car before. Nice to see such a rare car with an even rarer engine.
I actually like the styling. Understated and elegant like a Lancia should be.
too short wheelbase, if it had the wheelbase and size of a Fiat 130 Coupé 3200 it would have been a pretty car!
@@Schlipperschlopper Drove an 82 Gamma Coupé for almost 2 decades and would have bought a [Pininfarina] successor in a heartbeat. When they announced a new Coupé I was so in hope, and then they presented this thing. Pininfarina's Peugeot 406 Coupé was way more friendly to the eye. Not classic enough for me but compared to the Kappa it was night and day. The Fiat 130 Coupé was a Beauty, too, btw.
The body does look a bit top-heavy, so that the wheels look too small for it. If you look at the Mercedes W160 S-class, the same thing is also apparent - a quite tall body, making the wheels look too small
yes and dont forget the Ferrari 412i @@JustARandomFio
@@smhorse Correct. Proportions just don't fit. Too short, too high, the back too short and bulky. At these times, Mercedes were pretty ugly, TBH. I preferred BMWs over Merc back then, way more classic and streamlined, and elegant. Look at the 98 7-Series as an example. The front, the line, the back... an eye candy. I would say the last truly beautiful top-end BMW before they started with all the abominations. Lancia lost it in the 80s, after the Delta/Beta/Montecarlo/Gamma Coupé period. N.B. The Gamma Sedan was the ugliest thing I've ever seen. Forget this one.
Another lovely, relatively rare Italian luxury car from a time when they still made nice machinery. I'd never heard of this one, but living in the automotive backwaters of Australia I'd say it's one we'd never get here. Thank you Jack, keep "digging" these nice offerings up to show us.
There was a Kappa which sat for years in the underground car park under the covered market at Kilburn High Road. I used to see it when I used the car park regularly between 2006 and 2008. It was a dark metallic red, LHD (as all Kappas are), and carried an M-prefix plate (1994/5 registration). It never seemed to be driven, so did have a coating of dust. It might still be sitting there today.
Had Four New Lancia's Inc a Gamma, the one that evaded me was the Monte, fab car.
I had a Lancia kappa saloon 3.0 v6 with manual,it was a dream car,and nothing that Germans had in it's time wasnt even close to Lancia except with V8 engines.What marveles car iz was.
"You won't see another one on the road... Or, anywhere.". Absolutely classic, Jack! Another niche shed light upon - thanks, mate. ❤
0:56 You compare the 115.000 Kappas sold to the Thema's 335.000. The Thema was in production for 10 years, the Kappa only for 6. Given how much more upmarket & expensive it was (Thema 8.32 notwithstanding!), that's actually much better than I thought, given its reputation as a sales flop and the overall decline of executive car sales across the board you also touched on. The Coupé's 3.200 produced units certainly qualify as "rare" though, even for a hand built car! ;) I remember finding its design heavy-handed back in the day, but now, I appreciate the very conscious understatement Lancia was going for. I have high hopes for Lancia's iminent revival. Their slow death over the past years was a tragedy given their glorious past & reputation. Thank you for all these great videos! :)
it is a big mistake to think the fun of driving depends only onhorsepower!!
@@michaelpielorz9283 ? did you mean to post this statement as a reply to my post? I didn't even mention horsepower.
There’s only about 3 of these known in the uk, super exclusive.
My relative is looking to sell a 2.4 manual with ivory leather early next year.
As far as I know there was no Kappa Coupé with the "standard" 5-cylinder 2.0 (20v) 150 hp, it started with the 2.4 (also 5-cylinder, 175 hp), the 4 cylinder 2.0 Turbo 16v (at first) and the 3.0 V6 (24v), the turbo and the V6 had the same amount of hp's (205, which in the mid 90's was considered quite a lot), until the turbo was replaced a bit later with a 5 cylinder 20v, still 2.0 with 225 hp, but it could easily be tuned to 250hp (I've seen 3 or 4 and they all had 250 hp). I've driven the Coupé once and it was the exact same car as Jack (down to the color, although I think that it had a leather interior) and it's nice enough, but I think if you really wanted to have fun you should have had the 5-cylinder 20v Turbo (it also only comes with a manual and I think that it would suit a fast coupé better than the 4-speed manual, (which was very common at the time, e.g. the "Top" Maserati Quattroporte of that time, the 3.2 V8 Evo (biturbo) also came only with a 4-speed manual (without flippers or any other way to change gears yourself, as far as I know manuals were only available in Italy).
