Engineering:Lancia Ypsilon

Second generation
Second generation
Overview
Production	2003–2011
Assembly	Italy: Termini Imerese; Melfi
Designer	Mike Robinson at Centro Stile Lancia
Body and chassis
Body style	3-door hatchback
Platform	Fiat B
Related	Lancia Musa; Fiat Punto (188); Fiat Idea; Zastava 10
Powertrain
Engine	1.2 L Fire I4 (petrol); 1.4 L Fire I4 (petrol); 1.4 L Fire EcoChic I4 (LPG); 1.3 L Multijet I4 (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual; 6-speed manual; 5-speed D.F.N. automated manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,388 mm (94.0 in)
Length	3,778 mm (148.7 in) (2003–2006); 3,810 mm (150.0 in) (2006–2011)
Width	1,704 mm (67.1 in)
Height	1,530 mm (60.2 in)

Lancia Y
Lancia Y
Overview
Also called	Lancia Ypsilon
Production	June 1995 – 2003
Assembly	Italy: Melfi
Designer	Enrico Fumia at Centro Stile Lancia
Body and chassis
Body style	3-door hatchback
Related	Fiat Punto (176)
Powertrain
Engine	1.1 L Fire I4 (petrol); 1.2 L Fire I4 (petrol); 1.4 L Pratola Serra I4 (petrol)
Transmission	5-speed manual; 6-speed manual; ECVT automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,380 mm (93.7 in)
Length	3,723 mm (146.6 in) (1996–2000); 3,740 mm (147.2 in) (2000–2003)
Width	1,690 mm (66.5 in)
Height	1,435 mm (56.5 in)

Lancia Ypsilon
Lancia Ypsilon
Overview
Manufacturer	Lancia
Also called	Chrysler Ypsilon (Ireland, Japan and UK)
Production	1995–present
Body and chassis
Class	Supermini (B)
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Autobianchi Y10

The Lancia Ypsilon is a supermini manufactured and marketed by Lancia, currently in its third generation and as of 2024, the marque's only model. The Ypsilon was released in 1995, as a larger and more expensive replacement to the Y10. Between 1995 and 2005, Lancia produced more than 870,000 Ypsilons in the Melfi plant in the Potenza region.^[1]

The third generation Ypsilon, sharing its platform with the Fiat 500, was marketed also as the Chrysler Ypsilon in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Japan. Fiat Group discontinued the Chrysler variant in 2017, having marketed 2,000 units in 2014.^[2] It is also no longer sold in Japan, with the discontinuation of both the Lancia Voyager and Lancia Thema branding on Chrysler-built vehicles in 2015. It is currently only available in the Italian market.

Despite relative obscurity worldwide and in Europe, Lancia Ypsilon is actually the second most popular car sold in Italy as of 2019.^[3]

First generation (1995)

1995–2000

pre-facelift Lancia Ypsilon rear

The Lancia Y (Type 840) was designed by Enrico Fumia in 1992.^[5] It was developed over 24 months at a cost of around 400 billion Italian lira^[6] and was presented in Rome in January 1996.^[7] The arches defined the car, repeating themselves on all sides of the car. The length is 3.72 m, 33 cm longer than the Y10. The Lancia Y was built on the platform of the Fiat Punto series 176 (the same platform as the Palio and Barchetta), with a redesigned trailing arm independent rear suspension, connected by a stabilizer bar, to provide a more comfortable and refined driving experience, while suspension at the front remained of the independent MacPherson type.

The main features of the Lancia Y include five seats, a soft plastic dashboard, and accessories, and options, including body colors in 100 shades from the Lancia Kaleidoscope catalog. Another design property that distinguished the Y was the instrument cluster in the center of the dashboard, which was adopted by the Musa and Ypsilon later in 2003.

