Lancia has created a special stylistic ‘personality’ for the Musa and Ypsilon models to celebrate its centenary. From April, customers will be able to choose their cars, no matter what the outfit or version, with the original centenary logo on the pillar and two-tone bodywork. What has always been a stylistic feature typical of Lancia, is now achieved by a long, complex painting process.

The Centenary editions come in 13 exclusive two-tone combinations, which were chosen by the public at the recent Bologna Motor Show. In December, visitors to the Lancia stand were able to match colours on the computer, and out of the many hundreds of possible solutions, the 13 most popular now become the colours for the Centenary edition. A description of the technical features and equipment of the two cars on display follows, underlining, once again, the brand’s constant striving to keep faith with its manufacturing philosophy: ‘dressing’ the latest generation of engineering and engines with a painstakingly tailored-made ‘dress’, that could only be the result of Italian style.

The Musa Centenary edition

The version which will be exhibited in Geneva will have two-tone Light and Dark Blue paintwork: a touch of originality and class that enhances the model’s sleek, harmonious lines, while the elegant exterior of the Lancia Musa Centenary edition is restated in the beautiful interior. Here we find the refinement and exclusiveness that are part of Lancia tradition: a living-room where the seats upholstered entirely in brown leather are enhanced by contrasting piping and overstitching, and by the Musa logo on the head-restraints.

The standard equipment is particularly interesting: dual-zone automatic climate control, map satellite navigator complete with CD player and hands-free GSM telephone, leather steering wheel, 4 airbags, parking sensors, GranLuce sunroof and 16” two-tone alloys. But also electrical power steering, ESP, ABS with EBD, foglights, and electric windows front and rear. And the car on display in Geneva is also fitted with outstanding options such as Cruise Control and steering wheel mounted radio controls. The Musa Centenary edition is equipped with the powerful, elastic 100 bhp 1.9 Multijet engine (Euro 4) which delivers 100 bhp (74 kW) at 4000 rpm and torque of 260 Nm (26.4 kgm) at 1750 rpm. Combined with a manual 5-speed gearbox, this engine takes the Lancia Musa Centenary edition to a top speed of 179 km/h, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds; in spite of this, fuel consumption is just 5.5 l/100 km on the combined cycle.

The new Centenary edition is a trump card for the Musa, which is enjoying considerable success with the public: in the 15 months since it was launched, over 40,000 units have been registered in Europe. The sales mix favours the richest outfit (Platino), with strong demand for the most powerful engine, the 100 bhp 1.9 Multijet.

The Lancia Musa was born from the concept of ‘Italian hospitality’ in which occupants are guests and not passengers, who are invited to share the pleasure of life on board a car that is unique in its segment. It is clearly a luxury product, but one that is never ostentatious, designed for people who like to enjoy life without forgoing its practical realities. The Lancia Musa brings the secrets of an Italian welcome to the world of the motor car: it receives its guests with good taste, warmth and generosity. The Lancia Musa is the epitome of good taste in its sophisticated, harmonious shapes, its warm, elegantly combined colours, top-quality details and luxury materials.
 

It is the right size for use around town and for longer trips: the model measures 3.99 metres in length, 1.70 metres in width and 1.66 metres in height and is bound to become the new benchmark in this particular compact car sector. The Lancia Musa is warmth in the sensations it offers its guests: the lightness of its transparent ‘GranLuce’ roof and the airiness of the interior, the pleasing sensations offered by its surfaces, the wraparound comfort of its ergonomic seats and the automatic climate control system make any journey a pleasure. The interior space is easy to ‘dominate’ due to the raised driving position, user-friendly controls and modular seats that can assume up to 32 different positions (including an unusual ‘chaise longue’ position). The Lancia Musa is generous in its engineering products: high-performing engines designed for an easy, relaxing drive. Three turbodiesel Multijet units: the well-rounded, flexible 100 bhp 1.9 unit, ideal in any situation, and the two 1.3 units, delivering 70 bhp and 90 bhp, ideal for driving around town when fitted with the ‘Dolce Far Niente’ gearbox. For people who cover less mileage, there is also a lively 95 bhp 1.4 Fire petrol unit.

The Ypsilon Centenary edition

The Centenary edition of the ‘pocket flagship’ on display in Geneva proposes a sophisticated chromatic effect for the bodywork (grey and black). A timeless combination, repeated in the interior, where the seats and panels are upholstered with the exclusive Glamour technical fabric. The Lancia Ypsilon Centenary edition is equipped with the powerful 95 bhp 1.4 16-valve engine, and offers a radio with CD player and the option of an MP3 player, 16” alloy wheels, remote door opening, a rear seat that slides and folds separately, and electrically heated and folding wing mirrors. The new Ypsilon Centenary edition reiterates the great versatility of this ‘pocket flagship’, which offers plenty of substance and great stylistic appeal, set off by the excellent handling typical of a compact.

Designed for motorists who like to stand out for their exclusive products, since its launch the range has been steadily enlarged by the addition of new versions, created in particular by playing with colour, which has always been a distinctive feature of the model. For the Ypsilon, colour is not just a matter of aesthetics, but an integral part of a product philosophy based on elegance, glamour, personality, playfulness, imagination, styling and possibilities for customisation. This is borne out by the three Ypsilon ‘b-colore’ versions, cars which have become ‘fashion items’, and the brand-new Lancia Ypsilon MOMO Design. Now it is the turn of the Ypsilon Centenary edition.

So, whatever your choice, the Lancia Ypsilon responds promptly to the demands of a sophisticated clientele that is constantly on the lookout for unique products. This model has been a success with public and critics from the start, winning the ‘European Automotive Design Award’ in Brussels, and being voted ‘The Car I prefer 2004’ by the readers of the motoring monthly Quattroruote, and the ‘Most beautiful car in the world’ by a jury of design experts. And we must not forget that over 180,000 units have been registered in Europe since its launch.