► New Lancia Ypsilon officially launches
► Arrives with 250-mile electric powertrain first
► Sales unconfirmed for the UK market
Lancia has officially revealed specs and official pictures of its new Ypsilon supermini after a long, drawn-out teaser campaign. The new Ypsilon marks the start of Lancia’s electrification strategy, and it revitalises a rather leggy previous generation.
The brand says the new Ypsilon is part of its plans to make itself seen as a ‘desirable, respected and credible brand,’ and includes a range of new EVs that take advantage of the new Stellantis group’s STLA platforms.
It looks… striking!
Which is deliberate, to make people talk about it. The new Lancia has plenty of design elements from the radical Pu+Ra HPE concept car, including and interpretation of the concept’s tri-DRL face and rear lights inspired by the Stratos. This big-alloyed, blue-coloured model is the first edition: the ‘Edizione Limitada Cassina’ that’s limited to 1906 units.
Inside, Lancia has made an effort to make its supermini feel different, with a range of posh materials and loads of standard kit. The brand says that every Ypsilon features a 10.25-inch infotainment display, as well as ‘the best standard parking assistance system, and the greatest exterior lighting system’ of cars in the same class. Details include a ‘cannelloni’-style pattern on the seats and a unique table-like centre console to make the interior feel a little more lounge-ish.
And it’s electric?
It won’t just be, but the Ypsilon launches as an EV. Given it’s one of a lot of cars within the Stellantis mega-corp structure, the Ypsilon shares the same platform (e-CMP), powertrain and technology as cars like the DS 3 E-Tense, Peugeot 208 and Jeep Avenger to name just three.
That means the Ypsilon features a 152bhp e-motor that drives the front wheels, a 51kWh battery pack and a claimed range of 250 miles on a single charge. As for charging, Lancia says the Ypsilon can go from 20-80 per cent in 24 minutes.
Given Stellantis’ current strategy, expect a petrol combustion version to be included in the range at some point in the future – likely the 128bhp 1.2-litre mild hybrid model seen in other cars.
Can I buy one?
If you live in certain European countries, yes. For a long time Lancia only sold its sole car in Italy but, for this new Ypsilon, the brand says it’s expanding into Belgium and the Netherlands in 2024 when the car launches later in the year, with Spain and France following after. A UK market launch at this stage is unconfirmed.