Lancia Y interior in Alcantara

Initially, the range featured three trim levels: LE, LS, and LX. A Cosmopolitan special edition of 600 pieces was later added. It was created through collaboration with the magazine, based on the LX trim. It was sold in the European market outside of Italy.^{[citation needed]}

Air conditioning was standard on the LX and an option on the LS. The LX also offered an enhanced instrument cluster with a rev counter and a larger display that also displayed the outside temperature.^{[citation needed]}

The engines were part of the FIRE series that debuted in the Y10 in 1985 and later was used in other Fiat and Lancia vehicles. They were available in displacements of 1,108 and 1,242cc with eight valves in an overhead camshaft arrangement. The top-of-the-line 1.4 12 valve "Pratola Serra" engine with 59 kW (80 PS) was carried over from the Fiat Bravo/Brava.^[8] Given the limited success of the Pratola Serra engine, it was soon replaced by the first so-called SuperFIRE engine, featuring four valves per cylinder and multipoint fuel injection. The Lancia Y was the first car to receive this evolution of the FIRE.^[9]

The 1,242cc SuperFIRE developed 63 kW (86 PS) at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 113 Nm at 4,500 rpm. This engine remains available on the 2013 Lancia Ypsilon, 2013 Ford Ka, and the Fiat 500.

The Elefantino Rosso (English: Tiny Red Elephant, which was the symbol of the historic Lancia HF sports cars that won numerous rally competitions) is the sports version of the Lancia Y and the sister car to the Fiat Punto Sporting. It features an interior in grey Alcantara, seats also in grey Alcantara and accentuated with dark grey fabric insets that echo the exterior color of the car, a center console, 15" wheels and rear-view mirrors in a titanium look, the steering wheel and gearshift in grey leather with red stitching, air conditioning, a shorter gearbox ratio for quicker acceleration from 0–100 km/h and in 5th gear, a lowered and stiffened suspension with bigger roll bars and more direct power steering. It reached a top speed of 177 km/h and was the only car in the lineup to receive 15" wheels with 195/50R15 tires. For those who desired a more discreet, comfortable, and luxurious ride, the LX (with an Alcantara and walnut veneer interior) and LS were also available with SuperFIRE. They were able to reach the same top speed as the "Pratola Serra" versions. The 1.2 8V was available with an automatic ECVT transmission.

Lancia had pulled out of RHD markets two years prior to the Y's launch. Thus, no RHD version was developed.

The Italian magazine Quattroruote test drove the "Ypsilon 16V LX" beyond its usual city use and praised its excellent power reserves while offering the comforts of a car worthy of a higher price. The Lancia Ypsilon was featured in Gran Turismo 2. The model was an immediate success selling over 42,000 units in the first two months.^[10]

2000–2003

2000 Lancia Y facelift

In October 2000, the exterior and interior were restyled. The external changes included a new, larger grille, new bumpers, new taillights, new wheel cover designs, new fog lights. The side moldings of the car became much smoother and body-colored. The most significant internal change was the headrests (instead of drilled solids) and new seats and new steering wheel (similar to that of the Lancia Lybra). The material was no longer available with "soft touch", reflective security was removed from the doors, the climate control button was replaced with a lever, and the instrument panel was made more readable and modern, especially in the use of the LED display. The length of the car increased slightly from 3.72 metres to 3.74 metres.

The LX and Red Elephant versions, which cost €15,060 list,^{[clarification needed]} came with the standard including driver and passenger airbags, air conditioning, ABS, power steering, Blaupunkt radio/navigation system with 6 speakers, split rear seat with headrests, the Alcantara interior, outdoor temperature display, electrically operated door mirrors painted in body color, the helm station and instrument panel were red instead of green, central locking with remote control, power windows, adjustable seat and steering wheel, leather interior with red stitching on the Red Elephant, fog lamps and alloy wheels with 185/60 R 14 tires for the LX and 195/50 R15 for the Red Elephant.

The following years were marketed by other special versions: DoDo,^[11] Vanity and Unica. 16v versions reduce their output of 6 PS (4 kW) due to new Euro 3 pollution standards. Emissions were reduced with a more linear delivery, while maintaining, and sometimes even increasing, consumption.

Lancia reduced power from 60 PS on the 1242 cc, due to the addition of the sequential multipoint fuel injection system, costing power.

