New Chrysler Ypsilon Supermini Makes its Debut in Britain [50 Photos]

The Fiat-Chrysler alliance has said that the two groups will work hand-in-hand towards the development of all future models, with the Italian branch handling the smaller and compact / medium segments and the American, the medium and larger categories.

We'll have to wait to see the first (real) results, but for the time being, the group is making use of one brand's vehicles to supplement the lineup of another brand through the age-old approach of rebadging.

Following the European premieres of the Chrysler 200, 300 and Town & Country with Lancia badges and names, the table has turned around with Chrysler welcoming a Lancia model into its range, the new Ypsilon supermini. But it's not for U.S. consumption.

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Posted on 06.58 / 0 comments / Read More

Lancia Releases More than 70 New Photos of the 2012 Ypsilon

In typical Fiat Group fashion, despite the fact that the new Lancia Ypsilon received its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show close to three months ago, the company waited until today to release a full gallery of pictures. There are more than 70 photographs showing the Italian supermini mostly in its natural habitat, the city. Along with the new images, Lancia also offered new information on its entry-level model, which will be launched from June in major European markets and from September in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it will wear the Chrysler logo. Read more »

Posted on 06.16 / 0 comments / Read More

Chrysler CEO Says Lancia Ypsilon Not Coming to the U.S. After All, while Compact Model is “Under Review”

Back in 2009, the Fiat and Chrysler alliance had revealed plans for the U.S. launch of a compact model based on the Lancia Delta in 2012 and a Chrysler-badged version of the Lancia Ypsilon in 2013.

Now it seems that the automaker has changed its strategy. At the New York Auto Show, Chrysler and Lancia brand president Olivier Francois told Car&Driver that the Ypsilon-based Chrysler model is dead for the U.S. as the company believes it is too similar with the Fiat 500, upon which the Lancia subcompact is based on, and could hurt its sales.

For the record, during a recent press event in Turin, Italy, a Lancia official told autoscardesign that the Ypsilon U.S. launch would largely depend on the market's response to the Fiat 500.

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Posted on 11.17 / 0 comments / Read More

Lancia Opens Order Book for Ypsilon, Prices Start at €12,400 ($17,890) in Italy

Starting from today, the all-new Lancia Ypsilon is available for order in Italy with first deliveries scheduled for June in major European markets and September for the Chrysler badged model that will be offered in the UK and Ireland.

Available for the first time in a five-door body style, the fourth generation Ypsilon will be offered in three trim levels (Silver, Gold and Platinum), 17 body colors (four of which are two-tone schemes), six different upholsteries, three types of alloy wheels and three engine choices. All of these options will allow for a total of 600 different model combos.

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Posted on 14.53 / 0 comments / Read More

Lancia’s Glitzy Ypsilon Promotional Videos

Lancia has released new videos of its 2012 Ypsilon, the posh supermini that made its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week alongside the subtly revised Delta and the Chrysler-sourced Thema sedan, Grand Voyager MPV, and Fulvia Saloon and Convertible (the last two shown as concepts).

The videos clearly link the new Ypsilon to fashion and luxury, essentially building on the image created by the supermini’s predecessors. Although the outgoing Ypsilon was perceived more of a lady’s car, the automaker wants to send the message that its successor targets both hairdressers male and female buyers.

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Posted on 08.31 / 0 comments / Read More

Lancia Could Sell the Ypsilon and Delta in the U.S., Has No Plans to Revive HF Integrale or Fulvia

When announcing the new Ypsilon’s key role in Lancia’s turnaround strategy at a press event autoscardesign attended in Turin, Italy, earlier this week, company officials told us that the small car could be sold in the States under the Chrysler brand if American buyers will show enough interest towards the recently launched U.S.-spec Fiat 500. Furthermore, the same could happen with the Delta.

On the other hand, Lancia's people told us the company has no plans to revive famous nameplates such as the HF Integrale and Fulvia, simply stating that there’s no market for Lancia sports cars.

Although in its current state, the new Ypsilon doesn’t comply with U.S. standards, Lancia Product Manager Claudio Nervi told us that it could be “easily federalized” and that logistically “it's not a problem, as the Ypsilon could be produced at the [Fiat Group’s] Mexican plant”. However, Nervi also pointed out the decision depends “on the performance of the Fiat 500 in the US”.

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Posted on 14.17 / 0 comments / Read More

New Lancia Ypsilon Given a Key Role in the Italian Brand’s Revitalization Plan

The upcoming 2011 Geneva Salon will probably be the most important motor show in Lancia’s recent history, as the Italian brand is trying to start off its revitalization plan with a push of new models. However, the recently unveiled Flavia and Thema sedans and Grand Voyager MPV didn’t quite catch the public’s eye due to the fact that they’re all rebadged Chryslers, while the Delta hatchback hasn't even come close in repeating the first generation model's success.

This leaves the new Ypsilon to fend for the 105-year old company’s honor. The Italian firm's new small car is considered to be a “pocket flagship” and has been given a key role in Lancia's turnaround strategy, thoroughly emphasized during a press event that autoscardesign was invited to attend at the Fiat Group’s Centro Stile design center in Turin, Italy.

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Posted on 17.01 / 0 comments / Read More

Lancia Lifts the Wraps off All-New Ypsilon Ahead of the Geneva Salon

Marking the 25th anniversary since the introduction of the Ypsilon (first as the Y10 in 1985, then as the Y in 1996, and finally as the Ypsilon from 2003 and onwards), Lancia is presenting the fourth generation of its luxed-up supermini in a world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The much delayed successor to the outgoing Ypsilon, which has been in production since 2003, has been designed from the ground up, and for the first time in the model's history, is offered in a five-door body style.

