Lancia k Coupé 2.4 20V. Experience top qualities with a noble heir

The history of the automotive industry does not show many coupes that evoke as many contrasts in taste as the Lancia Kappa Coupé. Some people find her throbbing and beautiful. The other thinks the design of the car is out of proportion. However, the driving qualities of this noble coupe are beyond dispute and will provoke less discussion. We should know, because we made a report with a beautiful specimen. It is the Lancia Kappa 2.4 Coupé painted in Rosso Power Metallic, which is in the sales collection at Dijkstra Classic Cars & Youngtimers in Sexbierum.

And when we talk about a collection, we can also add that we are dealing with a collector's item. An item from a production run of only 3263, largely hand-built by Maggiore. See the link with the Lancia past, in which the Flaminia, for example, also performed a delicate example of manual labor. And when we talk about the Flaminia, we also specifically mention the coupe of that time. Because certain styling features of the old Flaminia Coupé can be found in the Kappa Coupé,

The difference: the Kappa Coupé has its own face despite it Alfa Romeo and Fiat genes. The platform originates from the Alfa Romeo 166 and has been shortened. The five-cylinder 2.4 engine is a product that we also encounter in other products from the Fiat group at the time. But that does not alter the fact that the Lancia k Coupé presents itself as a Lancia in everything, it is a Lancia and absolutely lives up to that time-honored exclusivity. Just look at the non-conventional design of the Kappa Coupé, which marks the very thin dividing line between the concepts of stately and extravagant. And refined. Just look at how the profiles of the c-pillars continue into the rear side panels. To give just one example.

In this case, the concepts within these definitions coincide. Because what a beautiful car this is. Regardless of the impeccable condition of the 1998 Lancia: this design was carefully considered and the boundaries of balance, combination and stately extravagance were consciously explored, with a nod to the past. And with the realized ambition to woo the buyer in 1998. The Lancia is beautifully finished on the inside, with the beautiful Poltrona Frau decoration. The furniture developed by Recaro (with electrically adjustable and adjustable front seats) is covered with beautiful leather, the shade of which fits seamlessly with the enchantingly beautiful exterior color. There is fairly rich infotainment on board, which is supplemented with a modern Alpine radio. And everything that makes the interior luxurious is very beautiful and without excess, but to such an extent that the occupants are courted. Furthermore, there is the luxury of automatic air conditioning and genuine roller blinds for the rear window. Just to name a small selection.

You can also see it on the outside. The trim parts have been applied in exactly the right amount, and you can also see this on the panel between the rear bumper and the trunk lid. The exterior exudes the atmosphere of a classic coupe, with the short wheelbase and long overhang giving the Lancia a stately, massive and elegant combination. Perhaps that was a reason for the opponents of this coupe not to always appreciate the Lancia in 1998. Also, because they had a different association when defining the concept of coupe. But this is a Lancia, and even though the noble brand had already served under the Fiat auspices for years in 1998: the Kappa Coupé does the brand justice.

We are on the road with the Lancia, and the driving impressions are unsurpassed. The Kappa is surprisingly easy to drive. Never for a moment do you have the feeling that you are on the road with a heavy weight (curb mass: 1500 kilos), you move very smoothly with the very stable Italian coupe. The steering communicates well and is largely balanced, precise and light. The furniture is fantastic. The chassis provides formidable and sturdy handling, with the damping being resolute and forming a nice combination with the fairly flexible manner in which the movements are sprung. Exactly right.

You detect no vibration, no resonance whatsoever. The interior is extensively insulated against outside noise. You have to work hard to hear the wonderful sound of the five-cylinder engine. And speaking of that engine: the wonderful 2.4 five-cylinder (four valves per cylinder) deploys its forces in a balanced manner, torque and power (175 DIN hp) are actually constantly available. This ensures that acceleration is very smooth and in a beautiful line. There is no push in the back, but when you want to accelerate strongly you feel what is happening and you steadily reach very decent speeds. A few points of criticism: the clutch pedal is a little too far to the right, which takes some searching. And the gearbox feels a bit rubbery and shifts a little less decisively than you would like. However, this is by no means insurmountable.

That doesn't change the fact that this one k Coupe is a charmingly designed and fantastic driving car, with which you can drive to Southern Europe in a whistling manner. Moreover, the Lancia proves that it was not without reason that it was high in price. And made a dance with the boundaries of aesthetic ethics. In its time, this coupe was perhaps too stately, too classic, too extravagant. Combined with the high price at the time, this may have been a reason why the car was only built for a few years and in a small edition. That was due to the lack of buyers, and not to the Lancia, which in the livery of the report car proved itself to be one of the finest cars we have ever had the pleasure of driving. A creation that is also a wonderful alternative for the business driver. If only because distinction is guaranteed.

Thanks to Sicco Dijkstra, Dijkstra Classic Cars & Youngtimers