Lancia Gamma

Lancia Gamma
Manufacturer:	Fiat
Production:	1976-1984
Predecessor:	Lancia Flavia
Successor:	Lancia Thema
Class:	Executive car
Platform:
Body Style:	4-door fastback (berlina) 2-door coupé
Engine:	2.0 L carburetor flat-4 2.5 L carburetor flat-4 2.5 L I.E. flat-4
Transmission:	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic - coupé
Length:	4580 mm - berlina 4485 mm - coupé
Width:	1730 mm
Height:	1410 mm - berlina 1330 mm - coupé
Weight:	1320 kg - berlina 1290 mm - coupé
Aka:
Fuel Economy:
Fuel Capacity:	62 L
Related:	Lancia Beta
Similar:	Citroën CX Peugeot 604 Renault 20/30
Designer:	Pininfarina

The Lancia Gamma was an executive car from Italian Fiat Auto's upscale marque Lancia. Presented in 1976 at the Geneva Motor Show as Lancia's new flagship, it filled the void in Lancia's lineup left by the demise of the Flavia. The Gamma was made until 1984 as a 4-door fastback (called Berlina) and 2-door coupé (presented in 1977), both designed by Pininfarina. There were only 15,272 berlinas and 6,789 coupés built, which makes the Gamma a really rare collectible.

The Berlina is unique in that it has a regular boot, not a hatchback as its looks may suggest. The styling and large 4-cylinder engine alone shows Lancia had an influence somewhere from the Citroen CX.

The Name

Gamma is the third letter of the Greek alphabet. Greek letters have been used to denote Lancia models before 1945, and this tradition was revived with the presentation of the FWD Lancia Beta in 1971, the first Lancia to be developed under Fiat supervision. The Gamma can be seen as a continuation, also being FWD and utilizing some suspension elements from the Beta, so the choice of the following Greek character (Beta is second) appears as logical. The Gamma sports the γ (lower case gamma) sign on several badges both inside and outside.

Engines

Lancia Gamma was a FWD car with longitudinally-mounted engines. They were available with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. Lancia developed a unique flat-4 engine for the Gamma (an idea initially was to use a Fiat V6). Initially available with a displacement of 2.5 L (Gamma 2500), it was later joined by a 2.0 L version (Gamma 2000), which resulted from the Italian tax system (cars with engines larger than 2.0 L are subject to heavier tax burden). Interestingly, the displacement was lowered by decreasing the bore rather than the stroke of the engine. Both displacements were using Weber carburetors, and the 2.5 L also came in a version fitted with fuel injection (Gamma 2500 I.E.)

• 2.0 L carburetor 8v SOHC flat-4 - 1999 cc, 115 PS (85 kW)
• 2.5 L carburetor 8v SOHC flat-4 - 2484 cc, 140 PS (103 kW)
• 2.5 L I.E. 8v SOHC flat-4 - 2484 cc, 140 PS (103 kW)

Concepts

Several concepts were developed from the Gamma Platform over the years.

• 1977 Pininfarina Gamma Spider - Targa top version of coupe
• 1977 Giugiaro Megagamma - Short nose MPV hatchback variant.
• 1981 Sedan - Berlina based 6-window notchback sedan variant.
• 1982 Pininfarina Gamma Scala - A saloon, based off the coupe but with a regular notchback boot.
• 1982 Pininfarina Gamma Olgiata - Three door wagon, based off the coupe.

Timelines

1980s-Present Lancia Modern Timeline
« Previous	Lancia car timeline, 1980s-present -- Lancia modern timeline
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
City car						Autobianchi Y10 or						Lancia Y 10
Supermini																	Ypsilon
Small family car	Delta																												Delta
Large family car	Beta			Prisma						Dedra											Lybra
Executive car	Gamma					Thema									Kappa							Thesis
Mini MPV																									Musa
Large MPV															Zeta								Phedra
Racing car		Lancia 037				Delta S4