To mark the 25th anniversary of the legendary Ypsilon, Geneva will see the launch of the Lancia new Ypsilon which will go on sale from June across key European markets and from September under the Chrysler badge in Great Britain and Ireland. The fourth series of the successful model – with over 1.5 million cars in circulation – the Lancia “mini flagship” is truly a heady mix of luxury, technology and power in just 3.84 metres and, for the first time ever, is proposed in a 5-door version designed to offer even greater convenience and comfort to devotees of Lancia charm, technological excellence and unique style.
The perfect synthesis of sophisticated style and substance, the new Ypsilon confirms the basic personality of previous versions, comprising a distinctive character that seduces with its good looks and elegance, boosted by cutting-edge technology applied to engines and comfort which not only delivers reduced emissions and consumption - thanks to technologies such as TwinAir, MultiJet II and Start&Stop - but also offers unparalleled on-board wellbeing through features unique in this category, including the brand new “Blue&Me–TomTom LIVE” and the “Smart fuel” system”, in addition to the innovative Magic Parking2, Xenon headlights and LED tail lights.
A veritable designer label thanks to its charm and personality, Lancia's new mini flagship continues to excite with its irreverent, sophisticated style and its unconventional class, but it has become more grown up and mature, with a wider appeal. And below this polished exterior bearing the prestigious “Made in Italy” label, lies all the substance of a car built to continue its domination of the key segment of exclusive “compact” cars – despite being a “5-door” model, it is just 3.84 metres long – in response to recent market trends (this body represents two thirds of segment B) and to the needs of a broader target than that reached until now, including young men and young families. It is precisely regarding the quality, comfort and usability of the interiors that the new Ypsilon is determined to make all the difference. Hop inside and you become instantly aware of the refined materials and colour combinations, the attention to detail and the numerous options for customisation.
The new Ypsilon has its sights set on becoming the alternative “premium” city car for everyone, anywhere in Europe, designed as it is for a demanding customer who likes to stand out from the crowd but who also, at the same time, wants a car that is enjoyable and comfortable for everyday use.
Without forgetting that nowadays the product itself is not the only “premium” element for enticing a potential customer. For this reason the brand has come up with important new sales and after-sales proposals to cater to the desires, needs, tastes and aspirations of many different customers. An example? The extended warranty devised by FGA Capital. What's exciting about this solution is the extended duration from 36 to 96 months, the unlimited mileage and the contents: a real “bumper to bumper” proposal offering virtually complete cover for the vehicle.
Lastly, if further proof of the comprehensive nature of this project were needed, the new Ypsilon range is broad and diverse right from the launch, with 3 engines, 17 elegant liveries, of which 4 are two-tone, and 3 interior trim specifications (Silver, Gold and Platinum) all designed to offer the customer high product value. A refined and innovative Italian “5-door”, therefore, the new Ypsilon represents the head of the new Lancia range which harmoniously combines sophisticated style, real substance and attentiveness to customers.
Style: tradition meets the future
Elements that recall the past are masterfully reworked in a modern vein. This is the original style of the new Ypsilon which once again reveals its feisty, non-conformist character, in which the elegance and refinement inherited from its distant forebears are reworked, embracing new cross-fertilisation or consolidating solutions which are by no means obvious.
So, while the exterior of the vehicle exudes an intriguing style, the inside provides the perfect place for elegance and innovation to join forces: on the one hand there is meticulous attention to craftsmanship in upholstery, which has always set Lancia cars apart from the competition, then there is the use of highly advanced design solutions. This union between elegance and innovation produces the unmistakable Lancia class which, like the best Italian luxury products, combines unparalleled style with cutting-edge technology. And it is precisely the Italian stylistic features that transform a product “made in Italy” into something unique. This is as true for fashion and fashion accessories as it is for a successful car. Indeed, a car's success is the result of a winning bet, of a flash of stylistic intuition mediated by research on new trends in tastes, on emerging customer needs and on forecasts relating to market trends and rival models. In short, it stems from a demanding recipe that is tested by the most severe judge of all: time.
Exterior: originality and innovation
Although it is compact, the new Ypsilon vehicle body sports a streamlined look: this time the weight proportions and graphics “play” the volumes differently, distributing them nonetheless over very similar dimensions to the previous Ypsilon. Indeed, compared to the previous model, although the wheelbase is virtually identical, there are design differences: the windscreen is further forward while the front projection has been shortened in order to increase the rear one, providing a more spacious boot. Last but not least, the important decision was taken to have five doors on all versions. In the end, this adds almost six centimetres to the overall length and trims two centimetres off the height, achieving a sleeker look.
The volume of the front, nicely connected and pointed, shows off a new grille: as in a metamorphosis, the stem of the glass moves up, embracing the logo, and leaves room for the horizontal bars, with “spear” shaped tips. On one hand the spirit and non-conformist genes of the Ypsilon, on the other, an acknowledgment of the past with the sixties/seventies style grille.
With a unique design which is independent of other elements, the headlights made by Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting develop horizontally, highlighting the width of the front end. These, in the xenon version, have rounded elliptical modules that give the car an even more aggressive and decisive “look”. In addition, the ends of the headlights define the size of the wings at the side. Above these and the grille rests the bonnet, like a lid, delineating a clear horizontal division: the design is subtly reminiscent of the lines of the Lancia Ardea.
The side sports elements that hint at the car's personality and character, and these are offset by other more discreet lines: the handle of the rear door is concealed, integrated into the structure, thus emphasising the front door handle. The final effect is that of a compact 3-door city car with all the comfort of a 5-door model. The convex section of the doors is sculpted by a delicate concave section which fades on the side, dynamically enclosing the sign produced.
Viewed from the side, lastly, you note two dynamically sweeping curves: the first departs from line of the bonnet, sweeps along the waistline and up the rear pillar. The second, climbing from the bottom of the front pillar, traces the upper arch of the glass, intersecting the first curve, rising from the pillar below, and descends to delineate the outer edge of the rear window. The effect of a clear separation between the roof and the rear pillar is a familiar reference to the Lancia Delta.
The general volume of the rear is tapered for improved aerodynamics, featuring a pronounced tailgate, hollowed in the middle: the space obtained accommodates the number plate at the bottom; above this, set like a jewel, is the rear window which is delineated laterally by the lines descending from the pillar arch and from the spoiler above.
The shoulders emerge from the side panels and generate volumes which, running down the sides of the tailgate, link up with and embrace the tail lights. Their external positioning and vertical development, typical of recent Lancias, is emphasised by the layout of the functions: long LED light-guide bars for the sidelights and, below, brake lights; laterally at the bottom, a triangular space houses the indicators.
The bottom part of the bumper has a black centre band which accommodates and protects the reverse light and the rear fog light, lightening the overall volume.
The overall design of the new Ypsilon was conceived right from the outset to separate the various parts of the car in order to favour the two-tone version in the boldest, sleekest and most attractive way possible.
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