Lancia wants to make its comeback by focusing on the premium segment of electric cars. Can the new Ypsilon really convince French buyers?
Despite numerous leaks throughout recent months, it was only on February 14, 2024 that the Lancia Ypsilon was officially launched from Italy. It is with this model, first presented as 100% electric, that the Italian brand wants to conquer the European market again.
Lancia left the French market in 2016, and is preparing to return to sell Lancia Ypsilons there at the end of 2024. The question that arises today is: who wants to buy a Lancia Ypsilon? This model, a more chic cousin of the Peugeot e-208, should be sold much more expensive, around €40,000 for the launch version.
The same technical sheet as Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa-e
There were no real surprises regarding the model’s features. The new Lancia Ypsilon is based on the same base as its two cousins 208 and Corsa. The model is 4.08 meters long: it is therefore an electric city car, but premium according to the brand’s message. It is in the weight of the model that we can feel the difference, with 1,584 kg on the scale, which is heavier than its cousins.
The model is equipped with a 115 kW (156 hp) engine with a torque of 260 Nm. The 100 kW (136 hp) version is not offered on this new product. This engine is associated with the 51 kWh battery, common to the two other models, without further technical details on the supplier and its chemistry. For the rest of the known information:
- Range: 403 km wltp
- Consumption: from 14.3 to 14.6 kWh/1000 km
- DC charging: 100 kW max
- Duration of 20 to 80%: 24 minutes
The Lancia Ypsilon stands out differently
If the Lancia does not stand out on its technical sheet, it is in the style and on-board equipment that the brand offers an experience that aims to be different from the competition.
Design is a particularly important part of the Lancia spirit. The brand has never sought to be conventional, and certainly, the difference is more marked with the Peugeot or the Opel, than between the Opel and the Peugeot. It’s difficult to say if this slightly more atypical design will impress buyers enough to make them fall in love with it.
The interior also tries another approach. Not sure that the interior table is really the element that manages to convince customers. On the other hand, the heated and massaging velor seats will probably score a few points for fans of the genre.
Lancia is also trying another approach with its on-board technology. The SALA virtual interface must make life easier for occupants on board and “ easily adapt to the mood of the moment ”, according to the brand’s communication.
A very premium price too
It is still too early to have the prices and detailed range of this model for France. That said, Lancia boss Luca Napolitano has given a first price for Italian orders of the launch version, valid until the end of February. This is a rental with purchase option (LOA) offer at €200 per month over 35 months. The first rent is €9,800 and the final sum is set at €22,854. This allows us to calculate that this launch model will be marketed just below €40,000. You should not expect a lower price for France, quite the contrary.
Will the Lancia Ypsilon manage to do better than the DS 3 and its 2,035 units sold in 2023? We doubt it, but the model will arrive too late this year to be able to judge it. We will have to wait until 2025 to have a clearer picture of the success or failure of Lancia’s return to France. By then, the sports version with its 240 hp will have been revealed, perhaps offering a few more sales for the brand in perspective.
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