Lancia revives the custom of holding the world previews of its new products in Geneva. After the Thesis in 2001, the Phedra in 2002, the Ypsilon in 2003 and the Musa in 2004, today it is the turn of the Ypsilon Sport, a concept car developed jointly with Zagato, the famous Milan Style Centre, that has 'dressed' numerous Lancias in the past.

An expression of power and sportiness, the new car marks Lancia's return to a field in which it has always been a leading player, writing important pages of motoring history. This is why the stand for the Geneva Motor Show returns to the themes of sportiness and technology, which it interprets alongside the concepts of Italian elegance and hospitality: the distinguishing features that have always been part of the Lancia heritage. As a result, we can divide the Lancia stand into two different areas: on one side, the world of the two-tone cars that epitomise the brand's traditional elegance; and on the other the technical excellence and performance represented by the current range and by the Ypsilon Sport.

In both areas, refined, stylish materials, such as walnut wood, marble and Wenghe wood, convey an elegant, sophisticated luxury that is never overstated. The whole setting is made more 'technological' and projected into the future by two large LED screens which cover part of the Lancia building.

The new structure is built on two levels, both of which are visible because the cube that extends over the stand is transparent: on the ground floor is the Lancia boutique, which has been left visible from outside so as to capture people's attention with items of pure Italian class, and the Water Bar where visitors can quench their thirst, choosing from a range of over fifty types of bottled water. The stairs give access to a private upper area which offers a view of the stand and particularly of the car designed by Zagato.

The Ypsilon Sport prototype is the centre of attraction of the display; it stands on a circular glass and metal pedestal, an object of great visual impact that exudes technology. The two themes expressed in the display area are in fact 'sportiness' and 'technology', embodied in the glass case containing the 70 bhp 1.3 Multijet engine, a true revolution in the engine world. Four cars, representing the entire Lancia range, are displayed on the marble floor: they all have black paintwork, a sporty but elegant colour that sets off the original 'livery' of the Ypsilon Sport.

First of all, the Lancia Musa, the model that communicates the concept of 'Italian hospitality', where we are guests and not passengers. The version presented in Geneva sports the Platino outfit and is equipped with the sparkling 95 bhp 1.4 16v engine and the 'Dolce Far Niente' robotised transmission; it invites us to share the pleasure of travelling in a car that is unique in its segment. It is certainly a luxury product, but it never overdoes things because it was designed to reflect the wishes of people who like to enjoy life without forgoing practicalities. The Lancia Musa introduces the secrets of Italian hospitality to the car world; it is a car that welcomes its guests with good taste, warmth and generosity.

The Lancia Musa conveys good taste in its refined, harmonious lines, elegantly matching warm colours, precious details (like the grille and two-tone wheel rims), and quality materials (leather combined with microfibre). Its size is just as suitable around town or on long journeys: 3.98 metres long, 1.70 metres wide and 1.66 metres high, setting new standards in this particular compact car bracket.

The Lancia Musa conveys warmth in the sensations it offers its guests: the luminosity of the 'GranLuce' sunroof and the airy interior, the pleasant surfaces and the enveloping comfort of the ergonomic seats. The dual zone climate system and Bose Sound System (typical equipment on a Lancia) make the interior space particularly enjoyable, and one that you dominate better thanks to the raised driving position, the ergonomic controls and the versatile seats, which can be moved into 32 different positions (including an unusual 'chaise longue' configuration).

The Lancia Musa conveys generosity with its technological features: engines that guarantee excellent performance, for relaxed, carefree driving. Two Multijet diesel units: the 100 bhp 1.9 which is round and elastic, ideal in any situation and the 70 bhp 1.3, which is perfect for the town, combined with the 'Dolce Far Niente' robotised sequential transmission. Motorists who travel shorter distances will enjoy the sparkling 95 bhp 1.4 Fire engine. We find the same generosity in the vast, comprehensive array of standard equipment (the Platino outfit includes the 'GranLuce' sunroof, leather and microfibre upholstery, radio-CD player and alloys) and in the 'Parure Lancia' Warranty, the exclusive package that extends the contract warranty up to five years from registration or to a maximum of 120,000 km.

Travelling in the Lancia Musa is a warm, reassuring, enjoyable experience, which underlines the pleasure of a life made of good taste and well-being. And the name Musa reflects this concept: a classical name that evokes art and creativity. Even the graphical elements have a strong link with the car: the design of the letter 'M' recalls a chaise longue, a symbol of comfort and relaxation.

