Lancia Lybra

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Lancia Lybra
Lybra OE wheels (cropped).jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Lancia
Production1998–2005
AssemblyItaly:
Designer
Body and chassis
Class Compact executive car (D)
Body style 4-door saloon
5-door estate
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform Type Two rev. 3 [ citation needed ]
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,593 mm (102.1 in) [3]
Length4,466 mm (175.8 in) [3]
Width1,743 mm (68.6 in) [3]
HeightSaloon: 1,462 mm (57.6 in)
Estate: 1,470 mm (58 in) [3]
Curb weight 1,250–1,420 kg (2,756–3,131 lb) [5]
Chronology
Predecessor Lancia Dedra

The Lancia Lybra (Type 839) is a compact executive car manufactured and marketed by Italian automaker Lancia between 1998 and 2005, based on the Alfa Romeo 156 floorpan, [5] and replacing the Dedra in Lancia's range. Like the Dedra, the Lybra was available as a Berlina (saloon) or a Station Wagon (estate). A total of 164,660 cars were made. [6]

Contents

History

The late 1990s were a dark period for the Italian group Fiat and its automotive subsidiaries. Losses were mounting, and the group's management, led by Italian-American financier Mr. Fresco, former second-in-command at General Electric, was determined to divest from the automotive division.

In this context, Lancia, needing to replace the Lancia Dedra, introduced the new Lybra. Based on the same platform as the Fiat Bravo/Brava & Marea, [7] it received less attention in terms of bodywork and had to settle for a rather bland exterior, although it was not lacking in a certain elegance.

Like its predecessor, it was available as a sedan (launched in France in September 1999) and as an "SW" estate (in April 2000). [8] Equipped with modern, fuel-efficient engines, it was hampered by the brand's lack of financial resources to maintain its leading position among its competitors. Unlike its cousin, the Alfa Romeo 156, it did not receive any facelifts and its engines underwent few changes over the years.

Production of the vehicle ceased in 2005, and new management launched the Lancia Delta III in July 2008, which virtually replaced it.

Name

The model's name refers to the zodiac sign of Libra and signalled an end to Lancia's Greek letter model name convention. The Lybra was manufactured in the Rivalta plant near Turin until 2002 [9] and after that in Mirafiori plant in Turin. [1]

Styling

Lancia Lybra SW Lancia Lybra kombi 2,4 jtd back.jpg
Lancia Lybra SW

The Lybra was styled at the Centro Stile Lancia, [5] contrary to earlier Lancia models, which were commissioned to external design studios. Initial models were carried out by Enrico Fumia in 1992 and by the time of his departure from Centro Stile Lancia, the project was finished by Michael Robinson. The interior was designed by Flavio Manzoni.

Lancia Lybra Berlina LX Lancia Lybra Berlina LX (cropped).jpg
Lancia Lybra Berlina LX

The Lybra's distinctive taillights were shared with the 2001 facelift of the Fiat Marea sedan for the Latin American markets. [10] [11]

Trim levels

Lancia Lybra Berlina 2.0 Lancia Lybra rear 20070523.jpg
Lancia Lybra Berlina 2.0

At launch, the standard trim levels were called Lybra, LS and LX. [12] In 2003, the Business and LS Plus trims were added in some markets, the Business trim has fabric seats, and wood decor on the interior while the LS Plus trim has Suhara or Madras upholstery and silver decor on the doors and the dashboard. The Emblema first debuting in November 2002 at the Bologna Motor Show. It was inspired by the classic Lancia Flaminia and came with tobacco brown or beige leather interior (optional Alcantara), magnesium dashboard trim, exclusive 16 inch (10 spoke) alloy wheels, privacy glass and a gloss painted black roof.

Base model equipment: Electric front windows, 5" color display on the dashboard, dual zone heating system (without A/C), rear vents (one in the middle, and two on the bottom of the seats), ABS, EBD, 4 airbags (front and side), seatbelt pretensioner, electrically-adjustable door mirrors with electric heating, electronic lumbar support and height adjustable driver's seat, 4-way adjustable steering wheel, arm rest front (with storage compartment) and rear (with cup holder), 5 three point seat belts and five headrests, ambient light in the bottom and inside of the doors, remote key, FPS system. 15" wheels, and 195/65 R15 tyres.

