Without warning, Lancia unveiled the new Ypsilon electric vehicle, its first new car in nearly a decade. Like the Lancia before it, the Ypsilon defies all conventions with an original and unique exterior, elegant details and a left-handed technique. Interior design.
Ahead of the official reveal on February 14, Lancia gave us a first look at the Edizione Limitata Cassina, a special edition (limited to 1,906 units) created in collaboration with Cassina, a high-end Italian furniture designer. But before we get into that, let’s break down the style and get out.
We wouldn’t possibly describe the Ypsilon as a classic beauty, but it has a lot of character. The rear is adorned with LED taillights inspired by the Lancia Stratos, with the new Lancia logo prominently featured on the tailgate. The ambitious and sublime Italian fashion brands encourage the typeface, which resembles Bulgari’s iconic typeface. It’s a shame that the Coat of Arms logo is nowhere to be found.
We also see hints of the Pu Ra HPE concept car at the rear. The front panel is equally unusual, with Lancia’s nameplate above a visor-like black stripe. Two vertical (very thin) soft stripes run into a shorter horizontal soft stripe. creating a soft and unique signature for Ypsilon. La Zaffino Blue paint is in the special edition.
The main headlights are located on the outer parts of the front bumper and appear bulbous. Overall, it looks more premium than its Stellantis siblings, including the Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa-e. In fact, it beats Lancia’s rebranded Chryslers. It has been forced to sell in recent years.
Inside, the Edizione Limitata Cassina features elegant “cannelloni” design seats, finished in what looks like velvet or Alcantara. The Cassina influence is evident, with a leather-upholstered tray in front of the wireless charger. The big news is the Sound Air Light Augmentation (SALA) infotainment system.
The Ypsilon is the first Stellantis vehicle to use SALA, which the automaker describes as a “cornerstone of Lancia technology. ” The settings are completely customizable and control almost everything from the climate and audio settings to the lighting. The formula is based on widgets and works on two HD touch screens. Lancia claims this promotes a feeling of well-being within the cabin.
Lancia hasn’t provided any major points about transmission or performance, but notes that the Ypsilon can go 250 miles between charges (on the WLTP cycle). That’s pretty much the same as the Fiat 600e or Jeep Avenger EV, either of which shares the fundamental e-GMP percentage with the Ypsilon, but a lot more than the Fiat 500e can offer. Expect the Ypsilon to share its transmission with the aforementioned e-208 and Corsa-e; These models produce 134 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque.
Customers interested in the special edition will need to register for the “1 of 1906” crusade with a non-binding “expression of interest”, allowing Lancia to approach them closer to the on-sale date.