I've had a Kappa 2.4 LX (with 175 hp) sedan, LX was the most luxurious version and it was a very nice car (and also very spacious, I got a baby at the time and had no problem putting the stroller and all kind of other stuff in the back). I bought it for €1500 and drove it for 3 years and this 2.4 5 cylinder was very comfortable, plenty of room for 3 or 4 passengers and still fun to drive and quite fast. I had one repair of €300, got €750 for it when I bought my next car, a Peugeot 607 3.0 V6, which was a lot newer so it had sat-nav and you could connect your phone, but (although it looked a bit bigger, the boot was less big and less practical).
We had a Kappa 2,0 turbo estate for a long time when i was growing up. It was a fantastic car, the interior was such a nice place to be and the 210hp engine was punchy and strong. It never ever failed us and was always such a cool car. It was replaced by an Alfa 166.
Such a beauty. If only they made it with the 5 pot mated to an automatic. Quality was superb. Its like the italian W124
love this channel nowhere else are we seeing obscure gems brought from the shadows. and kudos to those owners allowing jack to road test their precious items. jack shows respect by acknowledging the limitations of these vehicles be they inherent flaws or simply the age and the fact they belong to someone else
I remember someone in my street had a brown/copperish coupe back then. I used to look twice when I walked by.
Great car, I had a 2l 16v Turbo Estate manual, you should try one, they are fantastic, the faster you go the more they grip. Lancia were the inventors of fast FWD cars
Another great review, keep them coming.
Lol... I noticed same on a a Fiat Punto HGT... more grip at high speed... in highway at 160-200 it behave amazingly on turns... better than at 120-140...
Never even heard of it, given the last Lancia to come to Australia was the Beta. Fascinating thanks Jack 😊
Always enjoyed your channel. Once I saw this Lancia Kappa coupe I subscribed. I have seen a Lancia coupe and wagon in Lisbon. Great looking car all these years later.
My first car was a mk1 Fiat Strada; yes, it was deeply flawed, but there was a lot I liked and until it desolved in the rain it was mechanically reliable. It also left me with a taste for the unusual so this car hits the spot for me 😊
Another great video, Jack. You have hit a rich vein of content at the moment. I look forward to seeing these reviews.
Never heard of the Kappa coupe before. It's a quirky car, to say the least.
Thanks again for the great content
I've been interested in these for ages but finding one is virtually impossible. I've had the Rover 800 coupe in 2.0 and 2.7 forms and really enjoyed them. Visually more successful to my eyes but lacked body stiffness.
I'm sad to say that these 'modern classics' are beginning to be priced off the roads, not by tax or even fuel costs as I'd expected, but by insurance costs. Essentially they are now mainly kept as weekend toys and with people's budgets under pressure as they are, it's this kind of thing that many people can no longer justify keeping. High rollers with very valuable cars can always find the money, but it's the good, sub £5000 cars from 1995 to 2005 that are under threat.
Would be nice to hear that Alfa Romeo V6 with an aftermarket exhaust. I love the little blue elephant emblem on the back! 🐘🗨😄
It’s got a new Stainless steel exhaust on it !!
That's only averaging about 1600 miles a year going by the MOT history. So despite the high miles it's quite pampered now. A lovely car tbh.
Hi Jack, others have said it, but might I add that I really enjoy your channel and the variety of very interesting cars you review. Brilliant stuff. Viva Italia 🇮🇹
Alfa 166 came with a 4 speed Sportronic auto gearbox - had both the 2.5 and 3.0 litre busso versions. Latter was best for little loss in mpg. Went very well and in sport mode, wailed as the gears were held higher up therev range. Some of the nicest drivers cars I've had. Had a Thema 16v turbo which was a blast!
