Lancia returns with new electric car

After more than a decade without a new model, Lancia is celebrating a comeback with the launch of the electric small car Ypsilon. Internal combustion engines are also planned.

Christopher Clausen/t-online

It's been more than a decade since Fiat's luxury brand launched new models, with models such as the Ypsilon, Thema or Delta no longer sold in the country since 2017. The Ypsilon small car is only available in Italy and was the best-selling vehicle in the small car segment last year. Now, the brand has announced an international comeback starting with a new version of Ypsilon.

Stellantis brings the Lancia brand back to life. Image: Lancia

Memory of previous models

When they return, the Italians are relying on a 4.08-meter-long small car that will initially be launched as a pure electric vehicle. The new one is a full 20 centimeters longer than its predecessor. Together with Alfa Romeo and DS, it forms the “premium family” within the Stellantis group. Claim: These cars are supposed to be higher quality and more refined than similar models, but also more expensive.

To achieve this, Lancia dug deep into the traditional box: the front features the new Lancia logo between a continuous light bar and striking headlights, a nod to the sporty Monteca of the 80s Lo's tribute. There's also an unusually large chrome letter on the hood.

This can also be found on the black panel at the rear between the prominent round taillights, which are adorned with a horizontal “Y”. The shape will be familiar to fans of the former Strato supercar.

Interior lined with velvet. Image: Lancia

Interior view: This is digital. There's a central display and a display behind the flat-bottomed steering wheel, each measuring 10.25 inches. The launch model, the Ypsilon Cassina, will be the first to go on sale, of which only 1,906 units will be produced (the year Lancia was born) and sold only in Italy. The seats, door panels and dashboard top are all finished in blue velvet, Lancia's historic colour. It's unclear what the rest of the interior will look like later.

The most important functions can be operated by touching the display or using the switch strip under the storage table. The selector switches common in electric cars (forward, reverse, neutral) have been reduced to three buttons between the seats.

First electric, then gas

The technology of the new Ypsilon is basically known – it is shared with group models such as the Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208e and Fiat 600e. There is a 115 kW/156 hp electric motor mounted on the front axle and a 54 kWh battery in the car's floor. It should last for 400 kilometers and then be recharged to 100 kW. Like Corsa & Co., Lancia says the Ypsilon will be available with gasoline and mild hybrid engines (100 hp). A sporty HF version with 280 hp (also electric) has also been released.

Technical data

Market launch and pricing

However, Swiss customers will have to be patient before it goes on sale: although the Ypsilon is planned to go on sale in Italy this year as a special model of the Cassina (price starts at 39,500 euros), Lancia will not announce its return in Italy until mid-2025. Prices start at around 24,000 euros for the mild hybrid version and around 35,000 euros for the electric version.

Plans to launch more models

To ensure the comeback doesn't become a flash in the pan, Lancia has announced two further all-electric innovations for 2026 and 2028. With these, the brand intends to enter the compact and mid-range segments. The classic names Delta (golf class, 2026) and Gamma (intermediate class, 2028) are under discussion.

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