Ypsilon

Although it will not come to Norway soon, there are several things that make this car interesting.

Long an unclear fate

Many people remember how Lancia wreaked havoc on the rally tracks in the 80s and 90s. The Lancia Delta Integrale was marketed under the slogan «No matter how fast you turn, it won't leave the road». Later, the brand almost completely disappeared - at least from Norwegian roads. In 2014, Fiat brought Lancia into the merger with Chrysler. Then "old" Chrysler models appeared as "new" Lancia models. Chrysler 300 got a Lancia badge in the front and overnight became the successor after Launch Thema. Lancia Grand Voyager was a reunion with Chrysler Grand Voyager. Lancia was becoming a fading car brand. When Fiat Chrysler Automobiles entered Stellantis, all exports stopped.

Lancia Ypsilon

The Ypsilon was for several years Lancia's only model in production. It was based on an extended Fiat 500 platform when it was launched in 2011. Then it got a facelift in 2015 – before 13 years later it got a sequel. The new model has nothing in common with the old model – apart from the name. Now Lancia will relaunch several new models based on previous model names. The next in line is Lancia Gamma.

Highlights Lancia's new profile

Technically, the new model is based on the exact same platform as the latest version of the Peugeot e-208 and Corsa-e. Whether you choose Peugeot or Corsa is about taste and comfort - not driving characteristics and performance. The new Lancia obviously plays on design and style. Several features in the appearance are taken from the concept car Pu + Ra ("po:pju:ra"), including the geometry in the front and the rear with the round rear lights from the legendary Lancia Stratos. Inside, the emphasis is on fabric choices and chairs that are inspired by the Italian furniture chain Cassina. The most beautiful and comfortable sofas and chairs in the world are actually made in Italy. The dashboard with two side-by-side 10,25 inch screens is a class above its sister models. The infotainment system is new, called SALA (Sound Air Light Augmentation) with voice control which should provide an improved digital user interface for everything to do with comfort. "Sala" also means "room" in Italian.

Another feature that will create a homely feeling is the small built-in table ('tavolino') where, among other things, you can place your mobile phone for charging. Perhaps a place for a small Versace handbag or photo of the children?

New profiling of electric cars?

It is interesting to see the link between the car manufacturer Lancia and the furniture house Cassina – both outstanding Italian brands. Could it be that today's - and the cars of the future - focus more on interiors, style and emotions? The same things we emphasize when furnishing a house with TV, kitchen equipment and furniture? Everything that we not see in the cars, is developed by advanced computers, materialized by 3D printers and produced by robots - of the same types that all car manufacturers use. Are detailed technical specifications becoming a subject for geeks?

Lancia and Cassina

Lancia Ypsilon Edizione Limitata Cassina

The first edition will be produced in a limited edition of 1906 cars - the same number as in the year Lancia was founded. Stellantis prioritizes sales to countries where the A and B segments dominate the market - which, in addition to Italy, are France, Spain, the Benelux countries and Germany. There are far too few full-fledged electric cars that fall into the B segment like the Lancia Ypsilon does. However, there is one problem that Lancia shares with its sister models from Peugeot and Opel. The prices are still far too high compared to similar petrol cars in the premium B segment. Lancia will have €39 for its well-equipped introductory model in Italy. The Peugeot e-999 GT with the same powertrain costs from €208 in France before financial support from the authorities. Correspondingly, the Opel Corsa GS 38hp costs €130 in France and from NOK 156 in Norway. It gives an indication of what price level the Lancia Ypsilon will be at if - or when - it comes to Norway.

Facts about the 2024 Lancia Ypsilon

Length, width and height: 408 x 176 x 144 cm
Net weight without driver: 1584 kg
Engine: Single engine 156 hp - front wheel drive
Consumption: 14,3 to 14,6 kWh / 100 km
Range (WLTP): 403 km

See

Cassina.com
Cassina furniture at Expo-Nova

When Stellantis took over Lancia, the car brand's fate became unclear. Now the car manufacturer has revealed its strategy for Lancia. Design, sustainable technology, focus on quality and sales from our own showroom.

Do you remember Lancia?

Although Lancia's history goes back a full 116 years, it is Lancia Delta Integrale as most people remember. The car wreaked havoc on the rally tracks in the 80s and 90s. The slogan «No matter how fast you turn, it won't leave the road» couldn't have fit better. A decade earlier it was Fulvia Coupé Rally. Those were good years for Lancia. Later, the brand almost completely disappeared - at least from Norwegian roads. In 2014, Fiat brought Lancia into the merger with Chrysler. Then old Chrysler models were marketed as Lancia. Chrysler 300 became "new" Launch Thema og Chrysler Grand Voyager became spear Grand Voyager. Dread and horror! Lancia was left as a fading car brand. Then Fiat Chrysler Automobiles entered Stellantis, stopped exports. It was unclear what would happen to Lancia.

