- From the debut of the Y10 in 1985 to the New Ypsilon, the Lancia model has won over more than three million drivers with 36 special series and five generations across its 40-year history.
- Thanks to its strong and distinct identity, the iconic vehicle has become a brand within a brand and has always united a timeless design to refined interiors and technological innovation.
- The mantle has been taken up by the New Ypsilon, the first model of Lancia’s new year, which elevates the concept of a compact city car, blending elegance, cutting-edge technology, and sustainability to keep in step with the demand for an increasingly more modern and connected form of mobility.
- Featuring sophisticated interiors, Level 2 Autonomous Driving, and the revolutionary S.A.L.A. system, the New Ypsilon is best-in-class in the premium hatchback B-segment.
- With the new Ypsilon Rally4 HF and the brand-new Trofeo Lancia, the brand pays tribute to its motorsport legacy; meanwhile, with the debut of the 280-hp Ypsilon HF midway through the year, Lancia is bringing a high-performance vehicle to the streets.
- The new model’s launch coincided with the renovation of 160 remodeled Casa Lancia in Italy, which will be followed by the opening of 70 new showrooms in Europe by 2025.
Over its forty years of history, the Lancia Ypsilon has maintained its essence up until the present day. Always faithful to its distinctive style and ability to stay ahead of the curve, it is an icon which has changed with the times. Throughout the years, the model has become a brand within a brand thanks to its strong and distinct identity, winning over three million drivers across five generations and 36 special series.
And today, the legend continues with the New Ypsilon—the first model of the brand’s new era—which features an unprecedented stylistic and technological leap forward, launching the Italian brand toward the sustainable, distinctive, and connected mobility of the future.
Luca Napolitano, Lancia CEO, states: “After forty years of success stories, stylistic evolutions, and technological innovations, the Ypsilon has become much more than a simple car. It is a symbol of elegance and personality which today, with the New Ypsilon, has entered new territory to satisfy the increased demand for sustainability and connectivity. Last July, production came to a halt on the fourth generation, marking both the end of an important era for the brand and the opening of a new phase for Lancia with the debut of the New Ypsilon. This brave yet necessary decision is part of Lancia’s plan to strengthen Stellantis’ premium portfolio in Europe together with the Alfa Romeo and DS Automobiles brands.”
The New Ypsilon, the forerunner of Lancia’s new era
The sinuous shapes of the New Lancia Ypsilon are inspired by the models that have made history for the brand, just like the round taillights, a clear reference to the Lancia Stratos, and the iconic “chalice” on the front, now revisited in three beams of LED light. Not to mention the fact that the New Lancia Ypsilon is the first Stellantis production car with the S.A.L.A. system, the smart virtual interface that ensures a comfortable driving experience in line with Lancia’s effortless technology.
Moreover, the Italian brand’s new creation is also best-in-class in the premium hatchback B-segment, courtesy of the most comprehensive specifications in its category: a large 10.25” display, the best standard parking aid system, and the greatest exterior lighting system in terms of technology and extent. It is also the only model in the segment equipped with Level 2 Autonomous Driving as standard on the Cassina version. The line-up consists of three versions for three different types of customers: the elegant New Lancia Ypsilon, dedicated to younger customers; the New Lancia Ypsilon LX, the highest spec and fullest version; the New Lancia Ypsilon Edizione Cassina, for those who want to feel at home in the car.
Each trim level of the New Lancia Ypsilon refers to the elegant yet sustainable concept of feeling at home, in perfect Lancia style, culminating in the exclusive New Lancia Ypsilon Edizione Cassina, the epitome of design, comfort, and well-being. Every version in the line-up is available in electric and hybrid configurations, making the model a segment leader in terms of versatility, efficiency, and respect for the environment. Specifically, the hybrid version is powered by a latest-generation hybrid engine, with a 100-hp (74-kW) 1.2-liter engine and 3-cylinder 48V technology, pairing maximum efficiency with the utmost reliability. Conversely, the 100% electric version embodies the brand’s vision in terms of range, charging time and efficiency for segment-leading performance.
The model is equipped with a 156-hp/115-kW power unit and a 51-kWh battery, to ensure a range of up to 403 km (WLTP combined cycle) and fast charging in 24 minutes (from 20% to 80%) or enough for 100 km in 10 minutes. The New Lancia Ypsilon is also an agile, dynamic car that can maintain remarkable grip and stability on the road and is at the same time equipped with great comfort, guaranteeing a level of absolute premiumness. Lastly, it worth is recalling that the launch of the New Ypsilon coincided with the remodeling of 160 Casa Lancia in Italy, the exclusive showrooms featuring the brand’s new corporate identity, which is to be followed by a network of 70 new showrooms in 70 Europe cities by 2025. The first markets involved are France, Spain, Belgium-Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, with Germany to welcome its first Lancia showrooms and dedicated service network this year.
