Lancia is a brand that has been struggling for years to survive in the competitive and changing automotive market. Once known for its innovative and elegant cars and glorious rally history, Lancia has been reduced to a single model, the Ypsilon, since 2015. The Lancia Ypsilon is a small hatchback that has been on sale since 2011, and is only available in Italy, where it still enjoys some popularity among loyal customers.
However, things are about to change for Lancia, as the brand has recently unveiled the new Ypsilon, a completely redesigned and electrified version of its flagship model. The 2024 Lancia Ypsilon is the first step in Lancia’s revival plan, which aims to restore the brand’s reputation and expand its presence in Europe and beyond. The new Ypsilon is based on the same platform as the Peugeot e-208 and the Opel Corsa-e, two of the best-selling electric cars in Europe, but it features a distinctive and stylish design, a luxurious and refined interior and a range of modern and advanced technologies.
The Design: A Modern Interpretation of Lancia’s Heritage
The new Lancia Ypsilon is a car that stands out from the crowd thanks to its unique and sophisticated design. The front end is dominated by a wide and glossy black grille, which incorporates LED lights that form the letter Y, a nod to the car’s name and Lancia’s logo. The hexagonal headlights are placed below the grille, giving the car a sharp and aggressive look. The hood features a subtle bulge, reminiscent of the legendary Lancia Stratos.
The sleek and dynamic side profile has a sloping roofline and a prominent shoulder line. The car has a three-door configuration, but the rear door handles are hidden in the C-pillars, creating the illusion of a coupe. The car is available in 12 different colors, including some exclusive shades inspired by Lancia’s past models, such as Blu Lancia, Rosso Fulvia, and Verde Zagato. The car also offers a choice of 15-inch or 16-inch alloy wheels with different designs and finishes.
The rear end is equally distinctive, with circular LED taillights that also feature the Y motif. The tailgate has a smooth and clean surface, with only the Lancia logo and the Ypsilon nameplate. The bumper has a black diffuser and a chrome strip, adding some contrast and sportiness to the car.
The Interior: A Blend of Elegance and Technology
The new Ypsilon’s interior is a place where comfort and technology meet. The dashboard is dominated by a pair of 10.3-inch screens, one for the digital instrument cluster and one for the infotainment system. The screens are seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, creating a minimalist and futuristic look. The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a virtual assistant that can be activated by saying “Hey Lancia”. The system also provides access to various functions and settings, such as climate control, navigation, media, and driving modes.
The seats are upholstered in a blue velvet fabric made from recycled yarn and feature a ribbed pattern. The front seats have heating and massaging functions, while the rear seats can be folded to increase the trunk space. The steering wheel, the gear lever, and the door panels are covered in leather with contrast stitching and chrome accents. The car also has customizable ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger, and three USB-C ports.
The new Ypsilon offers high safety and convenience thanks to its Level 2 autonomous driving system. The system uses a combination of cameras, sensors, and radars to monitor the road and the traffic and can assist the driver with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic jam assist, and emergency braking. The system can be activated between 30 and 150 km/h (19 and 93 mph), and can control the speed and the steering of the car, while the driver still has to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.
The Performance: A Smooth and Efficient Electric Drive
The Lancia Ypsilon electric car is powered by a single electric motor mounted on the front axle that delivers 154 horsepower and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque. This is more than the Peugeot e-208 and the Opel Corsa-e, which have the same motor but with 136 horsepower and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque. The new Ypsilon can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).
The motor is fed by a 51 kWh lithium-ion battery, which is located under the floor of the car, lowering the center of gravity and improving the handling. The battery can provide a range of up to 400 km (250 miles) on the WLTP cycle, which is comparable to the Peugeot e-208 and the Opel Corsa-e, which have a range of 340 km (211 miles) and 337 km (209 miles), respectively. The battery can be recharged from 20 to 80 percent in 24 minutes using a 100 kW fast charger or in 5 hours using a 7.4 kW wallbox.
