Have you seen the new Lancia Thema?  Yes you have, it’s a re-badged Chrylser 300. In fact Lancia is rebadging Chrysler products for four of its six new cars and that’s not necessarily bad news.

Since its divorce from Daimler and forming an alliance with Lancia, Chrysler has been using its resources to improve its core product line. Both the new 200 and 300 (aka Lancia Thema) benefit from a complete interior redesign, improving nearly every surface the driver and passenger’s touch. They’ve also improved or re-engineered many of the suspension components and tuned the ride to suit more “European tastes.”

Those that have fond memories of the 1984 to 1994 Thema are in for a bit of a surprise.  The new Thema is rear-wheel drive, much more powerful and really nothing like the Italian saloon they remember.  The new Thema will be available in two trim levels: Platinum & Gold.  And, you’ll have your choice of three, well two and a half really, engines.

Tick the Platinum trim level box and you’ll get the works: top of the range 3.6-liter petrol engine, 22” wheels, a panoramic electronic sunroof, 21.3 cm touch SatNav screen, a 506 watt 9-speaker sound system, adaptive cruise control and a back-up camera along with about 65 other standard comfort and safety features.

Powering the Lancia Thema: 3.6-liter petrol “Pentastar” V6 making 292 hp mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and two versions of a 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel, one making 190 horsepower, the other 224 hp. Both diesels make about 550 Nm of torque and are mated to a 5-speed automatic.  The top of the range petrol engine gets the Thema from 0 to 100 kph in 7.2 seconds. Top speed is 230 kph.  There is also talk of hybrid power for 2012.

Potentially, there is a ton of value for money in the new Lancia Thema if European buyers can get past any Chrysler prejudices they may have.  Ultimately, it’s up to Lancia (Chrysler) to deliver a product with high initial quality and proper service to get traffic in the showrooms.  The new Thema will be available in Europe starting in October. Final pricing and options for all markets have not been announced.