By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse
Car giants Lancia are bringing back its stylish Gamma model from the seventies in SUV form with testing well underway.
The Gamma was launched in 1976 to compete in the executive market. It boasted sharp Pininfarina styling and powered by an all aluminium 2.5 litre flat-four engine.
It came as a four-door fastback saloon, known as the Berlina as well as in two-door coupe format.
In the seventies Fiat (who owned Lancia) had planned to use one of its V6 engines for the Gamma. That was until Lancia developed its own ‘flat’ engine which gave Pininfarina scope to lower the car’s bonnet line. After producing a 2.5L engine, Lancia added a two-litre version.
Whilst the Gamma was an ambitious and beautiful car it came with serious concerns around build quality, including a troublesome engine, issues with the belt-driven power steering pump and camshafts prone to premature wear.
That said, it’s design team certainly had fun with the Gamma range, adding a striking three-door estate version – the Gamma Olgiata – in 1982.
Despite its many faults, over 22,000 Gammas were made between 1976 and 1984.
Fast forward to 2026 and Lancia still recognise the beauty of the Gamma brand with an all-new SUV version taking its name. It’s expected to come as a pure electric model alongside a hybrid version.
Sadly, UK Lancia enthusiasts might have to wait for this reincarnation to hit local showrooms. The Italian’s pulled out of Britain in 1994 and there are no confirmed plans for a return anytime soon!
I have talked to the Lancia rally bosses at a recent test and they said Stellantis are not even considering RHD in the forseeable future. The UK suffered more than most with the reputational damage form the rust problems years ago and their market research tells them people still remember. Plenty of LHD markets to go at first. Not USA, though.