Hi Jack ! Very nice vehicle. I own 1991 Thema 2.0 Turbo 16 Valve 20 years ago. Lancia make impressive vehicle
The Kappa Coupe value goes up now big time !👍
I never knew, until now, that the coupè existed. I really like it. Thanks for the review
Thats a very nice looking car. Not Alfa pretty, but very nice. Engine sounds great too.
I wouldn't mind a good drive in it.
Owned one 5 cilinder with manual gearbox for many years... very confortable suspension, gorgeous leather seats, a bit sporty because of less weight than the buso model in the front... but... failures started: the engine (mechanical, electrical), gearbox... I've never spent so much money in the garage...
It will last forever in my heart, but last years were a nightmare... regards
Wow that is rare! I've seen more McLaren F1's on the road than Kappa Coupé s.
In the flesh, it's a very beautiful car.
Giacomo,I had this car from 1998 to 2000,Lancia blue,with the 5 cylinder 2000 20v turbo engine that,with 220 cv was the most powerful for the K. It was ugly but has been by far the best car I've ever had. With the 5 cylinder turbo was a very fast object. The back of the car,with the fins and those staggered surfaces is an horror masterpiece.
The saloon version was at the time very well-engineered! In Holland it was nicknamed the "Italian Mercedes" definitely better than an Audi A6 at the time! it's main rival! I think the UK missed out on a great large executive car and also the successor the Thesis. I'm going out on a limb here but I think the Lancia Kappa and Lancia Thesis were the best (non-German) large executive cars in the world! that would have been a close match for Mercedes & BMW if they came to the UK certainly better than Audi at the time.
My dad had a Lancia Y10 back in the nineties and it was the Fila model. Way cooler than krappa.
Anyway, he said it was 'too fast' on the motorway as it could creep up to an indicated 100mph if you weren't careful.
Lol.
Dads eh? .. gotta love 'em.
Lovely looking car the Kappa....I was never keen on track suits they made tho😂, cracking stuff as always Jack buddy 👏
Never heard of one of those before, these videos are brilliant.
I quite like the Kappa - it’s just doesn’t have the sheer beauty of the Gamma coupe. Nice interior though - that’s one area that I think modern Lancias always excelled at. Love the Alcantara trim!
Italy's ... Rover 800 coupé? In many ways I would say they're quite similar: both of them comfortable luxury/quality coupé's, derived from a large saloon of a volume manufacturer. You can assume in both cases that manufacturer would've been beter off not making it, but for those few (usually somewhat older) people who still had an interest in the concept, they were a very pleasant surprise. The kappa coupé is a very appealing car in a strange way, it has a certain presence, but I think I would prefer it with the 2.4 engine.
Came here to make the same comparison with the big Rover. As well as being a market competitor, the Lancia even has a hint of the Rover’s looks about it, too.
I do agree with you as well, the Rover 800 coupé was a very similar concept. Always thought so. I loved both.
Absolutely! I would draw the comparison to the Honda Legend coupe version of the Rover.
Love coupes like these
Greetings from Turin, the K coupé has been a rare car to spot on Italian roads since new.
Very cool. That bussy sounds good in this car. Thank you for showcasing this car. So many I had no idea existed until you mentioned or it was mentioned in Gran Turismo. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
Love this car - it has so much character and reminds me of my old 164 but more luxurious 🙂
Very unique auto. Looks like the automatic transmission gear selector and lower console with hand brake was for a right hand drive car. Great video review!
I thought exactly the same!
How are you meant to push the shift button? with your little finger, that's crazy.
Such an elegant yet underrated design... Love the K coupé ❤
To me it looks extremely tall, much taller than it actually is. However I rather like it, the design is uncommon and attractive.
I would love one with 5cyl turbo.
Agree 👍
Get your eyes tested, mate.
Lovely to see a K coupe on your channel. I had the pleasure of owning a 3.0 coupe, a 20vt coupe and a 3.0 sedan back in the early 2000s. The sedan was the more accomplished car I felt. The 20vt had a manual box but didn't have the same vicious boost the fiat 20vt coupe had. But lovely cars and really underrated. Of course we didn't get them in the uk so few opportuni
Few opportunities for anyone here to enjoy them. The base coupe was a 2.4 na 5 pot.... The sedan and sw had the 2.0 na 5 cylinder.
