Stellantis has revived the legendary Lancia HF badge with the new electric Lancia Ypsilon HF. Can a new electric experience revive a dormant brand with a legendary memory of the past.
When FCA and PSA merged to form Stellantis, car enthusiasts held their breath – would Lancia finally rise from the ashes? The answer is: yes, and with style! Get ready for Lancia Ypsilon HF, a hot electric supermini that dares to dream of its rally past. Yes, Lancia is back with a bang, and an electric one at that!
An electric future with HF power
For the first time in history, the Lancia HF is fully electric, which is probably something that Enzo Ferrari would call "heretical". But times change and so does Lancia. The Ypsilon HF boasts 237 horsepower (177 kW) from its front-mounted engine, making it the perfect little devil for the city streets. If that sounds like an Abarth 600e or an Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, you're right - they all use the same modular platform (CMF) as the Jeep Avenger.
The electric motor draws energy from a 54 kWh battery pack inherited from the Alfa Romeo and Abarth models. The Lancia boasts a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 5.8 seconds, which is almost as fast as a teenager running from Mr. Principal down the school corridor. In addition to the upgraded electric motor, the Ypsilon HF has a wider track and lowered suspension for better handling - and to make it look even cooler in the parking lot in front of your favorite coffee shop.
Today's debut is a technical preview, as the hot supermini won't be available in Europe until May 2025. Lancia promises that all future models will get the High-Fidelity treatment, including the revival of the Gamma and Delta models that will hit the market later this decade. Sounds promising, right?
The baby elephant: a symbol of heritage
Lancia is not only coming back with a car, but also with history. The little elephant, first used in 1960 when the owners started the club, reserved only for people who owned at least six cars. HF Lancia Racing Team was created in 1963, but the first car with the legendary logo - the Fulvia Coupe HF - did not hit the market until 1966.
Rally icons such as the Stratos HF and Delta HF Integrale Evolution wore the little elephant during Lancia's heyday. According to legend, the logo design was chosen back in 1953 as the lucky charm of Gianni, son of founder Vincenzo Lancia and director of the car company between 1949 and 1955. Gianni must have known what he was doing - the elephant was obviously lucky!
Return to the rally world
The Ypsilon HF is not the only star - along with it comes the Ypsilon Rally 4 HF. Unlike the electric road car, the motorsport version uses a turbo petrol engine. It is a three-cylinder, 1.2-liter engine with 209 horsepower (156 kW). As the car's name suggests, it was developed in accordance with the FIA Group Rally4 regulations.
Lancia's return to rally racing after a long break is big news. The Ypsilon Rally 4 HF has a five-speed gearbox with a mechanical differential lock. It looks quite similar to a road car as regulations require it to be based on a production vehicle. Group Rally4 was created in 2019 and is derived from the R2 class of Group R cars. So if you want the rally experience, but without burning holes in your wallet, this is the place to go!
Conclusion: The rebirth of an icon
Lancia Ypsilon HF it's more than just a new model – it's a symbol of the rebirth of an icon that combines heritage with an electric future. Electric motors, high performance and modern technology combine the best of both worlds. The return of the HF badge and the rally participation show that Lancia has not forgotten its roots.
Although the Ypsilon HF will not go on sale for some time, it will be interesting to see how the market will accept this revived legend. If Lancia continues in this direction, there are exciting times ahead for car lovers. We can only hope that the little elephant will roar along the roads and racetracks for a long time.
Let it be Lancia Ypsilon HF a symbol of hope that even the oldest car brands can rise again and conquer the roads - this time in an electric and ecologically friendly way. Fasten your seat belts, the future is bright and full of electricity!