Lancia's new strategy

Stellantis did not let Lancia disappear. Recently, they have shown the concept car Pu + Ra HPE, which is pronounced in Italian "Pu-piu-ra" or something like that. Both the design and the name give a clear message that Lancia will show the Stellantis group's latest technology. The company's strategy includes terms such as electrification, quality og sustainability. The front of Pu + Ra shows Lancia's new expression in the form of a stylistic "Y". This is a type of style that we also find in Opel's new, among other things Visor front where it is the lines and not the grill that shows brand identity.

Here is the original – Lancia Stratos (Photo: terjesbiler.no)

according to Luke Napolitano, head of the Lancia division, Lancia has determined the first 40 sales points in cities spread over 6 European countries. There are Spain, France, Portugal and Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. By the first half of 2024, Lancia will have established 70 outlets in various cities. Both the physical outlets and the websites will give customers a "homey feeling" by using materials, colors and attention to detail inspired by Italian architecture and design. I think we may see "Lancia House" following the same concept used by, among others Polestar og Cupra. Oslo will hardly be among the first 70 outlets, but it is not inconceivable that they will appear in a Norwegian city.

As part of Lancia's new strategy, it is also worth mentioning that they have announced something they call Lancia Certified program that will make it safe to buy Lancia as a used car and give owners protection for up to 7 years or 150 km. This can ensure that the cars' second-hand value does not plummet.

The Lancia Ypsilon was the smallest model in Lancia's previous model range and today the only one offered. What makes the Ypsilon special is that it was in production while Lancia was out of the European car market. Lancia has announced that they will launch 3 new models – the first – the new Ypsilon in 2024. Later, in 2026, the Lancia Gamma and in 2028 the Lancia Delta.

The new Ypsilon will be the model that will realize Lancia's new strategy

The model that is produced today came as model year 2011 and received a facelift in 2015. It was never taken in and sold through Norwegian dealers - nor to our neighboring countries. The cars are based on the Fiat 500 platform, stretched to half a class above the A segment. The engine is either a 1,0 70 HP mild hybrid or the 1,2 69 HP FIRE engine from the Fiat group.

Lancia Ypsilon in 2024

How will Lancia manage to transfer the design language from the concept car to the new Ypsilon? The model is supposed to be almost finished, but Lancia has not yet shown any pictures. The drive will probably be based on the same electric drive as in the brand new Peugeot 2008, which has a range of over 400 km.

Peugeot has cleaned up the front of the e-2008.

Bilpressen has engaged its designers to speculate on what the new Ypsilon will look like. Some of the sketches show a shapeless, box-shaped vehicle with Lancia's new front. Others have drawn in Lancia's "old" grill as if they don't quite dare to believe in Lancia's new brand identity.

Pu + Ra is clearly inspired by the legendary sports car Lancia Stratos. Of all the models Lancia could choose from, the Ypsilon must be the model that is stylistically farthest from both Stratos and Pu + Ra. In 2026, the Lancia Gamma will arrive, which can have the same dimensions as the Pu + Ra.

Pu + Ra = true?

The Lancia Pu + Ra concept car has been developed under the direction of Stellantis' design manager Jean-Pierre Ploué and presented by him as Lancia's new idiom. New Lancia models are likely to represent Italian design with technology taken from other manufacturers in the Stellantis group – the same role as the Cupra car brand in the Volkswagen group. With a focus on design, I expect Lancia to manage to carry the lines from Pu + Ra over to the new Ypsilon. I'm guessing that the Y-front will be well marked - perhaps enhanced by LED lights - and that the lines along the side will split into two arcs towards the back, one that turns ned and one that swings up and around the rear side windows. It will then be interesting to see if the new Ypsilon also gets the tough, circular and high-seated rear lights.

Lancia can choose two paths for the new Ypsilon. The shortest way would be to build a tall, box-shaped vehicle with Pu + Ra's new front. That is the path most car manufacturers choose today. The long way is to design the new Ypsilon also with the alignment taken from Pu + Ra. A 4-metre electric car with Italian shapes and a high feel-good factor can create a "must have" desire for many. For information, shapely Lancia Stratos were only 371 cm long.

Facts about the Lancia Ypsilon

The model first appeared as a 1996 model year and succeeded the Lancia Y10. The model was based on the Fiat Punto, with a 1,1 liter FIRE engine – from 2000 1,2 liter engine. In 2003, the next generation came onto the market, also based on the Fiat Punto from the launch year. Today's version, the mk3, came in 2011 with a facelift in 2015. The model is based on the new Fiat 500. The Lancia Ypsilon was never brought into Norway via ordinary import channels.