It is an interesting car. Odd looking from the side (short wheel base, lomg overhang at the front, small wheels), it is quite nice from front and rear. And to be honest, I would like to have a little bit of this Busso-sound in my Merc CLK320. Just a little...
The design cues respectively pay homage to the Pinninfarina designed Flaminia Coupe of the late 1950's. Albeit I would categorize the Kappa as institutional industrial design and the Flaminia as sublime artistic expression utilizing centuries of acquired skills in the artisan metalworking (and upholstery) trades.
At the start I tought what the hell is that, by the end I really liked it, very well sorted lancia, busso sounds nice when revved on the fly by, well done again jack another gem 👍
I'm sticking my neck out here perhaps, but in my opinion your reviews and presentation are the best I've come across on the interwebs.
Keep up the sterling work Jack, we're all loving it 💪🏼😎
The general public forgets that LANCIA was the inventor pioneer of the following: the 1st full-production V6 engine, the 1st independent suspension, the 1st monocoque-type steel body, the 1st 5-speed gearbox, the 1st rally car etc... is it any wonder Top Gear programme once described Lancia as the "greatest car marque in automotive history!" What has Audi or BMW invented in comparison??
Lancia had a habit of taking a standard design and turning it into a sporty one. Much like the Kappa, the Beta Zagato was pretty much identical to its plainer siblings - until you reached the A-pillars, Everything from there back was unique to the Zagato, and much of it (like the Kappa) hand built. And much like the Kappa, it got its power plant from another Italian make - my 1982 Zagato had the fuel-injected 2-liter from FIAT's 124 Spider.
there are many cars built by zagato what was yours , 82 with the engine of the 124 sport ,hum! that´s making fiat the best world car builder but i thought it was ferrari with lancia and also have some fiats in my colection so i do know , that like the gtv talked recentelly that never existed but the GT and GTjunior 2000,1750 and 1300 as i displayed them, gtv only in 76 like the GTV sprint veloce and later gtv6 four leaf clover
The pinnacle of lancis for me just brilliant
Could you get a hold of a Lancia Beta HPE? I’d love to see that.
Especially a Volumex!
Or a Coupe
I'd truly forgotten about the Cappa. I think I did see one, a saloon, once. Nice one Jack.
Looks like one of the designs that was binned for the rover 825/ 827 coupe to my eyes.
I think its beautiful jack
I was just thinking this car really reminds me of my original Walter de Silva model 166 3.0 Lusso, and when I checked the 166 was indeed based on the Kappa platform. I had the 4-speed auto as it was going to be often stuck in traffic and that was definitely the weak point in the driving experience. It was fine for refinement but the steps between the gears were too much. I wonder what a manual Kappa Coupe would be like?
had two of them. a 2,4 five cylinder and that 3,0 six - took always about a year or two to spot another one on the road (15 years ago in germany). nice and rare. the high quality "Poltrona Frau" leather interior was a must as the alcantara always looks dirty. thank you for presenting this forgotten car.
Interesting car, thanks for the video...
Used to own one of these. A 1997 black one with beige leather interior. Engine was the straight four turbo with five speed manual. I regret i sold it.
I lived in Italy for eighteen years, starting in the mid-1990s. I can’t recall ever seeing the coupé version of this car.
Given the fact that it had the Busso V6, and consequently would have been expensive to run and register, plus the natural Italian aversion to paying taxes of any kind, it doesn’t surprise me that I never saw one on the road.
P.S. Mr. Number 27, I can tell you have Italian heritage by the way you cross the lines in the middle of the road… It makes me chuckle every time I notice it.
Another balanced review and the sound of that engine being stretched is a thing of wonder. The Kappa never made it to Australia as the steering wheel was on the left.