Next to the Musa we find the other star of the stand, the Lancia Ypsilon, exhibited in its more lavish specification (Platino) and powered by the brilliant 95 bhp 1.4 Fire engine. After a year of success with the public and the critics - during which it has been awarded the 'European Automotive Design Award' in Brussels, the 'Car I prefer in 2004' title by the readers of Quattroruote and that of the 'Most beautiful car in the world' by a jury of design experts - the Lancia Ypsilon confirms that it is the ideal car for a sophisticated clientele, always looking for unique products. This clientele is immediately attracted to the model by its original styling which is perfectly in line with those modern design trends that favour a softer, more sensual line. The interior greets passengers and driver in a welcoming environment, but the passenger compartment is also functional and modern, guaranteeing the utmost comfort at all times.

Sensations that are enhanced by the great care that goes into every detail, the luxurious materials used, worthy of a luxury car, and the refined, elegant colour combinations between the shades of the bodywork and the upholstery. Unique features for a car from this segment. Even the 'Ypsilon' logo is a designer signature.

From the styling to the mechanicals. The Lancia Ypsilon proposes the best that modern engineering can offer where engines and transmissions are concerned. Of course, the model's great on-road characteristics, its predictable behaviour and easy, enjoyable driving are also due to the performance of a 'power pack' that is on the cutting edge for a city car. There is a choice of four engines. The first two are the tried and tested 60 bhp 1.2 and 80 bhp 1.2 16v, which deliver outstanding torque and smooth running in spite of a relatively small size. The other two are: the brilliant 95 bhp 1.4 16v and the revolutionary 70 bhp 1.3 16v Multijet, both of which can be combined with a manual gearbox or a sequential robotised device known as the 'Dolce Far Niente'.

And finally, it is not exaggerated to say that everyone will find the Lancia Ypsilon to meet his needs and tastes. The new family comes in four different specifications (Ypsilon, Argento, Oro and Platino) and it is one of the most comprehensive in this segment. This is partly due to the fact that there are no less than 555 ways of customising this 'pocket flagship': by combining eleven body colours, six different types of upholstery (in eight different shades) and five types of alloy wheels (including those from the Lineaccessori). Whatever your choice and the level of customisation you prefer, the Lancia Ypsilon is always fascinating and original, personifying Italian good taste that is famous the world over.

The two Lancia flagships, the Phedra and the Thesis, could not be absent from the Geneva stand, and they are both exhibited in the most prestigious outfit (Emblema). A Lancia Phedra 3.0 V6 24v CAE, the expression of the Italian art of living, is exhibited in this same area of the stand. The model has a hushed interior, which is pleasant to look at and to touch; great care has gone into every detail and the effect is one of an ambience designed for enjoyable social relations. It is equipped with a range of safety, comfort and telematic devices that place it at the top of its class.

From this year, two new bodywork colours are available: exclusive Rossini Grey and Brunelleschi Pearl, a light pearl that is nonetheless warm and sophisticated. Plenty of comfort and stylistic refinement, obviously, but also class-beating performance.
 

Thanks to the four engines on offer: they start from the 136 bhp 2.0 16v petrol engine and the 108 bhp 2.0 JTD 16v, which combine excellent performance and low running costs. The other engines in the range are the 128 bhp 2.2 JTD 16v, a particularly lively turbodiesel which guarantees entertaining driving in all situations, and the superb 6-cylinder, 204 bhp 24v 3-litre engine, with a self-adaptive, sequential automatic transmission. This unit is capable of amazing performance, and a top speed of over 200 km/h, but with the quiet operation of a 6-cylinder engine, smoothness and strong acceleration guaranteed by generous torque, as well as outstanding comfort and enjoyable driving.

Next to the Lancia Phedra, visitors can admire the Thesis Emblema 3.2 24v V6 with 'Comfortronic' transmission, a great saloon that focuses on elegance and cutting edge technology, to appeal to the motoring elite. This is a particular segment with a small number of models on which the most important carmakers concentrate the best that automotive engineering offers today. In addition to the 3.2 24v V6, another engine was introduced in 2003, the 175 bhp 2.4 JTD 20v, which is one of the second generation of common rail direct injection diesels, the Multijet engines, and it is available with a five-speed automatic transmission or a manual six-speed gearbox. Two powerful, smooth engines for which the sophisticated five-speed automatic transmission was recalibrated, to guarantee 'smoother' gear changes and a significant increase in driving comfort. And finally a 40.7 kgm six-speed mechanical gearbox replaces the present gearbox, being better suited to the higher torque delivered by the 2.4 JTD 20v. This unit is more compact and has three axes, a synchronised reverse, and a clutch with automatic wear adjustment.

