Lancia has (sort of) embraced electrification already by installing a mild-hybrid powertrain in the Ypsilon a little over a year ago. The aging supermini has been around since 2011, and even though it has received two facelifts, it’s still very much showing its age inside and out compared to other small hatchbacks. The good news is Automotive News Europe has learned from sources close to the troubled Italian marque that a direct replacement is coming.
A completely new small hatch will allegedly arrive in mid-2024 and has already been approved by Lancia’s management. It’s said to go down in history as the first model from the brand to be offered as an EV, but a gasoline version is said to be in the works as well to broaden its appeal. Other details are shrouded in mystery for now, but it seems highly probable the Ypsilon successor will be mechanically related to other small Stellantis vehicles and these might even share the same production facility.
Automotive News Europe goes on to say Lancia also has plans for a second model, a compact crossover earmarked for a Q1 2026 release. Unlike the small hatchback which will also be offered with a gas engine, the high-riding model is rumored to come exclusively with electric power. This one too has already been approved by company executives and will soon enter the development phase.
Lancia is also analyzing the prospects of a compact hatchback that would be positioned above the Ypsilon replacement. However, nothing is set in stone for the time being as the project hasn’t been approved yet because the company is unsure there would be enough demand for it. If approved, it’s scheduled to go on sale by late 2027 and will likely be a hybrid or an EV.
Parent company Stellantis has promised a 10-year investment in Lancia to revive the company, which is currently limited to selling the Ypsilon at home in Italy. These new products would extend the firm’s footprint in Europe in its attempt to bring Lancia to its former glory.
Source: Automotive News Europe