I had the v6 saloon auto in the same colour .lovely car only paid 700 quid for it .the wood dash was awful but the build quality coming out of a delta hf turbo was light yrs in front.enjoyed my time with it and didn't lose money on it .found it interesting getting it insured no one knew what it was but ended up getting it covered for 300 quid.harry metcalfe had one aswell ...albeit a deal with his fulvia but I can say I had a harry car 😂.they did a 16v turbo from thema a 20vt and a jtd 2.4
I think it is a well designed car for its time. It does have the right engine for the size of the car as well though you say other engines were available this seems right. Just a shame they didn't sell more but at least they tried! Thanks Jack for another great review and no I don't think I have seen one. 👍👍
Are you *the* Stephen Ricketts from Canterbury?
No@@danieleregoli812
This is a car I had never heard of. And I, like most of my generation, have a soft spot for Lancia. It definately has a Rover 800 look at the front.
I think "funky" is the best adjective for this car. Amazing that it makes Busso noises. Love it!
Looks fabulous!
It came out in 1994.
Fun fact: rear lights on a coupe are from the delta 2, just split in two
You have to try a turbo 16 valves version of Lampredi engine in this body. You will some impressive feeling from this mixt.
Hints of post '93 Saab 900 and Rover 600 coupe in there.
a friend of mine has the Coupé with the 5-cyl engine, and manual tranny. He lets me drive it every once in a while.
Wonderfully euphonic engine, the sounds are typical for a five, only better than most -- it changes from speed to speed, and is always interesting, always nice to listen to!
The clutch is stiff, not at all good for city driving.
Suspension is great on the autobahn, stabil and forgiving. Yet in town it feels stiff-legged, and one is reminded that Alfa declined installing such a simple set-up in the 164 and 166, saying their customers expected better.
If they weren't so thirsty, I'd buy one myself. Lovely cars, holding up very well, yet cheap to buy.
Hey Jack, you know youre videos are excellent when a bloke in Australia who worked in the auction indistry for 35+ years gets up, grabs a coffee and watches the latest one.
I feel in the design of theis it has elements at the rear of the nissan skyline 2 door from certain angles 🤔
Italian secrets is what is making this channel the best
Hi Jack, super with making a review of the Kappa. I'm the happy recent owner of a Kappa 2.0t SW. I.e. a quite rare estate designed and built by Pininfarina. Not many were produced with the Lampredi turbo twin-cam 16V engine.
Beautiful car.
Somewhat reminds me of my '95 Honda Legend Coupe 3.2.
Also auto box.
Loads of luxury and power but never could deliver it's full potential.
Thanks for another great video Jack!
Greetings from the Netherlands
Beautiful design, just love it. Would like to own one. 🙂
It’s for sale!
Please can you do a video of the Lancia Y10
I owned an Alfa Romeo 164 Lusso for 4 years and that was my exposure to Busso engine. From where I stand, the Busso is a standard luxury engine - this was the only engine fitted for American spec and it did an awesome job. I really don't understand what you are seeking to establish or even prove here. Perhaps in Europe it is different, but Busso was used in luxury cars a lot more frequently than you imagine and it did it very well.
Jack, remember that the Busso V6 was originally designed for the Alfa 6, a luxury sedan meant to compete with the Mercedes W123 and the BMW E12.
And it was a MASSIVE flop, the Alfa 6.
@@Random-nf7qb Yep.
That's a nice little car!
For the time the interior looks fine but that side view is awful. It looks like it's had 3 feet cut from the wheelbase and then given 13" wheels. Imagine choosing this over a BMW or Mercedes in the 90's... I suppose very few did. Crazy management decisions though. They put a huge amount of effort into building it well which probably cost a fortune, then produced a design that looks little short of weird. Car design shouldn't be that hard. The rear end is a complicated mess of angles and awkward shutlines. The front looks like a Skoda. They were targeting the Germans but it looks like they'd never walked into a showroom and actually looked at one. Unlike today, BMW's actually looked quite elegant back then.
When I lived in Gießen there was one the same colour as the one your driving, wasn't too fussed on the front, but I did like the look of the rear. Never heard it running as the only time I'd ever see it was parked in the Rathaus carpark, but from your video, they sound nice.