Is Sports or Death for Lancia?

Is the new Lancia Ypsilon HF equipped with a 100% electric 280 horsepower engine THE solution?

Lancia is about to write a new chapter in its history by making its official return to rallying with the Ypsilon Rally 4 HF. A humble comeback since this model is aimed at customer racing. It features a 1.2 Turbo three-cylinder engine with 212 horsepower and a 5-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip mechanical differential. The front-wheel-drive configuration ensures agility and high performance, making it the ideal car for young drivers looking to make a name for themselves. A first step for the champions of tomorrow.

Building on this competitive commitment, the Italian brand offers the Ypsilon HF. This is the high-performance road version equipped with a 280-horsepower 100% electric motor. Yes, Lancia competes with an internal combustion engine and tries to attract the general public with an electric powertrain… What a strange era! But unlike the rest of the Ypsilon lineup, which leaves us cold and uninteresting, this version is not lacking in appeal with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, a lowered suspension, and widened tracks.

In recent years, Lancia has attempted to produce budget-friendly cars, without success. Minivans, without success. Luxury cars, without success. A series of failures that nearly led the manufacturer to the brink of oblivion. But Lancia is never as strong as when it’s involved in sports. Stratos, Beta, Delta — so many names that resonate with racing enthusiasts. So why not follow this path again? Sadly, the next revival of the Gamma will not go in this direction. Pity.

READ ALSO: Lancia continues its electric ranges by relaunching the Gamma