Lancia at Geneva International Motor Show

Lancia Ypsilon Sport by MomoDesign

Lancia revives the habit of organising the world premiere of its new products at the Geneva Show. The star of the stand is undoubtedly the new Ypsilon Sport by MomoDesign, a decidedly self-assured but nonetheless fashionable version of this model, born out of collaboration between Lancia and the MomoDesign Styling Centre, two Italian industrial entities famous the world over for innovation in design, the use of cutting-edge materials and attention to detail.

In Geneva the public will be able to learn all about the concept of the Lancia Cafés, which are being opened all over Europe, where people can meet together and enter the ‘Lancia world’, interfacing with the worldwide network of Lancia Cafés, to understand and appreciate the historical value, modernity and future of the brand in day-to-day life. The same spirit will animate the showrooms to be built in the coming years and the stands at the various international shows, starting with Geneva. In fact, the stand in Geneva is inspired by the concept of the Lancia Café, underlined by the high quality level, where every detail is perfectly in line with the elegant temperament and quality of Lancia cars. Even the furnishings and materials of the stand reflect the refinement and craftsmanship of the interiors of all Lancia models. The whole effect is set off by architectural elements that create the effect of a deconstructed, filtered, dynamic space: an environment that is not perpendicular and unconventional, in line with the unique nature of Lancia design. The concept of the Lancia Cafés has also given birth to the Lancia Boutique which has its official inauguration here in Geneva. In this refined, attractive environment people will be able to admire the precious collection of accessories and clothing with the brand logo, created in collaboration with leading names in the fashion world.

The stand is therefore a shop-window onto the brand, with the relaxed, convivial atmosphere of a sophisticated lounge. In this superb display, Lancia confirms the amazing vitality of a brand which for a century has managed to maintain its identity as the maker of cars that combine comfort, elegance and cutting edge technology. And the brand intends to tackle the coming years with the same spirit and goals, constantly proposing superb new products. Suffice it to say that the new Ypsilon, today’s peak model, made its debut in 2006, but so did the new Delta HPE, which will be marketed in 2008. And other novelties are in the pipeline. The brand has set itself a goal of 300,000 registrations a year by 2010, exploiting the brand’s history, genes and unique styling. With these guidelines, it intends to consolidate its position on the Italian market and to grasp the good prospects on the major European markets, as well as targeting new markets like Russia, Turkey and Scandinavia and, subsequently, the United Kingdom and Japan. These are certainly ambitious goals. But the brand can count on a comprehensive range, which the public can admire at the Geneva Motor Show. For example, the Musa and new Ypsilon will ‘parade’ on the Lancia stand, expressing the best Lancia tradition combined with highly sophisticated technology. And thanks to the values in the brand’s DNA, it is in a better position than other makes to respond to the needs of customers who are looking not only for technology but also for the value of tradition, which demands ‘substance’ in the product as well as exclusiveness and prestige.

The display in Switzerland is completed by the Lancia Thesis and Lancia Phedra flagships, the epitome of the marriage of ‘elegance and innovation’. Visitors to Geneva can admire the latest version of the Thesis, with new interiors and original exterior details, and a Phedra 2007 Special Series in the 7-seater version, the best example of the ‘Italian art of living’.

The new 105 bhp version of the 1.3 Multijet engine, developed and manufactured by Fiat Powertrain Technologies, has been transformed into a luminous jewel, encased in a gem box, and resting on an Alcantara cushion to highlight its precious qualities.

The exclusive new Ypsilon Sport by MomoDesign

Sustained by the success of the previous Ypsilon MomoDesign, the new Ypsilon Sport by MomoDesign makes its debut on the Lancia stand, a new version of the model with a dual soul (dynamic look and innate elegance), and a new chapter in the collaboration between two brands famous the world over for their contribution to the development of Italian industrial design. Lancia and the MomoDesign Styling Centre have created an extremely personal formal language which makes their creations stand out among so many mass-produced products. For example, the exclusive items of clothing and the accessories designed and manufactured by the MomoDesign Styling Centre: from helmets to watches, sunglasses, shoes and suitcases. They are all unique products in the fashion world, just as Lancia creations are unique. The new Ypsilon Sport by MomoDesign is therefore a concrete example of how an ‘automotive object’ can be reinterpreted from an aesthetic viewpoint together with another brand, highlighting the expressive features that have always identified Italian design: innovation, styling and character.