The new Ypsilon also has three driving modes, which can be selected via a rotary knob on the center console. The modes are:
- Eco: This mode reduces the power and the torque of the motor and limits the top speed to 90 km/h (56 mph) to maximize the range and the car's efficiency.
- Normal: This mode provides a balanced performance, with the full power and torque of the motor and a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).
- Sport: This mode enhances the responsiveness and agility of the car by increasing the throttle sensitivity and the steering weight.
The Price: A Premium and Competitive Offer
The new Lancia Ypsilon is expected to go on sale in Italy in the second half of 2024 and in other European markets in 2025. The car will be available in two trim levels: Oro and Platino. The Oro trim will include features such as LED headlights and taillights, 15-inch alloy wheels, velvet seats, a digital instrument cluster, an infotainment system, a wireless phone charger, ambient lighting, and a Level 2 autonomous driving system. The Platino trim will include 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and gear lever, heated and massaging front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, and a premium sound system.
The price of the new Lancia Ypsilon has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be around 30,000 euros ($34,000) for the Oro trim and 35,000 euros ($39,700) for the Platino trim. This would make the new Ypsilon slightly more expensive than the Peugeot e-208 and the Opel Corsa-e, which start at 29,900 euros ($33,900) and 29,800 euros ($33,800), respectively. However, the new Ypsilon would also offer a more powerful motor, a more luxurious interior, and a more distinctive design, which could justify the premium.
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The Comparison: How Does the New Ypsilon Stack Up Against Its Rivals?
The new Lancia Ypsilon is not the only small electric hatchback on the market, as it faces some strong and established competitors, such as the Renault Zoe, the Volkswagen ID.3, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. How does the new Ypsilon compare to these rivals? Here is a table that summarizes the main specifications and features of each car:
| Model | Lancia Ypsilon | Renault Zoe | Volkswagen ID.3 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | 154 hp / 260 Nm | 135 hp / 245 Nm | 150 hp / 310 Nm | 170 hp / 350 Nm |
| Battery | 51 kWh | 52 kWh | 58 kWh | 58 kWh |
| Range | 400 km (250 miles) | 395 km (245 miles) | 420 km (261 miles) | 384 km (238 miles) |
| 0-100 km/h (62 mph) | 8.5 s | 9.5 s | 8.9 s | 8.5 s |
| Top speed | 150 km/h (93 mph) | 140 km/h (87 mph) | 160 km/h (99 mph) | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
| Charging time (20-80%) | 24 min (100 kW) | 30 min (50 kW) | 35 min (100 kW) | 18 min (350 kW) |
| Price | 30,000-35,000 euros ($34,000-$39,700) | 27,900-32,900 euros ($31,600-$37,300) | 31,495-41,995 euros ($35,700-$47,600) | 41,900-51,900 euros ($47,500-$58,800) |
As the table shows, the new Ypsilon is competitive in terms of performance, range, and charging time, but it is also more expensive than most of its rivals, except for the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which is larger and more powerful. The new Ypsilon’s main advantages are its design, interior, and technology, making it a more premium and distinctive choice in the segment.
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A Promising Start for Lancia’s Comeback
The new Ypsilon is a car that marks a new beginning for Lancia, a brand that has been neglected and marginalized for too long. The new Ypsilon is a car that combines the best of Lancia’s heritage, such as its design, elegance, and innovation, with the best of Stellantis’s resources, such as its platform, technology, and distribution. The new Ypsilon car offers a premium and distinctive alternative to mainstream and conventional electric cars with its style, comfort, and performance.
The new Ypsilon is not a perfect car, as it has some drawbacks, such as its high price, limited availability, and lack of brand recognition. However, the new Ypsilon car deserves attention and appreciation, representing a bold and ambitious move from Lancia. This brand is determined to regain its glory and relevance in the automotive world. The new Ypsilon is a car that could be the first of many new and exciting models from Lancia, a brand with a lot of potential and a lot of history to draw from.
The new Ypsilon is a car worth considering for anyone looking for a small electric hatchback that is different from the rest, that is classy and electric, that is Lancia.
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