2023-06-29 07:00:00
The smallest in the program starts things off. When the Italian brand Lancia returns to the international markets next year, the four meter long Ypsilon will be the first new model to appear in dealerships. The brand’s comeback outside of Italy, where the Ypsilon is still one of the best-selling models, is well defined.
The Ypsilon made its first appearance as a hybrid and fully electric variant, followed in 2026 by the new flagship Gamma (4.60 metres) and finally in 2028 by the all-electric hatchback Delta (4.40 metres). From 2028 onwards, all Lancia models will only come onto the market as battery-electric vehicles. In addition, a sporty version of the Ypsilon with the traditional two letters HF will follow in 2025. Together with the two brands DS and Alfa Romeo, Lancia will form the premium trio in the Stellantis group. According to product manager Paolo Loiotile, Lancia should “stand for Italian elegance”. The resurrection of Lancia is also the personal wish of Stellantis boss Carlo Tavares.
Lancia will remain an exclusive brand when it is restarted and will initially be offered by a total of 70 dealers in the markets of Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Belgium. The 25 German dealers (plus another 100 service points) met in Frankfurt for their first dealer conference and were able to examine the Pu+Ra design study there, which, despite its avant-garde shape, already reveals a few things regarding the future design of the brand.
While the body will never go into series production, elements from the interior will likely reappear on the Ypsilon. The interior is designed like a cocoon around the occupants, with the creative team in Turin collaborating with the posh furniture manufacturer Cassina. Among other things, a small table in the rear should also serve as a shelf for the passengers in the series. If the last models, which bore the Lancia lettering but were actually Chrysler models, are forgotten, the brand always stood for design that did not necessarily follow conventional ideas. Lancia is obviously continuing this tradition now. “Our goal,” says chief designer Pierre Ploué, “was an emotional Italian design that combines the past and the future.” It has indeed succeeded. In the interior, the designers used a new material reminiscent of the fabrics of the Lancia models of the 1970s.
Despite re-entering European markets, Lancia will, at least initially, grow primarily in Italy. The loyal Ypsilon customers are waiting there, but they have to adjust to a new price structure. So far, the small car costs between 15,000 and 20,000 euros. In the future, the price list will start significantly higher. At the same time, the Y becomes more “masculine”. “Until now, it was mainly women who bought the Ypsilon. We want to change that with the new, technologically more sophisticated model,” explains Loiotile. (cen/ww)
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