It also removed the 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) engine 1108 option, as it had not yet been adapted to the new Euro 3 directive, leaving the 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp) 1.2 8v and 1.2 16v 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp).^[12]

In September 2003, after nearly nine years of career and just above 804,600 units sold,^[13] its successor, the Lancia Ypsilon debuted, replacing it completely the following year.

Engines

Version	Availability	Displacement	Power	Torque	0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) (seconds)	"Highest permitted"^[14]^{[clarification needed]} top speed (km/h)	Combined Fuel economy (L/100km)	CO₂ emissions (g/100 km)
1.1 FIRE 8V	1996-2000	1108 cm³	40 kW (54 PS; 54 hp) at 5,500 rpm	86 N⋅m (63 lbf⋅ft) at 3,250 rpm	15	150 km/h (93 mph)	6.3	150
1.2 FIRE 8V	1996-2000	1242 cm³	44 kW (60 PS; 59 hp) at 5,500 rpm	98 N⋅m (72 lbf⋅ft) at 3,000 rpm	13.3 (13.5) (6-speed)	160 km/h (99 mph) (169 km/h (105 mph)) (6-speed)	6.7 (6.6) (6-speed)	158 (156) (6-speed)
*1.4 Pratola Serra* 12V**	1996-1997	1370 cm³	59 kW (80 PS; 79 hp) at 6,000 rpm	112 N⋅m (83 lbf⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm	12.4	170 km/h (106 mph)	7.8	185
1.2 FIRE 16V	1997-2000	1242 cm³	63 kW (86 PS; 84 hp) at 6,000 rpm	113 N⋅m (83 lbf⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm	10.9	177 km/h (110 mph)	6.6	157
1.2 FIRE Elefantino Rosso 16V	1997-2000	1242 cm³	63 kW (86 PS; 84 hp) at 6,000 rpm	113 N⋅m (83 lbf⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm	10.9^{[citation needed]}	177 km/h (110 mph)	7	166
1.2 FIRE 8V	2001-2003	1242 cm³	44 kW (60 PS; 59 hp) at 5,000 rpm	102 N⋅m (75 lbf⋅ft) at 2,500 rpm	14.1	158 km/h (98 mph)	5.7	136
1.2 FIRE 16V	2001-2003	1242 cm³	59 kW (80 PS; 79 hp) at 5,000 rpm	114 N⋅m (84 lbf⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm	11.2	174 km/h (108 mph)	6	144

All versions

Lancia Y with 1.4 12V engine

Lancia Y LE (1996)
Lancia Y LS (1996)
Lancia Y LX (1996)
Lancia Y Elefantino Blu (1997)
Lancia Y Elefantino Rosso (1997)
Lancia Y Cosmopolitan (1998)
Lancia Y Marie Claire (2000)
Lancia Y DoDo (2001)
Lancia Y Vanity (2001)
Lancia Y Unica (2002)
Lancia Y Caprice

Safety

The Y was awarded 2 stars in the Euro NCAP crash test for adult protection and Euro NCAP 2-star certification for pedestrian safety.^[15]

Adult occupant =
Pedestrian =

Second generation (2003)

2003–2006

The Ypsilon (Type 843) was Introduced in 2003 to access the Lancia range. It was designed to meet the needs of a young audience, and over time found sales, especially to females.^{[citation needed]} It became the best-selling car of the Lancia range with an annual production of about 60,000 units. It was initially assembled at the Fiat plant in Melfi. In June 2005 production was moved to Sicily at the plant in Termini Imerese Palermo. The car uses a three-door body about 3.78 meters long, with the design inspired by the historic Lancia Ardea.^[16]

2003 Ypsilon inside

The front is characterized by a large chrome grille with lobes at the top. The lighting is placed at the ends of the front arch. Bumpers are characterized by the presence of a coating applied to the fascia. Above the air, intakes are the fog lights (in versions of the tip). A prominent rib runs along the sides. The glazing frames are chrome-plated versions of the tip. The tail has vertically oriented headlamps that culminate in the bumper and are integrated into the fenders. The rear tailgate has a small size that limits visibility, embellished by chromed fascia above the license plate.

