Lancia / Chrysler Ypsilon

The Lancia product offensive continues. Following news of the Thema, Grand Voyager, Flavia Concept and Flavia Cabrio Concept comes a first look at the brand new Ypsilon.

Although it has been around in various guises since 1996, the Ypsilon will be unfamiliar to most people in the UK and Ireland, simply because Lancia abandoned those markets years ago.



However, this next generation model is going to be built in right-hand drive form too, albeit badged as a Chrysler.



The Ypsilon’s thing is supermini luxury; rather a small niche, but that theme continues unchanged. Luckily, what has been altered is the awkward styling that blighted previous versions. Sure, it’s still distinctive, but it just works a lot better. And now, for the first time, the Ypsilon is a five-door.

Buyers will be able to choose from three trim levels - Silver, Gold or Platinum - and four engines.



The two petrol options are a 68 bhp (50 kW / 69 PS) 1.2 8V Fire unit, or an 83 bhp (62 kW / 85 PS) 0.9 litre two-cylinder TwinAir motor. Diesel devotees are catered for by a 93 bhp (69 kW / 95 PS) 1.3 MultiJet II turbodiesel engine, and there’s also a dual-fuel version of the 1.2 litre petrol that can run on LPG.



To minimise CO2 emissions and fuel use, all Ypsilons come equipped with a start / stop system, gear shift indicator and Goodyear EfficientGrip low rolling resistance tyres.



After its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show, sales of the Lancia Ypsilon are set to begin in June for key European territories. The Chrysler Ypsilon meanwhile will arrive in British and Irish showrooms from September.



Giving customers peace of mind will be a longer warranty period, up from the usual 36 months to 96 months. Available across the entire Lancia range, the newly lengthened warranty will cover almost everything on the car, and there won’t be any mileage restrictions. It will be offered first in Italy, Portugal and Spain from April onwards, with other European markets adopting it later in 2011.



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No UK return for Lancia

Europeans in Detroit

Chryslers become Lancias

It might upset some Lancia traditionalists, but the marque’s initial Chrysler-based models have been revealed ahead of their debuts at the Geneva International Motor Show.



First up is the Thema, which is a badge-engineered Chrysler 300.

Resurrecting the Thema name - last used in the mid-1990s - this new edition focuses on comfort and luxury. For example, Lancia is claiming best-in-class noise levels, thanks to various acoustic panels and laminated glass all round. Recent Chrysler interiors haven’t been the brand’s strong point, but the Thema’s cabin is said to feature soft-touch materials, redesigned seats, wood trim inserts and optional leather upholstery.



Available in either Gold or Platinum specifications, both come with Uconnect telematics as standard. Based around an 8.4” touch screen, the system controls climate control, telephone and audio functions, as well as the Garmin satellite navigation that is included with the Platinum version.



Of course, being a reworked Chrysler 300 means the Thema is rear-wheel drive, a factor that will better equip it to compete with the established rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar.



Three engine choices are on offer. For petrol fans there’s the Chrysler Pentastar 3.6 litre V6 which produces 292 bhp (218 kW / 296 PS) and 353 Nm (260 lb/ft) of torque. Connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, it’ll accelerate the Thema from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.2 seconds, before taking it up to a top speed of 142 mph (230 km/h). Combined cycle consumption isn’t too bad at 34.0 mpg (8.3 l/100km), while CO2 emissions are 199 g/km.



However, the majority of buyers will probably opt for either of the two diesels. Both are VM 3.0 litre V6 units and are paired with a five-speed automatic gearbox. The difference is in their outputs, with one generating 187 bhp (139 kW / 190 PS) while the other has 220 bhp (164 kW / 224 PS).



Sales of the new Lancia Thema are due to begin in October across continental Europe. The Chrysler nameplate remains for the UK and Ireland, though.



Replacing the aged Phedra MPV is the Lancia Grand Voyager. Based on the Chrysler Grand Voyager (otherwise known as the Town & Country in North America), the lack of a name change highlights what little alterations have been applied during its metamorphosis into a Lancia.

Available in Silver, Gold or Platinum trim levels, specification includes the Uconnect system, a nine speaker audio set-up and a rear reversing camera.



The existing 2.8 litre common rail diesel from the Chrysler Grand Voyager is carried over. With 161 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 360 Nm (265 lb/ft) of torque, combined cycle consumption is 33.6 mpg (8.4 l/100km) while CO2 emissions are 227 g/km. As would be expected, performance is respectable rather than electrifying, with a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 12.8 seconds and a 115 mph (185 km/h) top speed.



Alternatively, a 3.6 litre V6 petrol engine will be offered. Delivering 279 bhp (208 kW / 283 PS), it comes with a six-speed automatic transmission as standard. Naturally, fuel economy is considerably worse than the diesel option manages, averaging just 22.9 mpg (12.3 l/100km).



Finally - for now at least - are the Flavia Concept and Flavia Cabrio Concept. Essentially just a pair of rebadged Chrysler 200 models, Lancia is saying both could have European launches within six months - a timescale that doesn’t seem overly ambitious. After all, how long does it take to swap over the front grille and lights?

Related posts:

Fiat Freemont unveiled

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No UK return for Lancia

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No UK return for Lancia

First of all, Lancia had intended a return to the UK market in Summer 2008, spearheaded by the then new Delta. That plan was delayed for a year because the dealer network wasn’t ready, and the company recognised it also needed a second model for those dealers to sell.

Then the brand’s re-launch was postponed indefinitely, a victim of the prevailing tough economic conditions.



Now, following the presentation of Fiat Group Automobile’s 2010-2014 Business Plan, it seems almost certain that Lancia will never return to the UK.



That’s because the Chrysler and Lancia ranges are to be fully integrated in Europe, a consequence of Fiat taking a 20% stake in Chrysler back in June 2009. It has also been decided that all of the unified range will be branded Lancia in continental Europe, while the Chrysler badge will be used for the UK and Ireland.



As well as the Delta, the Lancia line-up currently consists of the Ypsilon supermini, Musa small MPV and Phedra MPV (part of the Citroen C8, Fiat Ulysse and Peugeot 807 family).

Chrysler meanwhile only sells the 300C saloon and Grand Voyager MPV in the UK at present, the PT Cruiser and slow-selling Sebring no longer being offered.

The combined range will look like this:

• Ypsilon continues, with an all-new five door model scheduled for 2011.


• Delta remains in production, but will be joined in 2012 by a new-model compact saloon and station wagon.


• Musa will remain on sale until 2012, with no replacement planned.


• Phedra is to be phased out during 2010.


• 300C will be replaced by a new version in 2011.


• Grand Voyager remains on sale, to be replaced in 2014.


• 2013 will see the introduction of a large saloon (primarily for North America) and a crossover model.

Fiat has set a target of 295,000 Chrysler / Lancia sales across Europe in 2014, to be handled by over 1,000 dealers.

Europeans in Detroit

Interesting to see a couple of re-badged European cars on display at the 2010 Detroit show earlier this month.



Following its takeover by Fiat, Chrysler clearly couldn’t be bothered to do too much with the Lancia Delta, not even going to the trouble of changing its model name. A minor tweak to the grille seemed to be enough.



The Chrysler Delta.  Or is it?

Buick meanwhile appeared to make a bit more of an effort with the Regal, its version of the Vauxhall / Opel Insignia. The GS shown featured a 252 bhp four cylinder turbo engine. Not quite the 321 bhp that the six cylinder Insignia VXR / OPC has, but it should still be rather quick, with a 0 - 60 mph time below six seconds.