These are the novelties in the range. However, all the strong points of the Lancia flagship remain firmly in place: the lavish array of standard safety equipment, the luxurious interior, which is spacious and protective, the sophisticated CONNECT info-telematic system and the seats which represent the state of the art where comfort and ergonomics are concerned. On the optional 'comfort' version the seats are fitted with soft nappa leather upholstery by Poltrona Frau.

The second area of the Geneva stand is dedicated to the two-tone world. The first car visitors see on the catwalk, sporting a two-tone 'livery' (ivory and blue) is an elegant 1933 Lancia Astura Double Phaeton 'Castagna', the only car in the world to win the famous 'Villa d'Este Gold Cup' twice, in 1933 and 2004. The 75th edition of the beauty contest for car design, held at Villa d'Este (Cernobbio) paid homage to one of the most fascinating cars of international motoring history. Commissioned by an American customer from the Castagna bodyworks - it is thought to have been a gift to her husband from the famous tobacco heiress Barbara Hutton - the car was based on the second Astura series, but because it was delivered early in 1934, it already included the changes introduced on the third series. The Lancia Astura Double Phaeton 'Castagna' was in Washington D.C. during the Second World War, and it remained in the United States until 1983, when it returned to Italy.

In 1996 the car was purchased by Guido Lamperti, a member of the Italian Historical Lancia Club and curator of the Historical Register.

We remind you that the splendid car on show in Geneva was derived from the Astura model (named after a castle near Nettuno), of which four series and 2,911 cars were built between 1931 and 1939. At its launch, the model was powered by a narrow V-8 (19°) 2,604 cc engine that delivered 73 bhp at 4000 rpm, and had a top speed of 125 km/h. In 1934, for the third series, the engine size increased to 2,972 cc and 82 bhp, and two versions were available: the 233L, with a long 3,332 mm wheelbase, and the 233C with a short wheelbase of 3,100 mm. And because of its roadholding and handling, the Astura was also used for motor racing: at the 1934 Giro d'Italia it took the first two places overall. The chassis was of the 'spider' type made of boxed sheet metal, onto which the engine was attached elastically by two short leaf springs: a Lancia patent which eliminated engine vibration almost entirely. Stylistic elegance and mechanical innovation were already embodied in the Lancia Astura Double Phaeton 'Castagna', a combination that is shared by the many 'four-wheeled' works of art designed by Lancia.

(Vincenzo Lancia (1881-1937) will be remembered in particular during the Geneva Motor Show this year because he will join the pages of the European Automotive Hall of Fame, with three other pioneer carmakers. It is a prestigious register, created by the magazine Automotive News, which includes the names of the most important and famous businessmen, engineers and designers who have contributed to the progress of the motor industry. A tangible sign of how the founder's passion and skill are still admired in the world today. Lancia is also exhibiting a unique version of the Lancia Musa 'b-colore' that reiterates this 'vintage' context.

Elegance, refinement and originality are the words that link the harmony of forms with attention to detail, and this is the inspiration behind this exclusive version of the Lancia Musa. Compared to the standard production models, this version has an additional touch of originality and class. An extremely clean, harmonious line that is set off by the two-tone bodywork: metallescent Tintoretto Bordeaux (one of the loveliest colours in the range), combined with a shiny, lacquered-effect black, and a diamond finish on the alloy wheels. The interior is furnished with the same refinement and exclusiveness that are synonymous with the best Lancia tradition; a stylish lounge upholstered in hand-crafted ivory leather on the seats and the door panels. And the cushions and the central panel of the squab are decorated with Bordeaux leather ribbons, a feature borrowed from the furniture industry, with a 'wide rib' quilting effect, that matches the exterior colour.

Beside this 'automotive jewel', Lancia proposes two Lancia Ypsilon 'b-colore', both in the Argento specification and equipped with the 'Dolce Far Niente' gearbox. The first, powered by the brilliant 70 bhp 1.3 Multijet engine, has elegant, sophisticated bodywork, with Paganini Ivory on the bottom half and exclusive pearlescent Caravaggio Brown on the top. A timeless combination, picked up delicately in the interior which reiterates the colours of the bodywork. And the upholstery on the second Ypsilon 'b-colore' 1.4 16v is just as exclusive: this car is magnesium and brown, a combination that blends perfectly with the exterior line, which is highlighted by Rossini Grey at the bottom, with the new Caravaggio Brown at the top. The end result is a new, strong chromatic contrast that is simply irresistible.