Even though the Ypsilon shares its platform and mechanical hardware with Fiat's small cars, the Lancia model won't be mistaken for anything else thanks to the bespoke styling, which incorporates a number of design cues from the larger Delta. Exterior highlights include the hidden rear door handles that give the impression of a three-door model and a new interpretation of Lancia's grille, designed to match Chrysler's version as seen on the 200 and 300 models.

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Posted on 15.31 / 0 comments / Read More

All-New Lancia Ypsilon to Wear Chrysler's Badge in the UK and Ireland

It's no secret that after many years of delays and setbacks, the Fiat Group will finally present the Lancia Ypsilon's replacement at the Geneva Salon in about two week from now. What isn't known is that the new Ypsilon, which will be offered for the first time ever in a five-door body style, will be sold in Great Britain and Ireland under the Chrysler badge.

Back in 2008, Fiat canned its plans to reintroduce the Lancia brand to the UK and other right-hand drive markets citing the global economic crisis as the main reason. But after the Italian firm forged an alliance with the Chrysler Group in 2010, the group's CEO Sergio Marchionne took the decision to merge the Lancia and Chrysler brands, and create a single full-line brand with different names from market to market.

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Posted on 09.27 / 0 comments / Read More

Lancia Ypsilon 'Collection 2011' Flies to Los Angeles for Promo Shoot

The Fiat Group is trying to make the best of its newly found contacts in the U.S. after its partnership with Chrysler LLC as the Italian automaker chose the city of Los Angeles to shoot the promotional photos as well as a new TV spot for its limited edition Lancia Ypsilon 'Collection 2011', which goes on sale in Europe this month. The special edition version of the ageing Ypsilon adds some unique styling touches such as bespoke color options for the body work and cabin trim, plus an upgraded interior with new fabrics and leather surfaces with contrast piping.

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Posted on 08.59 / 0 comments / Read More

Lancia's 2011 New Year Greeting Card Teases 2012 Ypsilon, Announces Two More New Models

In a surprise move, Lancia literally outlined its forthcoming 2012 Ypsilon supermini through an animated New Year's greeting card posted on a special minisite. And if that's not enough news for you, the chalk-like drawings were accompanied by a teaser message that reads, "A new horizon, three new Lancia models".

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Posted on 14.49 / 0 comments / Read More

Report: Lancia's Chrysler 300-Based Thema and Ypsilon Replacement with 5-doors on their Way

Rumors about a possible successor for the Lancia Thesis, based on the Chrysler’s 300C, have been making the internet rounds for quite some time now, without coming to fruition. Nevertheless, Automotive News is reporting that Fiat is determined to go ahead and reveal the car. Inside sources told the news site that the car will most likely be called Thema, a nameplate that was used for Lancia's flagship sedan in the mid-'80s to mid-'90s. The new sedan model is said to debut at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show, alongside the next generation of the Ypsilon supermini.

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Posted on 14.47 / 0 comments / Read More

Fiat Panda and Lancia Ypsilon Replacements Pushed Back for 2012

Following CEO Sergio Marchionne's comments at the 2010 Paris Motor Show (see here), Autonews Europe has uncovered new information regarding the Fiat Group's future product launches.

One of Fiat's most important models in Europe, the third generation Panda, was originally due in summer 2010 but its launch had already been pushed back to September 2011. Now, sources inside the company told the news site that the introduction of the small five-door hatchback will be further delayed until January 2012.

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Posted on 11.29 / 0 comments / Read More

2010 Lancia Ypsilon: Artist's Impression of Next Generation Premium Supermini

According to the Fiat Group's product plan, we're supposed to see the new Lancia Ypsilon making its world debut sometime this year but we wouldn't be at all surprised if the Italians have pushed the launch date of the premium supermini back to 2010. But just to get an idea of what the Ypsilon's replacement may look like when it hits European showrooms in 2010, here's a speculative artist's impression of the supermini that was published on Motorionline.

There's no way of being sure about the accuracy of the CGI that blends styling elements from the current Ypsilon and the new Delta hatchback, but we do know that the luxury supermini will share its underpinnings with the Fiat Grande Punto and the Alfa Romeo MiTo hatchbacks.

The engine range will also be common with other models of the Italian group, so buyers can expect to see the 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol as well as new Multijet diesel powerplants.

As with the previous Ypsilon models, the Lancia will feature higher-quality cabin trim and materials with customers being offered a variety of options to personalize their car.

Photos & Link: Motorionline

Posted on 07.14 / 0 comments / Read More

Lancia Ypsilon VERSUS to make Paris Show Debut

In its constant quest to forget its glorious rally past, Lanica has joined forces with Versus, a Versace Group owned brand, to create a special edition version of its Ypsilon supermini that will be produced from March 2009 in a limited edition series of just 500 units. The Paris Show car features a special ‘Bronzino’ bronze exterior paintwork that that bears a screen-printed ‘Versus’ logo on the roof. Other unique features of the exterior are the bronze-colored 16-inch alloy wheels and the bronze finish on the grille, handles and mouldings on the doors and rear bumpers and tailgate handle. -Continued

Not surprisingly, the interior boasts a special upholstery with a ‘Versus’ logo heat-printed in relief that recalls the world of fashion wile the head restraints, the dashboard and the door panels are adorned with an embossed VERSUS logo. Finally, the detailing on the instrument panel, sill plate and gearbox have the same bronze chrome finish as the exterior features.

Posted on 05.14 / 0 comments / Read More