Lancia Ypsilon Debuts First EV
The Lancia Ypsilon hatchback, the only commercial model of the Italian brand today, has experienced a generational change. Its full premiere will take place in Milan on February 14, but in the meantime, the manufacturer has published official photographs of the exterior and interior of the new product. The only announced characteristic is a power reserve of 402 kilometers (250 miles) on a single charge.
According to the strategy of the parent concern Stellantis, announced in the spring of the year before last, the new Ypsilon will be the last Lancia with an internal combustion engine and at the same time, the first electric car of the brand. The declassification of the hatchback began with the battery version in a special version of the Limited Edition Cassina. Its circulation will be symbolically limited to 1,906 “numbered and certified” copies, in honor of the year the company was founded.
The exterior of the new Lancia Ypsilon was fully revealed last month, thanks to spy photos. The production model received a number of stylistic solutions, first demonstrated at last year’s Pu+Ra HPE concept. These include a three-beam “light signature” on the fascia and Stratos-style round taillights. At the same time, the general outline of the Italian hatchback resembles the same-platform Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa.
The cabin has separate instruments and multimedia displays. On the center console, there is a round “table” with wireless charging for a smartphone, which is also a reference to Pu+Ra HPE. Also borrowed from the concept was the Sound Air Light Augmented (SALA) assistant, which is responsible for interacting with the infotainment complex, climate control, and lighting. The word sala itself is translated from Italian as “living room,” and it is in this spirit that the developers tried to decorate the interior. Luxury furniture manufacturer Cassina helped with the selection of colors and finishing materials for the debut special version.
Most likely, Lancia Ypsilon will receive the same 156-horsepower electric motor driving the front wheels as other related Stellantis models. It will be powered by a battery with a capacity of about 54 kilowatt-hours. Following the electric vehicle, moderate hybrid versions with a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine and a starter generator should be released.
Unlike its predecessor, which was sold only in Italy, the new Ypsilon will also be presented in other European markets. The spring before last, Lancia announced its intention to open 100 dealerships in 60 major EU cities.
Lancia’s next model will be a flagship fastback with a range of 700 kilometers, built on the STLA Medium architecture. Its production will begin in Melfi in 2026. Two years later, a battery-powered successor to the Delta would join the lineup.
Lancia Ypsilon also has plans to launch in Canada soon, however, not yet been confirmed by the company.