The general director of Lancia, Luca Napolitano, presents the limited series of the new Ypsilon in Milan, February 14, 2024 (AFP/GABRIEL BOUYS)
The Italian automobile brand Lancia, one of Stellantis’ sleeping beauties, unveiled its new Ypsilon on Wednesday, more spacious and sophisticated than the current city car, in a 100% electric version, the first stage of its “rebirth” and a springboard for reconquest from Europe.
The latest from Stellantis will initially be available in Italy in 1,906 copies, a limited series designed in partnership with the designer furniture brand Cassina. This number recalls the year Lancia was founded.
“The new Ypsilon is the starting point for the relaunch of our brand and will provide impetus for our return to Europe,” its general director Luca Napolitano told AFP on the sidelines of his presentation at Cassina’s premises in Milan.
While Alfa Romeo, another Italian Stellantis brand, relaunched with SUVs, Lancia gradually withdrew from all its foreign markets.
It only sold one model, its little Ypsilon, and only in Italy, where it is No. 3 in sales behind the Fiat Panda and the Dacia Sandero.
The new Lancia Ypsilon limited edition Cassina was presented in Milan on February 14, 2024 (AFP/GABRIEL BOUYS)
A nod to Lancia’s prestigious past, the silhouette of the new Ypsilon follows the soft shapes of the legendary Aurelia sedan from the 1950s, brought up to date in a more modern style.
Another reminder, Lancia uses the emblematic round rear lights of its sports car Stratos, the queen of rallying in the 1970s, now LED and featuring the letter Y.
– Recovery in Europe, a challenge –
Inspired by the Beta Montecarlo sports car, also from the 70s, the grille has been revisited in a rather futuristic style, marked by three rays of LED light.
“The new Lancia is more modern, more contemporary, we do not want to build cars that are only focused on the past,” commented Mr. Napolitano.
Powered by a 100% electric motor, 156 hp/115 kW, the new Ypsilon promises a range of up to 403 km. It shares its platform (chassis) with the group’s other small electric vehicles, the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa.
A hybrid version will be launched in the coming weeks. And in 2025, there will be an electric sports version with 240 hp.
Stellantis’ first premium car in the B segment, the new Ypsilon is already on sale in Italy, where reservations have exceeded expectations.
Luca Napolitano unveils the new Lancia Ypsilon in Milan, February 14, 2024 (AFP/GABRIEL BOUYS)
As for the recovery in Europe, “it is a big challenge”, admitted Mr. Napolitano. First test, the new Ypsilon will be marketed during the summer in the Netherlands and Belgium.
It will then be launched at the end of 2024 in France, a country which “has many Lancia enthusiasts”, according to Mr. Napolitano, and in Spain, where the new car will also be produced, in Zaragoza. Germany will follow in 2025.
– Return to car racing? –
However, the bet is not won in advance, even if the design of the new Ypsilon is “unique”, judges Felipe Munoz, analyst from the Jato Dynamics firm.
“The Lancia Ypsilon targets the upper and more expensive part of the B segment, which is in decline in Europe because people prefer to buy SUVs,” he comments to AFP.
“A brand cannot live from its fans, it lives from its sales,” he argues. Given the move upmarket and the associated prices, “it will be difficult to convince them to buy, especially outside Italy.”
Sales of the new Ypsilon should focus “80%” on Italy. But in 2026, the future flagship model called Gamma, an electric crossover halfway between sedan and SUV, should be sold 50% abroad, said Mr. Napolitano.
Luca Napolitano (d) and Cassina CEO Luca Fuso (l) present the limited series of the new Ypsilon in Milan, February 14, 2024 (AFP/GABRIEL BOUYS)
Another electric car, a sports compact called “Delta” like its illustrious ancestor from the 1980s, is announced for 2028.
As for a return to motor racing, abandoned in the early 90s, Mr. Napolitano does not rule it out: “It was part of our dreams, it’s in the drawers. If the Lancia Ypsilon is a success, the drawer will perhaps open, little by little.
© 2024 AFP
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