La Dolce Vita goes electric - Lancia Ypsilon returns with EV power

Remember the chic Fiat 500? Picture its sophisticated Italian cousin, the Lancia Ypsilon, reborn as a fully electric supermini. Lancia, the iconic Italian brand known for its elegant design and innovative spirit, is back, and the Ypsilon is its spearhead, aiming to conquer European hearts.

The Ypsilon features a 51kWh battery, offering a range of up to 250 miles on a single charge. With 156 horsepower, it can go from 0 to 62 mph in 7.8 seconds. Find a DC charger and you can replenish a 20% battery to 80% capacity in 24 minutes.

For those who prefer a gasoline option, a mild hybrid version with a 100-hp engine and dual-clutch transmission is coming. It’s a temporary step though, as from 2026 Lancia plans to make only electric cars.

A decidedly more exciting version is the upcoming High Fidelity variant - a moniker well associated with the Lancia Delta Integrale HF. With 1.57 inches wider body, 240 horsepower, and 0-62 mph acceleration in 5.8 seconds, this Ypsilon is promising a thrilling dose of Italian performance heritage in an electric package. And if that powertrain already sounds familiar to you, then that’s because Abarth just launched its spiced-up version of the Fiat 600e. After all - Lancia, Fiat, Opel, Peugeot - they all share much more than they’d like you to know.

The Ypsilon oozes Italian flair, featuring a distinctive front fascia with triple-element DRLs and sleek lines that culminate in round taillights reminiscent of the Pu+Ra HPE concept. It's also a subtle homage to Lancia's rich design heritage, evident in the brand's iconic Delta and Fulvia models.

The Ypsilon features a brand-new SALA infotainment system, exclusive to Lancia, with customizable widget-based interface.

You get two 10.25-inch screens, one for the cockpit and one for infotainment. There is also the so called "coffee table" charging pad and Level 2 driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-centering to improve the driving experience.

The Ypsilon boasts wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing seamless smartphone integration without the hassle of cables. The Ypsilon also integrates with the Free2Move Charge ecosystem, making finding and accessing charging stations a breeze.

While the Ypsilon might not be the most technologically advanced car in its segment, its focus on usability, personalization, and a human-centric approach sets it apart. It's a car that embraces technology to enhance the driving experience, not replace it.

The Ypsilon's revival marks a significant step for Lancia, aiming to revitalize the brand and regain its lost European market share. Initially launching in Italy as a limited-edition Cassina model (1,906 units to commemorate the brand's founding year), the Ypsilon will hit select European markets by mid-2024, with prices starting at a rather steep $42,400 (excluding government incentives).

The all-new Ypsilon is just a start for Lancia - next year we’ll see the revived Gamma coming as a sportback built on the STLA Medium platform and promising all-wheel-drive and more powerful motors. But the one we all are waiting for - Delta - will take a bit more patience, Lancia plans to unleash it onto the markets in 2026.

So, is the Ypsilon just another electric car in a crowded market? Not quite. It's a stylish, innovative, and quintessentially Italian statement on wheels, aiming to redefine the supermini segment with a dose of la dolce vita. Its success in capturing the hearts of European drivers and reviving the Lancia brand will depend on the customers though, and their willingness to part with $43,000 for what’s essentially a nicer Peugeot e-208.

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