Lancia is marking 40 years of the Ypsilon, celebrating its legacy as a design-forward, tech-savvy city car that’s remained a standout in Europe since its 1985 debut as the Y10.
Across five generations and 36 special series, the Ypsilon has consistently merged elegance, customization, and innovation, all while staying true to its DNA and evolving with the times.
From introducing the FIRE engine and all-wheel drive to embracing electrification, it’s been a benchmark for compact urban mobility.
READ MORE: Jeep Avenger 4xe Makes Road Debut
Launched at the 1985 Geneva Motor Show, the Y10 stunned with its avant-garde design and upscale features like Alcantara interiors and electric windows—rare in its segment.
By the mid-1990s, the Lancia Y built on that foundation with even bolder design choices, pushing into fashion and art circles and offering unprecedented personalization, including the “Kaleidos” palette of 100 color options.
Each new iteration—from the chic 2003 third-gen Ypsilon to the fashion-forward 2011 version—continued to elevate the compact car’s reputation for luxury and innovation.
In 2009, the EcoChic badge marked its eco-conscious turn, with LPG and CNG variants adding sustainability to the Ypsilon’s style. The model built a close bond with female drivers, earning status as a “fashion city car” that’s just as ready for school runs and shopping trips as it is for stylish city cruising.
Lancia’s creative approach also extended to communication. Iconic ad campaigns, like the “right car for beautiful people,” helped cement the Ypsilon’s cultural presence. Collaborations with high-profile figures and fashion brands—like Alberta Ferretti and Poltrona Frau—only added to its allure.
Now, with the debut of the New Ypsilon, the model kicks off a fresh chapter for Lancia. Offered in electric and hybrid versions, it features class-leading specs like a 10.25″ display, Level 2 autonomous driving (standard on the Cassina trim), and a segment-best lighting and parking system. The SALA interface debuts here as well—an intelligent system designed to streamline in-car controls.
Lancia’s rally heritage returns with the new Ypsilon Rally 4 HF and the upcoming 280-hp Ypsilon HF. Tuned by rally legend Miki Biasion, the Rally 4 HF packs a 212-hp 1.2 Turbo engine, SADEV gearbox, and Michelin racing tires, and is already generating buzz with 80 preorders.
It will star in the Trofeo Lancia within the Italian Rally Championship, offering a €360,000 prize pool and a chance for under-35 drivers to earn a seat with Lancia Corse HF.
With its legacy rooted in elegance, technology, and motorsport success, the Ypsilon continues to define Lancia’s future, blending timeless Italian design with forward-thinking performance and sustainability.
READ MORE: Lancia Takes Waterloo on a Journey Through Time with Historic Showcase
Subscribe today for the freshest car news delivered to your inbox
