The brand will renew its tradition of elegant sedans with a 100% electric Gamma. However, Lancia does not aim to evoke nostalgia.
This marks the second phase of Lancia’s journey. Following the launch of the Ypsilon, which will debut soon in the French market, Lancia plans to introduce an entirely new model in 2026. The all-electric sedan, likely named Gamma, will measure approximately 4.70 meters in length, positioning it similarly to the Tesla Model 3 or BMW i4. The design will focus on modern aesthetics and refined comfort rather than extreme performance.
« The design has just been approved by Carlos Tavares,” Luca Napolitano, the head of the Turin brand, shared with us during the media tests of the Ypsilon. We conducted tests with potential Italian and German customers, and the feedback was very positive. The term that was most frequently mentioned was ‘futuristic,’ which confirms to me that we are on the right path. We do not intend to build nostalgic cars. ».
Just as the Gamma design was finalized, it became the last project directly overseen by Jean-Pierre Ploué. The creator of the Renault Twingo, who outlined the vision for the new Lancia, is transitioning his role to Gianni Colonello. This Italian designer was previously in charge of interior designs for the brand in Turin. The Frenchman will now oversee the design for Stellantis’ European brands (Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS, Fiat Europe, Lancia, Opel, Peugeot, Vauxhall).
In terms of aesthetics, we can anticipate the emergence of new brand identifiers, which have already begun to take shape in the Pu+Ra HPE concept car: the smoked front chalice, three LED branches, and the use of circles and lines alongside smooth metal surfaces. The exterior is expected to display a streamlined silhouette with a fastback design.
Lancia Gamma: onboard comfort
We appreciated the aesthetic design of the Ypsilon’s interior, though we found the quality of materials to be lacking. Given the target audience interested in sedans and the resulting higher price point, Lancia is expected to remedy this issue. Features like a transparent roof, premium carpets, and high-quality fabrics should create a sophisticated and relaxing environment for all passengers.
Stellantis is also likely to incorporate the soft cannelloni seats seen in the Pu+Ra HPE concept and the Ypsilon city car, along with a small table that will hold the induction charger situated between the central console and dashboard. Will Venetian blinds, a hallmark feature of the brand from the 1970s, make a comeback? Yes in the Gamma, Luca Napolitano confirmed to us a few months ago to our Milanese colleagues from Quattroruote.
Supporters of made in Italy can take comfort: the Gamma will be assembled in Melfi, in southern Italy, while the Ypsilon will be produced in Spain.
Lancia Gamma: 100% electric, but on a mixed platform
Unlike the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which is built on the STLA-Large platform, the Lancia will utilize the STLA-Medium platform. This platform has already been used for the recent Peugeot e-3008, as well as for its 136 hp hybrid variant. Currently, the product plan is to offer the Gamma exclusively in an electric version.
The company head has hinted that the Italian model may come with all-wheel drive. This enables us to transition from the HF designation with the Ypsilon to HF Integrale,” Luca Napolitano enthused. This label evokes the powerful four-wheel-drive Deltas from the 1980s… We mentioned avoiding nostalgia. In this configuration, the platform can support power outputs ranging from 220 to 390 hp, which is typical for sedans in this segment.
It remains unclear whether a two-wheel-drive version will be available. What is certain is that, for now, Stellantis requires front-wheel drive rather than rear-wheel drive for this platform. Consequently, there will be no frunk available. The high weight of the Peugeot e-3008 (2,108 kg for a single motor and a 73 kWh battery) was noted in initial tests, negatively impacting its efficiency. The lighter Gamma should perform better due to a smaller frontal area.
Currently, this platform does not support a nominal voltage of 800 volts. Therefore, the choice of batteries will be critical. In its current design, the platform can accommodate battery packs of 73 and 98 kWh “usable.” This could potentially provide a driving range of between 450 and 650 kilometers according to the WLTP standards.
The e-3008 equipped with NMC batteries produced by a BYD subsidiary now claims a peak charging power of 160 kW. However, it has shown disappointing performance during the latter part of charging sessions, as indicated by my colleague Souyane Benhammouda’s supertest, which reported 40-minute stops to increase charge from 10% to 80%. Fortunately for the Gamma, results could significantly improve with the introduction of new batteries manufactured by ACC.
This joint venture, established by Stellantis, Mercedes, and TotalEnergies, was expected to launch a battery factory in Termoli, located 160 kilometers from the Gamma assembly plant in Melfi. The two-billion-euro project—subsidized by 400 million euros in public funds—is currently on hold. Stellantis cites a slowdown in demand for electric vehicles and the need to meet the production requirements for the 500 “hybrid” FireFly engines still being manufactured at the Termoli site as reasons for the suspension. Thus, yet another point of contention arises between Giorgia Meloni’s government and Carlos Tavares’ group… Consequently, the Gamma’s batteries may also be sourced from Douvrin (Pas-de-Calais) or Kaiserslautern (Germany).
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At this stage, discussing pricing is premature. However, the premium positioning Stellantis envisions for Lancia is likely to place the Gamma in a price range of around 55,000 to 60,000 euros. This projection will need to be validated based on the final specifications of the powertrain.
Come back, Gamma…
Not nostalgic? The Gamma will still carry a name and form that hark back to the past. Launched in 1976, the Lancia Gamma was one of the most revolutionary large sedans of its era. It broke ground with its shape. Following the very conventional and three-box Flavia and 2000, Turin introduced a fastback design achieving a drag coefficient (Cx) of 0.30—an exceptional figure in the 1970s, as noted by the media of that time, during a period of energy crisis.
