These are the first official images of Lancia’s new Ypsilon supermini, which will go on sale in Britain in 2009 as part of the brand’s UK relaunch. The next generation of the luxury city car was confirmed at a recent investor briefing given by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne in London, and the sketches were hidden away in a document handed out at the event.Described as a “speciality model” and an “image driver” for the rest of the Lancia range, the new Ypsilon will join the next Delta family hatchback, which is due to arrive in the UK in 2008. The Ypsilon is likely to be based on the underpinnings of the current Fiat Punto, with a chassis tuned for comfort rather than entertainment.Expect the interior to be one of the car’s highlights – since the original Ypsilon (baded Y), the first car to use Alcantara, small Lancias have majored on using expensive materials and innovative designs.Lancia’s arrival in the UK will need to coincide with Fiat’s plans to upgrade its dealer network, kicked off last week. Although a Fiat source described the possibility of stand alone Lancia dealers as “unlikely”, they could be located in Alfa Romeo dealerships.
Lancia at Bologna: Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign, new Musa
Lancia has also just confirmed its line-up for the Bologna motor show, which opens its doors to the public this Friday. There, it will show the Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign, a special edition run-out model of the current city car that which gets the Panda 100hp's 1.4-litre engine, a titanium grey rear hatch, 16in burnished alloy wheels and a leather and alcantara interior.It will also have the brand new 2008 Lancia Musa mini-MPV on show, Lancia's version of the Fiat Idea. This has been branded as Lancia's "city limousine," and specced-up Platino versions come with a two-tone exterior, cruise and climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, parking sensors, satellite navigation, 16in alloys and leather and alcantara upholstery. Quite an equipment tally for such a small car.
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