The Lancia Lybra, a name that evokes memories of a time when the Italian brand shone with its innovation and aesthetics. With its elegant lines and powerful diesel engine, this family car attempted to ride the wave of a glorious past but ultimately got lost in the meanders of automotive history. A look back at a model that deserves to be rediscovered.
A Declining Legacy
Poor Lancia. Over the course of the 20th century, some of the most beautiful and technologically advanced models bore this name. From the innovative Lambdas of the 1920s to the sublime Asturas of the 1930s, through the elegant Aprilias of the 1940s and the fascinating Flaminias of the 1950s, not to mention the sporty Fulvias of the 1960s and 1970s. At every era, Lancia managed to wave the Italian flag thanks to its uncompromising commitment to technical innovation and design excellence. However, by the time the Lybra arrived in the 2000s, Lancia was nothing more than a memory of a bygone era.
A Design That Sparks Interest
However, the Lybra is not devoid of charm. Based on the Alfa 156 platform, it offers quite respectable dynamic performance. Admittedly, this dark period for Fiat left its mark, but one must recognize that they still knew how to design beautiful cars, even if their manufacturing was sometimes questionable. Compared to its predecessor, the Dedra, the Lybra is a true masterpiece. Its retro design language is subtly dosed, and for once, I am inclined to forgive it this nostalgic tendency. After all, at this stage, Lancia had little choice but to cling to its roots.
Interesting Technical Features
Unveiled in March 1999 and launched in September of the same year, the Lybra offers several engine options. There are 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines, as well as a 2-liter five-cylinder. On the diesel side, the choice is between a 1.9-liter four-cylinder or a 2.4-liter turbo-diesel five-cylinder. It is the latter that powers our model of the day. While I cannot specify the exact year of this vehicle (2002 being in the middle of its production), the power could range between 136 hp and 150 hp depending on the versions. Interestingly, the 2.4-liter diesel engine has a power equivalent to that of the 2-liter gasoline engine, making the choice obvious for many Europeans: the more economical turbo-diesel was undoubtedly the most popular.
An Attractive SW Version
After the failure of the Kappa coupe, Fiat likely decided to remove this type of body from Lancia’s lexicon. The Lybra is therefore available only in two versions: a three-volume sedan and a station wagon, simply named SW. Based on my experience and empirical observations, it seems that the station wagon has met with similar, if not greater, success than the sedan, which is uncommon.
One reason for this success lies in the reasonable cargo space offered by the station wagon, while the sedan has often been criticized for its small trunk. Moreover, both versions share the same engine and interior options, making the station wagon more sensible in many cases. And let’s be honest, I personally find the station wagon more attractive than the sedan.
An Interior Lacking Personality
The SW model benefits from an additional Lancia badge on the C-pillar, adding a nice touch. Counting those on the wheels and at the ends, there are eight Lancia emblems on a single car. If you add the one on the steering wheel and the ignition key, you reach ten. Enough to remind the whole world how much this car is Lancia. Perhaps a bit too much for my taste?
As for the interior, although I did not manage to capture the perfect photo, the cabin seems to offer a pleasant atmosphere. This model does not have the leather option, which seems to be highly sought after by Lybra owners for its durability. However, this fabric interior still appears to be in excellent condition, indicating that it has been well maintained.
An Uncertain Future
The Lybra features a grille that attempts to give it a distinct identity. The round headlights and the turn signal combination are well executed, with those classic chrome accents inspired by the Aurelia – not a bad choice for inspiration. The Lancia Thesis (2001-2009) took this concept even further with a narrower grille and bolder headlights. While I appreciate the Thesis, I understand those who find it a bit too retro.
With only about 160,000 units produced over six years, the Lybra performed worse than the Dedra. A disappointment that only underscores the gradual decline of the brand. When the Lybra disappeared in 2005, it had no clear successor. The Lancia range was then reduced to the large Thesis, two insignificant minivans, and the city car Ypsilon. Today, the latter is all that remains of Lancia.
Conclusion: A Model to Rediscover
The Lybra saw its days darkened as Lancia’s future was already in jeopardy. The worst days were yet to come with the rebadging of Chrysler in the 2010s. The brand should have taken its bow much earlier to avoid the shipwreck that followed. Nevertheless, the Lybra deserves to be rediscovered. It may represent the last truly premium Lancia. Not the best by definition, but it still deserves its place in the automotive pantheon.
