Lancia Lybra

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Lancia Lybra
Lancia Lybra
Manufacturer Lancia
Parent company Fiat
Production 1999—present
Predecessor Lancia Dedra
Successor None
Class Compact executive car
Body style 4-door saloon
5-door estate
Layout FF layout
Platform Type C/D [1]
Engine 1.6 L I4
1.8 L I4
1.9 L turbodiesel I4
2.0 L I5
2.4 L turbodiesel I5[2]
Transmission 5-speed manual
4-speed automatic [2][3][4]
Wheelbase 2593 mm [2]
Length 4466 mm [2]
Width 1743 mm [2]
Height Saloon: 1462 mm
Estate: 1470 mm [2]
Curb weight 1250—1420 kg [4]
Fuel capacity 60 L [2]
Related Alfa Romeo 156
Fiat Marea [4]
Similar Rover 45
Saab 9-3
Volvo S40/V40
Designer Centro Stile Lancia [4]

The Lancia Lybra is a compact executive car produced by Italian Fiat Auto's upscale marque Lancia. Based on the Alfa Romeo 156 floorpan (and thus being related to the prolific Fiat Tipo platform)[4], it replaced the Dedra within Lancia's lineup, and was similarly low-profile to its predecessor, rather than as popular as its Alfa sibling. Just like the Dedra, the Lybra is available as both a saloon and estate (billed SW by Lancia)

The model's name, which can be seen as a reference to both the zodiac sign of Libra and the Latin word for balancing scale, signals an end of the previous Lancia naming theme involving the use of Greek letters as model names. The Lybra is built in the Rivalta plant near Turin[5].

Contents

[edit] Styling

Lancia Lybra SW
Lancia Lybra SW

The Lybra was styled in Centro Stile Lancia[4], contrary to earlier Lancia models, which were commissioned from external design studios. Its styling is a clear departure from "rectangular" shapes prevalent in 1980s and 1990s Lancias, using heritage-inspired round headlights and other styling touches inspired by Lancias of the 1950s, like the Aurelia and Appia.

On the other hand, it wasn't as edgy as the Lancia Thesis and later models, and still carried many references to 1990s Lancias, such as the shape of the grille, or the treatment of the upper body section of the wagon (reminiscent of that of the Lancia Kappa SW). Interestingly, the Lybra's very distinctive taillaights were borrowed for the 2001's facelift given to the Fiat Marea sedan for the Latin American markets.[6] [7]

[edit] Engines [2][3]

Lancia Lybra is a front-wheel drive car with transversely-mounted engines. The Lybra is available with a 5-speed manual, and the 2.0 L had an option of a 4-speed automatic transmission, called the Comfortronic by Lancia.

[edit] External Links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Automotive Design and Production, Feb 2002, accessed via FindArticles.com
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Lancia Lybra official website - www.lancialybra.com
  3. ^ a b Lancia specifications at carfolio.com
  4. ^ a b c d e f CarsFromItaly.com Lancia pages accessed via the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Lancia Lybra information from Automotive Intelligence
  6. ^ Comparativo Sedãs Médios. Revista Quatro Rodas (2005-02). Retrieved on 2006-08-03.
  7. ^ Comparativo Completo. Best Cars (2002-01-15). Retrieved on 2006-08-03.
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LANCIA

1918-1945: Aprilia · Ardea · Artena · Astura · Augusta · Dilambda · Kappa · Lambda

1945-1980: Appia · Aurelia · Beta · Flaminia · Flavia · Fulvia · Gamma · Monte Carlo · Stratos

1980-2000: Dedra · Delta · Delta S4 · Kappa · Lybra · Prisma · Thema · Y10 · Ypsilon · Zeta · 037 (Group B)

Current models: Musa · Phedra · Thesis · Ypsilon

Clubs: Lancia Motor Club (UK)


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