Is rallying saving Lancia?
A few years ago, not to say a few months, Lancia’s future did not look promising.
Stellantis’s attempts to revive Lancia through Americanized MPVs or luxury models had ended in resounding failures, casting doubt on its future. But today, Lancia seems to have found its path: rallying.
The brand’s return to competition is not ostentatious, but strategic. With the Ypsilon Rally4 HF, Lancia is focusing on customer competition. Equipped with a three-cylinder 1.2 Turbo engine producing 212 horsepower and a five-speed manual gearbox with a mechanical limited-slip differential, this front-wheel drive car appeals to young drivers looking to make a name for themselves. The success of the Trofeo Lancia in Italy, with over 100 cars sold and 40 teams participating, proves that this approach works. Even in France, the Ypsilon Rally4 HF is already showing strong performance in the Coupe de France and the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup.
If it wins in rallying, it must be good
Building on this momentum, Lancia has developed the Ypsilon HF electric, a high-performance road version. Equipped with a 100% electric motor generating 280 horsepower, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, with a range of about 370 km and fast charging that provides 100 km of autonomy in just 10 minutes. Inspired by racing, it features 355 mm Alcon brakes, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and level 2 driving aids. The Lancia HF electric demonstrates that competition can become a technological laboratory and a showcase to attract the general public.
Therefore, rallying is not just a return to Lancia’s sporty essence marked by the Stratos, Beta, and Delta—models that have made history. It is also becoming a source of revenue and brand image. The Italian brand thus illustrates a double genius: rejuvenating its legend and preparing for the future in a context where electric and performance go hand in hand.
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This renaissance will materialize in January 2026 with Lancia’s return to the Monte Carlo Rally through the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale. This model, central to the HF program, aims for more than simple participation: with the new WRC 2027 regulations, where Rally2 will share the top category with WRC, Lancia could legitimately aim for overall victory as early as 2027. Balancing heritage and modernity, rallying does indeed seem to be saving the Italian brand.
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This page is translated from the original post "Est-ce que le rallye est en train de sauver Lancia ?" in French.
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