With the Sport by MomoDesign version, the new Ypsilon range addresses young motorists who are looking for a sporty car at an accessible price, which will guarantee excitement at the wheel, but will maintain the elegance and distinction embodied by this compact Lancia model. The Sport by MomoDesign version will be marketed from the end of June in Italy, and will subsequently join the new Ypsilon range on all the other markets.

Italian styling

On the outside, the new Sport by MomoDesign version maintains the model’s strong personality, proposing a number of stylistic and chromatic changes that recall the styling of products created by the MomoDesign Styling Centre. For example, in addition to the sporting non-metallic Black paintwork, the new Ypsilon can be ‘dressed’ in four other colours: exclusive Grey and Orange, and new non-metallic Yellow and White.

The car is also offered with exclusive opaque metallic Titanium paint on the tailgate, roof and wing mirrors. And an additional touch of assertiveness is given by the burnished metalluro finish on a number of elements: grille, tailgate handle, side and front trims and the ‘Multijet’ logo on the tailgate of diesel versions. The darkened rear windows and the body-coloured fog-light-frames add an extra touch of elegance, while the reference to the well-known Italian design firm is given by the tone-on-tone ‘MomoDesign’ graphics on the central pillar. On the exterior, exclusive 16” alloy wheels with a burnished diamond effect, and the ultra-sporty red ‘Y’ of the ‘Ypsilon’ for the top-of-the-range version.

The essential uncluttered styling and dark upholstery of the passenger compartment is elegant and refined, but adds that touch of assertiveness that you expect from a Lancia of this calibre, for example a black leather steering wheel and gear lever knob.

The seats on the new Ypsilon Sport by MomoDesign are upholstered with Airtex technological fabric in the new black colour, to match the shades of the paintwork. For extra sportiness, the range includes seats in leather and Alcantara^® Starlite, sporting the words ‘MomoDesign’ in silver in the perforations.

Performance and enjoyable driving

People who enjoy driving will find that the compact new Ypsilon Sport by MomoDesign behaves brilliantly on any road, and is always a pleasure to drive, thanks to the low suspension trim and the adoption of disc brakes even on the rear axle.

Where the engines are concerned, the brilliant 1.3 Multijet 16V is extremely aggressive, delivering 105 bhp at 4000 rpm and torque of 200 Nm (20.4 kgm) at 1750 rpm. Combined with the 5-speed gearbox, this takes the car to a top speed of 177 km/h, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 10.3 seconds. Excellent performance that makes this the most powerful compact in its segment, while fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions remain excellent, the hallmark of the Multijet: 4.5 l/100 km in the combined cycle and 119 g/km.

The MomoDesign range also includes a 95 bhp 1.4 16v petrol version, on which the entertainment is enhanced by a 6-speed manual gearbox. And finally, those who want to combine the handling of a sports car and respect for the environment on a compact can choose the 90 bhp 1.3 Multijet 16v, which fits a DPF particulate filter as standard equipment.

The equipment and safety of a ‘pocket flagship’

Original styling and excellent performance are the distinguishing features of the new Ypsilon Sport by MomoDesign. But it is also lavishly equipped: climate system, ‘Dual Drive’ electric power steering, Hi-Fi system with radio and CD player, remote control door release, Follow me home device, steering wheel and gear lever knob in perforated leather with silver stitching. Plus diamond effect, burnished 16” alloys, and two colour-coded electrical wing mirrors.

Where safety is concerned, standard equipment on the new Ypsilon Sport by MomoDesign includes ABS complete with EBD, frontal airbags and window bags (sidebags are available on request), and the sophisticated ESP system with ASR and a Hill Holder. The lavish outfit includes electric front windows, a rear seat that folds down and away and a steering-wheel that adjusts for height and reach. And finally, the customer can choose from a wide range of options for his new Ypsilon: from the Gran Luce sunroof to foglights, dual-zone automatic climate control and the Blue&Me system^®.

A rear spoiler will be available after the launch, an ideal solution that makes this sporty compact even more aggressive but does not detract from the new Ypsilon’s innate class.

