With the Lybra Lancia wanted to be the higher daughter of the Fiat group again. One wanted to coexist next to Alfa which were fairly successful to make an advance into the European middle class with the beautiful 156. Unfortunately thus was already occupied the sporty orientation. Only remained to rely on solidity and comfort.

One copied a little bit from the historic Aurelia B12. Although this does not mean the concept of the missing B-pillar and the counter-rotating doors but rather, in the broadest sense, the front with the arrangement of the headlamps and the soft transition to the fenders. The body platform, albeit with modified rear axle and the diesel engines were from the 156. The petrol engines were anyway distributed within the group, slightly less the five-cylinder e.g. from the Kappa.

Who wanted to export of 60,000 mid-size cars about 8,000 per year to Germany, had to to be alert, even if most of them were planned as station wagons. The Lancia was styled complaisantly but not eye-catching. To find out its qualities one had to drive the car, for this, one had potential buyers first get into the car. There were doubts about the reliability of the Lybra, especially where the German buyer had high standards.

After all, the Lybra was grown compared to the Dedra, in length more than in width. Agoraphobia with sitting giants could arise neither front nor rear. If you also wanted to have room for luggage, then the 1400 DM more expensive Estate car was practical because both could load rather below average much in their class. Additionally had to be paid a surcharge for the folding rear seat at the sedan. But there were the first cup holder in the group.

Of the petrol engines was specifically noticed the 1800 from the Barchetta. The five-cylinder diesel engine with direct injection, of course, made the most fun. Who loved the comfort, in this Lancia literally came at its own expense. The surcharge for the dual-zone automatic climate control amounted to 2,600 DM. A relatively advanced on-board computer was available in the higher equipment, as was a 300 W Bose system. For nearly 4,000 DM, there was telephone and navigation. 08/13