Constructed around a monocoque—something Lancia invented fifty years prior—and designed as a front-wheel drive, the Gamma was equipped with 2- and 2.5-litre 4-cylinder “boxer” engines. In contrast to the Citroën CX, which featured hydropneumatic suspension, the Gamma utilized a conventional system, lauded at the time for its effectiveness, similar to that of its smaller counterpart, the Lancia Beta.
Commercially, however, it was a failure, with fewer than 15,000 units produced until 1984 in Chivasso, near Turin. “It baffled Lancia enthusiasts who expected a vehicle that could rival German six-cylinder cars,” noted Quattroruote in 1981.
Its underpinnings were the foundation for the Lancia Megagamma concept car, unveiled at the 1978 Turin Motor Show. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign, this vehicle played a pivotal role in automobile history. This cubic model, measuring 4.31 meters long and weighing just over a ton, predated the emergence of minivans with its sloping nose and elevated passenger positioning.
Philippe Guédon, head of Matra’s automotive division, took note of this. Impressed by the vans during a study visit to the United States, he commissioned a drawing from designer Antoine Volanis. Volanis sketched an “orange drawing” that eventually led to the creation, after a convoluted development process and Peugeot’s rejection, of the Renault Espace in 1984. We said we’d avoid nostalgia.
Lancia Gamma: The Future of Elegance with 100% Electric Power
The brand will renew its tradition of elegant sedans with a 100% electric Gamma. But Lancia does not intend to play the nostalgia card.
Overview of the Lancia Gamma
Lancia is set to make waves in the automotive industry with the introduction of its new 100% electric sedan, the Gamma, expected to launch in 2026. This vehicle will be the second step on Lancia’s electrification journey, following the release of the Ypsilon within weeks in the French market.
Design and Aesthetics of the Gamma
At approximately 4.70 meters, the Gamma will rival electric sedans like the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4. The design has already garnered positive feedback from potential customers, who described it as “futuristic,” confirming Lancia’s commitment to modern aesthetics rather than nostalgia. “The design has just been approved by Carlos Tavares,” revealed Luca Napolitano, head of Lancia, during a press event.
Innovative Features Onboard
Interior Comfort and Quality
Building on the positive reactions to the **Ypsilon’s** interior aesthetics, Lancia aims to enhance material quality in the Gamma. Key features will likely include a transparent roof and high-quality upholstery, creating an inviting and comfortable cabin similar to a luxurious lounge. Additionally, the inclusion of cannelloni soft seats and an innovative induction charging table are anticipated, enhancing convenience and comfort for passengers.
Exterior Design Elements
The new aesthetic markers will borrow inspiration from the Pu+Ra HPE concept car, showcasing fluid lines, a smoked chalice design at the front, and three LED lighting branches. The Gamma is expected to adopt a fastback silhouette, reminiscent of innovative designs from Lancia’s past.
Performance and Powertrain
A Modern Electric Vehicle Platform
The Lancia Gamma will leverage the STLA-Medium platform, which has already supported models like the Peugeot e-3008. Unlike the luxury-focused Alfa Romeo Giulia, the Gamma is designed purely as an electric vehicle initially, though all-wheel drive options are already in discussion.
Power Output and Efficiency
Power outputs are expected to range from 220 to 390 horsepower, adequately matching the competitiveness of its segment. The precise configuration for two-wheel drive versions is yet to be confirmed, but the STLA-Medium platform has been established for traction rather than traditional propulsion. Battery configurations may offer packs of 73 kWh and 98 kWh, with potential ranges between 450 and 650 kilometers according to WLTP standards.
Batteries and Charging
With the rising demand for EVs, **battery choice** is crucial. Currently, the 800-volt charging capability is not applicable to the STLA-Medium platform, leading to speculation about utilizing batteries from alternate sources. The Gamma is likely to receive batteries from Douvrin (Pas-de-Calais) or Kaiserslautern (Germany) following the suspension of the previously planned battery plant in Termoli due to reduced electric vehicle demand.
Expectations and Market Positioning
Pricing and Market Segment
Pricing for the Lancia Gamma is anticipated to fall within the 55,000 to 60,000 euro range, positioning it as a premium electric sedan. Given Lancia’s ambitious design and technological goals, the Gamma is expected to compete strongly within the market.
Production and Assembly
Proudly embracing its Italian heritage, the Gamma will be assembled in Melfi, while the Ypsilon production will occur in Spain. This aligns with Lancia’s commitment to maintaining Italian craftsmanship in its luxury vehicles.
The Legacy of Lancia and the Gamma Name
While Lancia aims to distance itself from nostalgia, the Gamma name carries significant historical weight. Originally unveiled in 1976, the Lancia Gamma set forth a radical design that incorporated a fastback silhouette. Though it had commercial struggles, the vehicle is remembered for its innovative approach to aerodynamic design during an energy crisis era.
Specifications Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Options | 73 kWh, 98 kWh |
| Range | 450 – 650 km (WLTP) |
| Power Output | 220 – 390 hp |
| Expected Price | €55,000 – €60,000 |
| Manufacturing Location | Melfi, Italy |
Forward-Looking Statements
Lancia’s Gamma is being positioned at the forefront of electric mobility in Europe, emphasizing a blend of modern design, innovative technology, and an enriched driving experience. As we await its launch in 2026, it’s clear that this sedan is more than a homage to the past; it symbolizes Lancia’s commitment to future-forward automotive engineering.
