Lancia Ypsilon History

Subcompact car · 1985–present

History

The Ypsilon line traces its origin to the Lancia Y10 (1985–1995), a stylish city car developed with Autobianchi. The nameplate proper began with the second-generation Lancia Y (presented January 1996 in Rome), built on the Fiat Punto platform and sold as a premium supermini; over 870,000 were produced in the Melfi plant between 1995 and 2005.

The third generation Ypsilon (2011–2024) switched to five-door-only bodywork and became Italy's second best-selling car in 2019, despite Lancia's contraction to only the Italian market. The fourth generation (2024–present), revealed in February 2024, is built on the Stellantis e-CMP platform and offered as a fully electric vehicle alongside a mild-hybrid petrol option — Lancia's first EV and its vehicle for re-entering European markets including France, Spain, and the Benelux countries.

Generations

First generation (Y10) · Y10 / Autobianchi Y10 (1985–1995)

The Autobianchi/Lancia Y10 city car — the origin of the Ypsilon lineage, sold in some markets as an Autobianchi.
- 1989
  Photo: “Lancia Y10 Fire 1989 (9110454408)” by order_242 from Chile / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1990
  Photo: “1990 Lancia Y10 Selectronic (8793925699)” by Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1991
  Photo: “1991 Lancia Y10 Fire i.e. (9553748593)” by Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1992
  Photo: “1992 Lancia Y10 LX Selectronic (14983161489)” by Charlie from United Kingdom / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation (Y / Ypsilon) · Lancia Y (1996–2003)

Photo: “2000 Lancia Y 1.1 Elefantino Blu” by Corvettec6r / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

Presented January 1996; over 870,000 built on the Fiat Punto platform as a premium supermini.
- 2000
  Photo: “2000 Lancia Y 1.1 Elefantino Blu” by Corvettec6r / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 2002
  Photo: “Lancia Y Cosmopolitan (2002)” by Tipo-Lybra / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
Third generation · Ypsilon (Type 846) (2011–2024)

Five-door-only hatchback; Italy's second best-selling car in 2019 despite Lancia's single-market status.
- 2011
  Photo: “2011 Lancia Ypsilon 1.2 front” by Rutger van der Maar / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 2013
  Photo: “2013 Lancia Ypsilon 0.9T TwinAir EcoChic Metano” by Corvettec6r / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
Fourth generation (electric) · Ypsilon EV (e-CMP) (2024–present)

Stellantis e-CMP platform; Lancia's first EV (51 kWh, up to 403 km WLTP) plus mild-hybrid petrol option; limited launch edition capped at 1,906 units commemorating Lancia's founding year.
- 2024
  Photo: “Lancia Ypsilon BEV” by Erremm / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.