Lancia Ypsilon shows how Lancia is tackling the electric relaunch
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. This is because the new generation of the small car represents a kind of revitalisation of the brand: Lancia only had the previous generation in its range. This was launched back in 2011 and has only been sold in Italy since 2017. But it was a success: with around 45,000 vehicles sold, it was the third best-selling car in Italy in 2023.
With the new Ypsilon, other markets are to be tackled again. There are no special features in terms of technology, but proven mass-produced goods 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. The 115 kW front motor comes from Stellantis and Nidec, and the 54 kWh battery should be sufficient for a WLTP range of over 400 kilometres. There are also no differences in charging – AC with 11 kW, DC with up to 100 kW.
The new Ypsilon’s main speciality lies in its design – here it stands out from the more reserved Corsa Electric and the emphatically dynamic Peugeot. The small car adopts numerous design elements from the Pu+Ra Zero (end of 2022) and Pu+Ra HPE (April 2023) concept studies. For example, there is an eye-catching and slightly arrow-shaped daytime running light across the entire width of the vehicle, between the daytime running light and the bonnet is a dark and also arrow-shaped design element, in which the Lancia lettering (not the logo) is integrated. Officially, by the way, 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. There are round LED tail lights at the rear – “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 has not yet announced prices, but the Lancia is likely to be priced slightly higher than its well-known sister models. This is because it is to be a “premium B model”. “The new Lancia Ypsilon is now set to move up into the premium league and focus on customer comfort with a sophisticated interior concept inspired by the furniture industry. The prospective buyers are between 40 and 45 years old. They lead an urban and active lifestyle. They are interested in Italian style and technological innovation. They pay attention to the environment and follow the latest trends,” the press release states.
Even though Lancia has only had one model on the market for several years now, the new Ypsilon will not remain alone for long: Three new vehicles are planned by 2028. The second model after the Ypsilon is due to arrive in 2026 – and then only with purely electric drive systems – this is likely to be a hatchback saloon based on the STLA Medium. The model, which is around 4.70 metres long, is to come from the plant in Melfi, Italy. The new Ypsilon, on the other hand, is not a native Italian: the small car will be built together with the e-208 and Corsa Electric in Zaragoza, Spain.
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