The frame used a shortened version of the B platform debuted with the Fiat Punto (188) and adopted also by the Fiat Idea and Lancia Musa. The engine is transverse front-mounted, with front-wheel drive. The front independent suspensions are MacPherson struts with stabilizer bar, with steel arms, while at the rear there is a semi-independent torsion beam suspension. Ventilated front disc and rear drum brakes were available only for the home versions. Sport MomoDesign provided the four-disc brakes with stiffened suspension and trim for other models. All versions included anti-wheel drive lock (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and an electric power steering system that stiffens gradually, but among the options are combined electronic stability control and traction.

The interior is covered with plastic inserts on door panels and instrument panel is covered with Airtex fabric, leather or Alcantara depending on the model. Two-tone upholstery and plastic inserts mimic aluminium. The upholstery is available in four different materials: "glamorous", Airtex, suede, and leather. It offers large storage space in front of the driver and passenger. The air conditioning and radio controls were located in the central area, including the optional navigation system.

2006–2010

2006 Ypsilon facelift rear

In Autumn 2006 the Ypsilon received a touch-up that affected the engines and internals. It had a new front grille, more rounded bumpers with enlarged air intakes, and rear light clusters with chrome-effect ice. There are five versions: Silver, Passion, White Gold, Yellow Gold, and Platinum. New fabrics for the seats came with new combinations of colours. Finishes on the bridge are painted silver or dark gray. The car has a new 1.3 Multijet 16v engine of 75, 90, or 105 horses. It also offered Blue&Me hands-free (Bluetooth with USB port), new colours, and new wheels.

The new Ypsilon can be equipped with pay-Electronic Stability Control and Hill Holder, a 0.93 g of grip, even if the rolling is accentuated by the soft suspension calibration. The shift lever is in a raised position and the split rear bench seat and sliding. The 2008 model introduced a DPF particulate filter as standard on all diesel engines except the 105 horsepower 1.3 Multijet diesel with the automated manual transmission D.F.N. (Dolce Far Niente).

2010–2011

In 2010, the exterior mirrors increased in size and darkened headlamps appeared. In 2011 Lancia introduced the final version called Ypsilon Unyca.

Production of the second generation Lancia Ypsilon ended on 23 November 2011 because Fiat Group closed the Termini Imerese factory where the Ypsilon was assembled.^[17] The third generation of Lancia Ypsilon is produced at Tychy in Poland.

Special edition

2005 Lancia Ypsilon Sport Zagato

The Ypsilon was produced in two body colours version (called B-colore), which recalls Lancia tradition. The best-selling Ypsilons were the Passion, the Momo Design^[18] and Sport Momo Design^[19] characterized by the double body-colour, distinct from the top (roof, side mirrors and rear hatch) and the rest of the fairing, as well as some mostly sporty details (alloy wheels, interior). It derives directly from a concept called Ypsilon Sport,^[20] presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 and developed in collaboration with Zagato Design Centre.^[21] It differs from the parent version of the engine, 1.4 Fire 95 PS and 1.3 Multijet 75, 90 and 105 horsepower, the four-disc braking system with lowered suspension, tires and its "sporty" design features.

2010 Lancia Ypsilon Elle

In May 2008, as in 2006, the limited edition makeover ModaMilano returned^[22] with colour changes (TOP Borromini Grey colour), Bi-colour multi-spoke wheels, chrome trim and dashboard instrumentation cupolotto covered with skin.

Since 2009, the Ypsilon Versus was a limited edition of just 1,000, designed by Versace,^[23] with Bronzino Bronze body and interior. The Paris 2009 concept car was presented as Ypsilon Elle^[24] carried out in collaboration with the women's magazine. Elle was characterized by special pink bodywork and interior trim. Also in 2009, the Ypsilon E-Collection arrived, characterized by low environmental impact engines with reduced carbon dioxide emissions dioxide and B-body colour.

By 2011, the full range met the Euro 5 emission standard.^[25] It offered a new interior trim color palette. The interior had parabolic mirrors painted in Gloss Black. In 2011 the Ypsilon Unyca debuted.^[26]