The return to the rally world
However, the Ypsilon is not merely a symbol of elegance and technology: it also means performance. In fact, the New Ypsilon has given rise to extraordinary versions: the bold Ypsilon Rally 4 HF, marking Lancia’s return to the rally world, and the 280-hp Ypsilon HF, the high-performance road version which will make its market debut halfway through the year.
With 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in less than 5.7 seconds, the Ypsilon HF combines superior performance with a design inspired by the most radical vehicles from Lancia’s past, including a lowered suspension and a widened wheel track. Meanwhile, there has been plenty of buzz around the new Ypsilon Rally 4 HF, which has already received 80 European preorders in just three months.
It is set to be the star of the Trofeo Lancia, which will take place within the Italian Absolute Rally Championship (CIAR) with six races across five dates. With its stunning €360,000 prize fund, the Trofeo Lancia has established itself as one of the highest paying races on the national stage and provides drivers with the chance to win a spot in the official Lancia Corse HF team in the next FIA ERC season (if the winner is an Under-35). Specifically, the new Ypsilon Rally 4 HF is equipped with a 212-HP, 1.2 Turbo engine, a SADEV 5-speed gearbox, adjustable Ohlin shock absorbers, Sparco-branded seats, belts and steering wheels, and high-performance tires from the MICHELIN Pilot Sport range.
Notably, the Ypsilon Rally 4 HF and 280-HP Ypsilon HF models were fine-tuned by Miki Biasion, a genuine motorsport legend, who forged an unbreakable bond with Lancia in the 1980s and 90s, becoming the winningest Italian driver in history. Behind the iconic Delta of the Martini Racing team, Biasion won the 1988 and 1989 World Championships, helping Lancia become the most successful brand ever with ten World Constructors’ Championships, three Constructors’ and Endurance World Championships, one 1000 Miglia, two Targa Florio, and one Carrera Panamericana.
From the Y10 to the 2011 Ypsilon, a journey through elegance and exclusivity
Since its first appearance in 1985 with the Y10, Lancia’s compact car has set the bar in terms of elegance and innovation. Its unconventional personality and versatility have made it a vehicle which is capable of evolving with the times and winning over generations of drivers. The Y10 wowed everyone with its wedged-shape, large windows, and, whatever the main bodywork color, a black tailgate—a look which defined an era.
Over time, the model evolved with the 1995 Lancia Y, which introduced the concept of a premium city car and featured the innovative and famous “Kaleidos” color personalization program, which allowed customers to choose from 100 different tones. Its heir, the 2003 Lancia Ypsilon, took refinement to a whole new level with more spacious interiors, higher-quality materials, and a range of efficient engines. The same took place in 2011 when the baton was passed to the fourth generation, which continued to captivate with its sophisticated style and unconventional class, but had increased in size and become more attractive to a wider public.
In fact, for the first time, the Ypsilon came in a 5-door version to offer greater comfort to fans of charm and Lancia’s unique style. Interestingly, one of the characteristics which has set Ypsilon apart over the years is its unbreakable bond with the fashion world. It has included 36 special editions throughout its history: from the 1986 Y10 Fila to 2022 Ypsilon Alberta Ferretti and collaborations with iconic brands like Missoni, Momo Design, and Elle. These exclusive editions, some in limited series, turned the fashion city car into a trendy product. Moreover, since the launch of the first generation, the Ypsilon has created a special relationship with women, becoming the perfect car for jetting around the city and going beyond the simple concept of mobility.
Lastly, the model’s success also comes courtesy of a consistently original and eye-catching communications strategy: take for instance, the Y10’s “right car for beautiful people” campaign or the Y10 4WD’s ad featuring a female robot in a futuristic city. Lancia’s unconventional communication strategy for the Ypsilon has strengthened its identity and notoriety over the years. Its spokespeople have included the actors Carol Alt, Eleonora Brigliadori, Giuliano Gemma, and Sergio Castellitto, the model Eva Herzigova, and, more recently Stefano Gabbana, Vincent Cassel, Kasia Smutniak, and Cristiana Capotondi, a constant advocate for women’s right and the star of the “Together to protect” (2025) and “Punch” (2022) campaigns.
