18.12.2010 LANCIA OFFERS UNEXPECTED LOOK AT NEXT-GENERATION YPSILON AHEAD OF GENEVA DEBUT

NUOVA LANCIA YPSILON TEASER 2011
NUOVA LANCIA YPSILON TEASER 2011
NUOVA LANCIA YPSILON TEASER 2011

Lancia has unexpectedly released three "teaser" sketches showing the next-generation Ypsilon well ahead of its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March which offer the best look yet at the long-awaited new Supermini.

Lancia has unexpectedly released three "teaser" sketches showing the next-generation Ypsilon well ahead of its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March which offer the best look yet at the long-awaited new Supermini.

While the new Ypsilon's prototypes and pre-production models have been caught by photographers many times out testing clad in heavy disguises these three new images give the best look yet at the lines and proportions of the new car.

They also confirm that the new car is destined to wear a Chrysler badge in the UK, and possibly also the Republic of Ireland as, in taking cost savings and "badge engineering" to a whole new degrees, the Lancia version will wear a Chrysler-style grille, the staggered slat effect recently introduced by the U.S. carmaker that were inspired by last year's 200 EV sedan showcar, are being now carried straight on to the Italian brand meaning on the badge is set to be different.

The next-generation Ypsilon will be built in Poland (unlike the current version with is assembled at the closure-earmarked Termini Imerese factory in Sicily) and is based on a stretched version of the Fiat 500's platform. It will be 5-door (unlike the outgoing model which is 3-door) and the two key engines will be the 0.9 "TwinAir" (petrol) and the 1.3 Multijet II (diesel) while other major details include the retention of the centre instrument stack, a shield-shaped clamshell bonnet and Delta-style "flying bridge" roof profile.

The teaser images were accompanied by the short message: "A new horizon, three new Lancia models". The other two models to be unveiled by Lancia in Geneva will be rebadged versions of Chrysler's 300 series, likely to revive the Thema nametag and a timeline successor to the Thesis and the U.S. carmaker's Town & Country minivan which will replace the current-generation Phedra which is part of a joint venture with PSA Peugeot-Citroën which is now being wound down.
 

© 2010 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed