Lancia / Chrysler Ypsilon

The Lancia product offensive continues. Following news of the Thema, Grand Voyager, Flavia Concept and Flavia Cabrio Concept comes a first look at the brand new Ypsilon.


Although it has been around in various guises since 1996, the Ypsilon will be unfamiliar to most people in the UK and Ireland, simply because Lancia abandoned those markets years ago.

However, this next generation model is going to be built in right-hand drive form too, albeit badged as a Chrysler.

The Ypsilon’s thing is supermini luxury; rather a small niche, but that theme continues unchanged. Luckily, what has been altered is the awkward styling that blighted previous versions. Sure, it’s still distinctive, but it just works a lot better. And now, for the first time, the Ypsilon is a five-door.


Buyers will be able to choose from three trim levels - Silver, Gold or Platinum - and four engines.

The two petrol options are a 68 bhp (50 kW / 69 PS) 1.2 8V Fire unit, or an 83 bhp (62 kW / 85 PS) 0.9 litre two-cylinder TwinAir motor. Diesel devotees are catered for by a 93 bhp (69 kW / 95 PS) 1.3 MultiJet II turbodiesel engine, and there’s also a dual-fuel version of the 1.2 litre petrol that can run on LPG.

To minimise CO2 emissions and fuel use, all Ypsilons come equipped with a start / stop system, gear shift indicator and Goodyear EfficientGrip low rolling resistance tyres.

After its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show, sales of the Lancia Ypsilon are set to begin in June for key European territories. The Chrysler Ypsilon meanwhile will arrive in British and Irish showrooms from September.

Giving customers peace of mind will be a longer warranty period, up from the usual 36 months to 96 months. Available across the entire Lancia range, the newly lengthened warranty will cover almost everything on the car, and there won’t be any mileage restrictions. It will be offered first in Italy, Portugal and Spain from April onwards, with other European markets adopting it later in 2011.

Related posts:
Chryslers become Lancias
Fiat Freemont unveiled
Journey becomes a Fiat
Fiat 500 TwinAir arrives
No UK return for Lancia
Europeans in Detroit

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