Lancia Is Still (Barely) Alive, Introduces New Ypsilon Hybrid EcoChic In Italy

As we saw last year when it outsold the entire Alfa Romeo lineup in Europe in the first six months, the Lancia Ypsilon is alive and kicking.

Lancia continues to improve its only model and is now releasing full details about its first-ever hybrid vehicle: the Ypsilon Hybrid EcoChic. Mind you, we’re talking about a mild-hybrid powertrain and not a full hybrid.

It consists of a 1.0-liter Firefly three-cylinder petrol engine assisted by a 12-volt belt-driven starter generator (BSG) electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery. The unit delivers 70 PS (69 HP) and 92 Nm (68 lb-ft) of torque.

See Also: Watch Out, Alfa! Lancia Launches Ypsilon Monogram Edition In Italy

Compared to the 69 PS (68 HP) 1.2-liter Fire engine it replaces, the mild-hybrid powertrain enables a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of up to 24 percent. More specifically, it’s rated at 4.0 – 4.1 l/100 km (58.8 – 57.4 mpg US / 70.6 – 68.9 mpg UK), with corresponding CO2 emissions of 90 – 92 g/km on the combined NEDC cycle.

It does that while offering the same performance and improved comfort, as the BSG allows a silent and vibration-free restart of the thermal engine in city traffic. As with the mild-hybrid Fiat 500 and Panda, the Ypsilon Hybrid EcoChic is offered exclusively with a new six-speed transmission.

To mark the launch of the first-ever hybrid Lancia, the Ypsilon Hybrid comes in a Maryne special edition inspired by the colors of the sea. The model sports a new Blue Maryne paint finish, Hybrid badge on the rear hatch, and EcoChic logo on the C-pillars.

Other distinctive details include Dark Gray accents on the upper and lower grilles, mirror caps, door handles and model badge on the rear hatch. A glossy black finish on the rear bumper is also present while the 15-inch steel wheels are covered with black hubcaps.

Inside, the special edition model features Seaqual Yarn seat fabrics. The sustainable material is made from plastic collected by fishermen from the Mediterranean Sea. The plastic is transformed by Seaqual into a polyester yarn that can be used as a real fabric, mixed with other natural ecological fibers.

Compared to the lesser Silver and Gold trim levels, the Lancia Ypsilon Hybrid Maryne also gets additional equipment including privacy glass, cruise control, as well as rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps. The Ypsilon Hybrid Maryne is more expensive than the Silver and Gold models, starting from €16,400 ($18,180) in Italy.