If there’s one European brand that has been in an identity crisis for many years, that is Lancia – and the Fiat Group’s decision to drop a few Chrysler models including the 300 sedan and the Town & Country minivan into the Italian firm’s range only made things worse.
One time the proud maker of sporty models with a pinch of luxury like the gorgeous Lancia Fulvia Coupe with its innovative narrow-angle V4 engine and let’s not forget, also the holder of 10 world rally championships, Lancia is now struggling to find its place in today’s automotive world.
Independent designer David Cardoso is among those not pleased with Lancia’s current portfolio and especially the new Thema:
“When Lancia recently brought out the Thema that is based on the American Chrysler 300C, I was let down by Lancia as it disowned its own Italian design language. The Imperiale is an attempt to create a worthy Thesis successor,” Cardoso told Carscoop.
The name Cardoso chose to use on his reborn Lancia flagship is somewhat unfortunate as the Chrysler used the Imperial moniker for its own series of luxury models from the 1920s to the 1980s and again in the early 1990s.
Name aside, Cardoso’s Imperiale borrows the fastback body styling of previous Lancia cars such as the Gamma Berlina from the late 1970s.
You can take a look at the designs below and share your thoughts in the comments area.
PHOTO GALLERY