Optional equipment: A/C, GPS navigation with a GSM phone, electronic adjustable front seats, 4 electronic windows (up and down automatic), electrochromic rearview mirror, rain sensor, demister sensor, leather, Alcantara or Suhara (after 15.12.2003) seats, electrically-adjustable door mirrors with fold function, sunroof, cruise control, Bose sound system with 7 speakers, 6 disc CD changer, AUX, 6 airbags (2 front, 2 side, and 2 side curtain), three 180W cigarette lighter sockets, xenon headlights, headlight washers, Nivomat self-levelling hydropneumatic rear suspension, fog lights, 60/40 split fold-down rear seats (optional for Berlina), multifunction leather steering wheel and gear knob, ASR with hill-holder (only for the 1.9 JTD, 2.0 20v, 2.4 JTD), 15" wheels and 205/60 or 16" 205/55 tyres.

LX trim equipment: Alcantara interior, leather steering wheel with radio control buttons, leather gear knob, Bose sound-system, cruise control (for 2.0 petrol), foglight, A/C, alloy wheels. The equipment is modified during the production, and depends on the market.

Special editions

Lancia Lybra Intensa SW in 'Grigio Fontana' Lanciy Lybra Kombi titan vl.jpg
Lancia Lybra Intensa SW in 'Grigio Fontana'
Lancia Lybra Intensa interior Lancia Lybra Intensa interior.jpg
Lancia Lybra Intensa interior

Four special editions of the Lybra were offered during its production run:

Business: Only in two colours (435 Blu Lancia and 612 Grigio Elisa Met), and two engines (1.6 16v or 1.9 JTD). Interior in basic grey cloth. Higher Trim level like than base model Lybra, added rear electric windows, 6 AirBag and fog light.

Executive: This model was focused on luxury and featured leather or Alcantara seats and all optional equipment as standard (demister sensor, sunroof, photocromatic rearview mirror, foldable side mirrors, heated seats, satellite navigation, GSM Phone, Cruise control, xenon headlights and headlamp washer, Nivomat rear suspension, Bose sound system), along with special 15-spoke 16” alloy wheels. Only two engines were available for this model, the 2.0 20v petrol, and 2.4 JTD diesel.

Intensa: The Intensa Edition is characterised with its dark accents consisting of darkened front grille, and darkened chrome around the outside, on the lights, license plate light cover, chrome strip on the bumpers and the doors, dark grey pentagram-shaped alloy wheels. An exclusive dark grey exterior colour called the 'Grigio Fontana' was also available for this trim. On the interior, the Intensa featured a combination of black leather and dark grey Alcantara seats with a dark wood insert on the doors and the dashboard, a chrome door handle, black background with chrome rings in the gauge cluster, chrome anchor points in the trunk and a Bose sound system as standard. Only 4 engines were available, 1.8 (for Nedherlands), 1.9 JTD, 2.0 20v petrol, and 2.4 JTD.

Emblema: Available with 1.9 JTD, 2.4 JTD or 2.0 20v engines. Titanium trimmed console and interior details. Black roof option in SW (with black ‘railings’). Special 20-spoke 16” wheels. Interior trim could be chosen from beige leather, Alcantara or Suhara (after 15.12.2003) tobacco leather or tobacco Suhara interior colour options. This trim us above of the Executive and LX, Bose, GPS, dimmed interior mirror is optional.

Specifications

The Lancia Lybra has a front-wheel drive layout with transversely-mounted engines. The Lybra is available with a 5-speed manual transmission. Models equipped with the 2.0 L engine had an option of a 4-speed Aisin automatic transmission, called the Comfortronic by Lancia. [13] The Lybra utilises MacPherson struts at the front and BLG ("Bracci Longitudinali Guidati", translating to "Guided Longitudinal Arms") multilink rear suspension at the rear. Estate versions were also available with Boge-Nivomat self-levelling hydropneumatic rear suspension. The car uses four-wheel disk brakes, with front ventilated, ABS with EBD and optional ASR with hill-holder. [14]