All the strong points of the new Ypsilon

The new Sport by MomoDesign version obviously inherits all the distinction and prestige of the new Ypsilon model, a car that combines excellent styling with cutting-edge technology. Just like all the best Italian luxury products, names that are famous all over the world. The new Ypsilon was designed and built for a clientele that likes to stand out with exclusive products, and expects a car to be enjoyable first and foremost. But we must not forget that, like the best Italian luxury goods, the new Ypsilon has extremely refined styling, perfect colour combinations and numerous opportunities for customisation: over 700 possible ways to customise the ‘pocket flagship’, the result of combining 15 bodywork shades, 4 outfits (Argento, Oro Bianco, Oro Giallo and Platino), 9 new ‘b-colore’ combinations, 8 different interior outfits and 6 types of alloy wheels (including those in the Lineaccessori). Whatever the level of customisation, the new Ypsilon is always attractive and original, epitomising Italian taste that is famous all over the world.

Four examples are on display in Geneva, all powered by the sparkling 90 bhp Multijet 1.3 16v engine, with the Oro Bianco, Oro Giallo and Platino specifications, and the ‘Blue&Me^®’ Special Series. Two of the cars on show also feature elegant two-tone bodywork, which has always been a distinguishing feature of Lancia and is now the result of a long, complex, painting process.

Once again, the new Ypsilon ‘pocket flagship’ underlines the great versatility of this successful model, with which Lancia focuses on a future in which the product will not be the only ‘premium’ element that distinguishes it from the competition, nor will it be the only motivating factor that appeals to a potential customer. For this reason, the brand has studied important novelties in the sales and after-sales fields to meet the desires, needs, tastes and aspirations of numerous different customers. For example, in Italy customers can choose the ‘Lancia V.Y.P. Service’ (Very Ypsilon People Service), which provides roadside assistance as well as home collection and delivery of the car for programmed maintenance. This means that, for two years, or the entire duration of the warranty period, the customer does not have to worry about taking the car to the workshop for programmed maintenance, because Lancia will deal with it, guaranteeing that the customer remains mobile. In the event of a breakdown, puncture, empty fuel tank, etc. the mobile workshop will intervene rapidly to solve the problem. It is a revolutionary service that is really designed for a ‘premium’ customer.

Blue&Me^® and the world’s first ‘Community Car’

The Lancia new Ypsilon offers the innovative Blue&Me^® system developed by Fiat Auto and Microsoft, which changes the communications, information and entertainment paradigms in the car, improving the comfort and quality of the time spent on board. And the range will be completed soon by even more advanced devices that will give access to the many novelties that technological progress will bring in the future: from a compete multimedia system to satellite navigation and a whole series of services that will make every journey even more comfortable, safer and easier.

Lancia now takes a first step in this direction with the world’s first ‘Community Car’, an extraordinary novelty in the field of marketing and services that caters for ‘Very Ypsilon People’. A special limited series of the new Ypsilon goes on the market in Italy with two-tone bodywork (Blue-Opaque Blue) and the Blue&Me^® system, a latest generation cell phone and a prepaid TIM telephone card complete with a traffic bonus. Thanks to this innovative kit, customers of this special series can chat among themselves, sending vocal text messages, and creating a real community that shares the values of the Lancia brand and draws attention to technological innovation but also to the prestigious services linked to the Blue&Me^® system. Users of the new Ypsilon Blue&Me^® can also access a wide range of information, such as local events, and reminders of maintenance deadlines for the car, but also horoscopes and quizzes. And finally, they can receive exclusive information about the latest novelties from Lancia by text message.

The Blue&Me^® is extremely simple to use, thanks to Bluetooth^® technology, and features a hands-free system with voice recognition that allows you to make and receive calls and to listen to music while you drive, simply and safely. It also lets you communicate with the outside world from the car using your own personal devices such as a cell phone or PDA. With the Blue&Me^® system, you can listen to your favourite music recorded on a cell phone, on a new smart phone, on an MP3 player or on a USB pen drive. All thanks to a USB port on the tunnel, which will take any digital device that has a similar connection. This makes it possible to reproduce musical audio files directly (MP3, WMA and WAV), through the stereo system.