Lancia Ypsilon HF: electric and sporty, but lacking essence
When Lancia announced the return of its emblematic Ypsilon, many expected an urban car with a sporty soul and a sound that could be heard. But, instead of a roaring gasoline engine, what we find is a 100% electric car that tries to be sporty, yet without that touch that makes the soul vibrate.
It is curious to see how a brand that marked an era with models like the Delta Integrale or the Stratos HF now bets on a sporty image wrapped in an electric chassis. But, reality weighs, and in this case, literally: 1,556 kg for a car just over 4 meters is not what one would expect from a pure sports car.
Lancia Ypsilon HF: a return with a lot of noise and some absences
Design and tribute to history
The Lancia Ypsilon HF does not go unnoticed. With an exterior design that draws attention, it incorporates oversized bumpers, a generous rear diffuser, and 18-inch wheels that seem to say "there is power here." The tracks have been widened by 30 mm and the suspension lowered by 20 mm, while the iconic HF letters with the elephant on the grille recall the brand’s glorious past.
Sporty interior but with nostalgic touches
Inside, the feeling is of a cabin that looks back but plays in the present. The one-piece seats, partially upholstered in blue, directly pay homage to the Delta HF Integrale. They are comfortable and hold the body well in corners, but still lack that very characteristic aroma of gasoline engines that gives you goosebumps.
Electric performance that surprises but does not fully convince
Engine and chassis
The Ypsilon HF is equipped with an electric motor that delivers 280 hp and 345 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. Thanks to the Torsen-type limited-slip differential and greater stiffness of the stabilizer bars (63% front and 153% rear), it stays more stable in corners than its weight might suggest.
Suspension and braking system
The suspension, however, is really stiff, which makes it not the most comfortable car for daily use. The braking system, signed by Alcon with four-piston monobloc calipers and 355 mm discs at the rear, is powerful, but the pedal feel does not quite convince: it has an initial travel where it does not respond as it should.
Range and price: a combination that makes you think
Battery and consumption
With a 54 kWh battery, the Ypsilon HF offers an official range of up to 373 km with standard tires. The reality is that the real consumption is around 20.5 kWh/100 km, reducing the range to about 293 km, and if you let yourself go, you can reach consumption of up to 30 kWh.
Cost and market
The starting price is 42,335 euros, a figure that may challenge many drivers seeking a sporty but also practical urban car. But, in the end, the big question is: is this proposal worth it compared to the classics?
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Power | 280 hp / 345 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds |
| Battery | 54 kWh |
| Official range | 373 km |
| Real consumption | 20.5 kWh/100 km |
| Price | 42,335 € |
The Lancia Ypsilon HF is a car that knows its DNA comes from a time when the gasoline engine was the star. The electric proposal is effective and has very solid points like the limited-slip differential and the chassis stiffness. But we cannot help feeling that it lacks that sound, that spirit that only a gasoline engine can offer when you floor it.
In the end, this car is a tribute on wheels, a kind of bridge between the past and a future yet to be defined. But if you are looking for a real sports car, the Lancia Ypsilon HF will make you smile, but it will also leave you wanting more.
