The world premiere of the new Ypsilon is a big deal for the Lancia brand – even if the extravagant design was already known before the presentation. Because the new generation of the small car essentially means a revival of the brand: Lancia recently only had the previous generation on offer. This was brought onto the market in 2011 and has only been sold in Italy since 2017. But it was successful: with around 45,000 vehicles sold, it was the third best-selling car in Italy in 2023.
The new Ypsilon will also be used to target other markets. There are no special features in the technology, but rather tried-and-tested mass-produced products from the Stellantis Group. Like the Peugeot e-208 and the Opel Corsa Electric, for example, the new Lancia uses the e-CMP as a basis. There is now the second generation of the electric drive: The 115 kW front motor comes from Stellantis and Nidec, the 54 kWh (gross) battery should be sufficient for a WLTP range of over 400 kilometers. There are also no deviations when it comes to charging – AC with 11 kW, DC with up to 100 kW.
The great special feature of the new Ypsilon lies in its design – here it stands out clearly from the more reserved Corsa Electric and the decidedly dynamic Peugeot. In fact, the small car adopts numerous design elements from the Pu+Ra Zero (end of 2022) and Pu+Ra HPE (April 2023) concept studies. There is a striking and slightly arrow-shaped daytime running light across the entire width of the vehicle, between the daytime running lights and the front hood there is a dark and also arrow-shaped design element in which the Lancia lettering (not the logo) is integrated. Officially, it is “the modern interpretation of the traditional, shield-shaped radiator grille, a brand icon”. The main headlights underneath with three eye-catching LED pixels have also made it from the Pu+Ra HPE study into the series design of the Ypsilon – albeit in a slightly modified form. At the rear there are round LED taillights – “a homage to the legendary Lancia Stratos”.
The market launch in Germany is planned for mid-2025 with the introduction of the new agency model. Stellantis is not yet mentioning prices, but the Lancia is likely to be slightly above the well-known sister models. Because it is said to be a “premium B model”. “The new Lancia Ypsilon is now set to move into the premium league and focus on customer comfort with a sophisticated interior concept inspired by the furniture industry. The expected buyers are between 40 and 45 years old. They lead an urban and active lifestyle. She is interested in Italian style and technological innovation. They pay attention to the environment and follow the latest trends,” the statement said.
Even though Lancia has only had one model on the market for several years, the new Ypsilon should not remain alone for long: three new vehicles are planned by 2028. The second model after the Ypsilon is scheduled to come in 2026 – and then only with purely electric drives – it will probably be a hatchback sedan based on the STLA Medium. The approximately 4.70 meter long model will come from the factory in Melfi, Italy. The new Ypsilon, however, is not a native Italian: the small car is built together with the e-208 and Corsa Electric in Zaragoza, Spain.