ModelDisplacementPowerTorqueTop speedAcceleration 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph)*CO2 emissions**Kerb weightYear
1.6 L 16v DOHC 1581 cc103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp) at 5,750 rpm144 Nm at 4,000 rpm185 km/h (115 mph)11.3s/11.9s199/2031250 kg/1290 kg
1.6 L 16v DOHC 1596 cc103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp) at 5,750 rpm145 N⋅m (107 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm185 km/h (115 mph)11.3s/11.9s194/1971250 kg/1290 kgfrom 2000
1.8 L 16v DOHC1747 cc131 PS (96 kW; 129 hp) at 6,300 rpm164 N⋅m (121 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm201 km/h (125 mph)10.3s/10.7s199/2051300 kg/1340 kgEuro2
1.8 L 16v DOHC1747 cc130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) at 6,300 rpm156 N⋅m (115 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm201 km/h (125 mph)10.3s/10.7s198/2061300 kg/1340 kgfrom 2000
2.0 L 20v DOHC1998 cc154 PS (113 kW; 152 hp) at 6,500 rpm186 N⋅m (137 lb⋅ft) at 3,750 rpm210 km/h (130 mph)9.6s/9.9s236/2381350 kg/1390 kgEuro2
2.0 L 20v DOHC1998 cc150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 6,500 rpm181 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) at 3,750 rpm210 km/h (130 mph)9.6s/9.9s233/2381350 kg/1390 kgfrom 2000
2.4 L 20v DOHC2446 cc170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 6,000 rpm226 N⋅m (167 lb⋅ft) at 3,500 rpmonly Lybra Protecta
1.9 L 8v SOHC JTD 1910 cc105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 4,000 rpm255 N⋅m (188 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm185 km/h (115 mph)11.3s/11.9s154/1591310 kg/1350 kg
1.9 L 8v SOHC JTD1910 cc110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) at 4,000 rpm255 N⋅m (188 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpmfrom 2000
1.9 L 8v SOHC JTD1910 cc115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) at 4,000 rpm275 N⋅m (203 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm190 km/h (118 mph)10.8s/11.3s157/1621310 kg/1350 kgfrom 2001
2.4 L 10v SOHC JTD2387 cc134 PS (99 kW; 132 hp) at 4,000 rpm304 N⋅m (224 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm200 km/h (124 mph)9.9s/10.2s179/1821370 kg/1410 kg
2.4 L 10v SOHC JTD2387 cc140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 4,000 rpm304 N⋅m (224 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpmfrom 2000
2.4 L 10v SOHC JTD2387 cc150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 4,000 rpm308 N⋅m (227 lb⋅ft) at 1,800 rpm212 km/h (132 mph)9.4s/9.6s176/1791370 kg/1410 kgfrom 2002

for Berlina/SW*to 100km/h**in g/km

With 2 persons and 40 kg luggage.

Lybra Euro 3 fuel consumption
l/100 kmBody1.6 16v1.8 16v2.0 20v1.9 JTD2.4 JTD
Urban
Extra-urban
Combined
BN11.2
6.4
8.2
11.8
6.3
8.3
13.8
7.5
9.8
8.1
4.7
5.9
8.9
5.3
6.6
Urban
Extra-urban
Combined
SW11.4
6.5
8.3
12.4
6.5
8.7
14.0
7.7
10.0
8.4
4.8
6.1
9.1
5.4
6.8

Sales

The Lancia Lybra failed to meet its initial sales targets. These were set at 55,000 to 65,000 a year. [15]

The following are sales in Europe, which absorbed the majority of the vehicle's production:

Calendar yearSales in Europe [16] [17]
199912,084
200053,218
200141,583
200222,830
200316,559
20049,525
20055,021

References

  1. 1 2 "20.06.2005 As the final Lancia Lybra rolls out of the Mirafiori factory". italiaspeed.com. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
  2. "Production cars". fumiadesign.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lancia Lybra official website". www.lancialybra.com. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  4. "Lancia specifications at". Carfolio.com. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  5. 1 2 3 4 CarsFromItaly.com Lancia pages accessed via the Wayback Machine
  6. "Dati produzione ANFIA" . Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  7. "Lancia Lybra". Dada et Dom (in French). Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  8. "Voitures Neuves 2004" [New cars 2004] (in French). L'Argus. Summer 2004. pp. Hors-Série (Special edition).
  9. "Lancia Lybra information from Automotive Intelligence". Autointell.com. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  10. "Comparativo Sedãs Médios". Revista Quatro Rodas. February 2005. Archived from the original on 2006-06-18. Retrieved 2006-08-03.
  11. "Comparativo Completo". Best Cars. 2002-01-15. Retrieved 2006-08-03.
  12. "LANCIA NEEDS LYBRA TO REVERSE SALES SLIDE". europe.autonews.com. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  13. Libretto uso e Manutenzione Lancia Lybra 2005 (PDF)
  14. "LANCIA LYBRA: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS". lanciapress.com. Retrieved 2016-12-22.
  15. "Fiat lance la Lybra pour redonner sa «splendeur passée» à Lancia". Le Temps (in French). 1999-06-23. ISSN   1423-3967 . Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  16. Europe = EU27 + UK + Switzerland + Norway + Iceland
  17. Sales, ModelLancia Car SalesLancia Model (2014-02-10). "Lancia Lybra European sales figures". carsalesbase.com. Retrieved 2022-02-04.