Based on the same platform as the Alfa Romeo 156, the Lancia Lybra Sedan was the premium member of the Fiat family. It was introduced in 1998 and advertised by Harrison Ford.
By the late '90s, Lancia started to struggle in finding its way on the market. Once a very luxurious and appreciated market, the reliability issues and uninspired styling struck its sales charts. In seven years of production, it barely managed to sell 164660 units in both body versions: sedan and station wagon.
When the designers when wild, their ideas were not so appreciated by the market. The round headlights, short and wide grille on the hood and even wider lower grille in the apron made the car looks sad. Its profile was even blander, with a sloping trunk. The taillights were mounted on the rear quarter panels, in the back, and that led to a wide metal area between them.
The interior was much more pleasant. A tall and slightly curved dashboard with wood trims enhanced the view of the car. On the center stack, a 5” infotainment display with an option for a navigation system and GSM connectivity added a touch of modernism. It was available with cloth or leather upholstery. It featured a dual-zone climate control. The interior was good for five passengers, with limited legroom for those in the back.
Under the hood, the Lybra was fitted with a choice of diesel and gasoline engines ranged between 103 hp and 154 hp. The standard transmission was a 5-speed manual, while a 4-speed automatic was available for selected versions.