This article in short:

• The Lancia Ypsilon Electric is a compact EV with a range of up to 403 kilometers, based on Stellantis technology.
• Equipment includes luxury options such as velour upholstery, seat heating, and massage functions.
• Performance: 156 hp, economical energy consumption, and a solid driving experience, especially in Sport mode.
• Cons: Limited space in the back and high price compared to competitors.
• Competition comes mainly from the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric and Mini Cooper E.

The brand-new Ypsilon is the first model in a series of completely new Lancias. The larger Delta and Gamma will follow later.

First the new Ypsilon

Lancia returns from (never really) gone. In recent years, the well-groomed Italian brand was only active in its own country, but with success. Because even though the previous generation of the compact Ypsilon (still based on the Fiat Panda) had been around since 2011, the posh little car was still extremely popular.

With the arrival of the new Ypsilon, parent company Stellantis shows that it has the best interests of Lancia at heart: the brand has been reinvented and various new models will be released in the coming years. The basis for this is the new STLA platform, which is offered in multiple (battery) formats and is suitable for multiple forms of propulsion. So not only fully electric but also as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The new compact Ypsilon fires the starting signal for Lancia’s renaissance. The large Gamma and the mid-range Delta will follow later.

More than 400 kilometers

For the Ypsilon, Lancia builds on the technology known from other Stellantis brands. The 4.08-meter-long five-door hatchback is based on the same model as the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa. These two models are still available with the old 136 hp electric motor and 50 kWh battery, the Lancia Ypsilon is offered exclusively with the updated version of this package.

The electric motor delivers a maximum power of 156 hp and the battery is slightly larger with a capacity of 51 kWh: good for a maximum range of 403 kilometers. The Ypsilon can easily compete with important competitors such as the brand-new Renault 5 E-Tech Electric and Mini Cooper E.

In addition to the fully electric version (51 kWh, 156 hp), a hybrid version of the Lancia Ypsilon is also offered.

Historically responsible

If you look through your eyelashes, you will recognize the silhouette of the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa in the Lancia Ypsilon. However, very few sheet metal parts are interchangeable on the outside. The Ypsilon combines sleek elements, such as the expressive front in which the light strips show the new family face of Lancia. The combination of the spoiler-shaped bar and round rear lights is derived from the Stratos, with which Lancia achieved so much success in rallying in the seventies.

On board, you will see various components that are also used by Peugeot and Opel, such as the steering wheel levers and the rocker switches for driving direction and driving programs.

Classic chrome work is missing on the Ypsilon. The T-shaped LED strips, defining Lancia’s new family face, make up for that.

Complete equipment

The dashboard has a new, stylish design, with the instrument cluster reminiscent of a stored book. In the LX version and the top model Edizione Cassina Limitata, which is available for a limited time, the seats are upholstered in beautiful, velvety soft velour. The equipment of Edizione Cassina is completed with, among other things, seat heating and a massage function on the driver’s seat.

Automatic air conditioning, smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and cruise control (adaptive from the LX) are standard on all versions. Prices for the Ypsilon Electric start at 35,400 euros, the tested Edizione Cassina Limitata is listed for 39,500 euros. A hefty sum, but if you were to dress up the competition as richly as the most expensive Ypsilon, then the price is ultimately not too bad.

Especially as Edizione Cassina Limitata, the Lancia Ypsilon offers plenty of luxury. But for that,t you pay almost 40,000 euros …

Full power only in Sport

The 156 hp electric motor can easily handle the weight of the Ypsilon Electric, at 1461 kilos. However, you do have to take action yourself to be able to use the full power of 156 hp, because that is only available in Sport mode. If you choose Normal or Eco, the power is only released when you fully depress the acceleration pedal (kick down).

The drivetrain has already shown several times that the update of a few years ago has had a positive effect on energy consumption. Especially under winter conditions, the WLPT consumption specification and the realistic energy consumption were miles apart. Experience shows that the difference is a lot smaller after the update of the electric motor and the battery pack.

The Drive Mode button allows you to choose between three driving programs: Eco, Normal, and Sport. The available engine power depends on the selected mode.

Economical with energy

During our standard consumption round of 170 kilometers, the temperature display showed 5 degrees Celsius. To bring the battery pack to the optimal operating temperature, plus to get the interior to a comfortable warmth (21 degrees), a lot of energy is required. Nevertheless, the consumption round resulted in a neat average of 16.8 kWh/100 km. Lancia itself gives an average of 14.3 kWh/100 km, and that is certainly approachable under more favorable temperatures.

During a long highway drive from Amsterdam to Nijmegen, with speeds fluctuating around 100 km/h and an outside temperature of around 15 degrees, the onboard computer recorded no more than 13.3 kWh/100 km.

Calculated based on the average value we achieved on our consumption round during a chilly evening, a fully charged 51 kWh battery offers an acceptable range of 305 kilometers.

The Ypsilon comes standard with an 11kW on-board charger, fast charging is possible with a maximum capacity of 100 kW. From 20 to 80 percent ‘state-of-charge’ takes 24 minutes.

No miracles in terms of space should be expected from the Lancia Ypsilon.

No space miracle

To get behind the wheel, you first have to squeeze through a tight doorway. But once you’re seated, you’ll be fine in the soft velvet-covered seat. With such a compact hatchback, you shouldn’t expect too much space, and the Ypsilon is proof of that, especially in the back: only when the front seats are pushed forward a fair bit can an acceptable amount of legroom be created on the back seat.

The boot has a capacity of 309 to 1118 litres. More than enough when you are alone or with two people, but calling the Ypsilon a full-fledged family car is going too far. With this electric version, it is technically not possible to mount a tow bar.

The boot can hold 309 to 1118 liters of luggage. A usable volume for a car of around 4 meters long.

Stable road holding

Driving the Lancia Ypsilon is the same as the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa. Especially in the Sport mode, the car is not driven around by the other traffic; the Ypsilon is fast enough for normal household use.

The chassis is set up quite firmly, but the relative agility has only a limited effect on the ride comfort. The car hardly comes to rest on a less evenly paved road, but it does not hop out of the track.

The steering gives you sufficient feedback and is not so strongly assisted that every breath affects the direction of travel. Even at a cruising speed of 130 km/h, the car has a confident road-holding. The Ypsilon shows that the somewhat older basic platform is not yet at the end of its Latin.

The (pleasant) driving characteristics of the Lancia Ypsilon hardly differ from those of the Opel Corsa and Peugeot 208.

Conclusion

The Lancia Ypsilon is an Opel Corsa or Peugeot 208 that has been covered in a different, richer sauce. The difference is mainly in the design and the furnishing. Although we wish Lancia a golden future, in the Netherlands, where the brand has not been active for a long time, this does not seem to be a solid enough basis for impressive sales results.

You choose the Ypsilon if you want to stand out from the crowd, or if you are a big Lancia fan by tradition. In addition, Lancia’s return and the introduction of the Ypsilon are somewhat unfortunate timing. In the compact EV segment, the new Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is currently taking the wind out of the sails of all its competitors. The Lancia Ypsilon should mainly attract new customers with its design and Italian origins.