LANCIA is set to release an all-electric hot hatchback – the first of its kind from them in decades.
The iconic car manufacturer has unveiled a high-performance EV version of their new Ypsilon model– and it will boast the return of their legendary HF badge.
To be called the Ypsilon HF, the electric pocket rocket will be capable of hitting 237 bhp – similar to another Stellantis hot hatch, the Abarth 600e – that will take it to 62 mph in just 5.8 seconds.
It will also come with a lower, wider suspension than the regular Ypsilon.
The new model – set to released in May 2025 – will be emblazoned by the return of the red elephant of the HF badge.
HF is a nod to the ‘Lancia Hi-Fi’ Club, an exclusive club for the brand’s most loyal customers of the 1960s that was later adopted by their racing and rallying team.
The HF branding on Lancia’s road cars – or indeed their rally cars – hasn’t been offered since their Nuova Delta 2.0 HF model ended production in 1999.
Lancia’s rally icons such as the Stratos HF and Delta HF Integrale each displayed the little elephant during the brand’s glory days.
Indeed, Lancia have also revealed that they will be taking the Ypsilon HF to the World Rally stage in 2025.
Lancia are already synonymous with the World Rally Championship– having won 10 WRC constructors’ titles from 1974 to 1992 with legendary drivers such as Walter Rohrl, Miki Biasion and Juha Kankkunen at the wheel.
However, Lancia won’t return directly to the top-flight of the WRC, and will instead take the Ypsilon HF to the two-wheel-drive Rally 4 class.
The rallying Ypsilon will also trade its EV powertrain for a 1.2-litre turbocharged combustion engine that produces 215 bhp.
Lancia say they will be releasing HF versions of the Gamma and Delta models at a later date.
The Italian brand first revealed their plans to make a long-awaited return last year, with the manufacturer hoping its new models will take it to its heyday.
This comes as another iconic Italian car brand is set to be forced to make a design change to its motors due to a new road law– ending a 70-year tradition.
And elsewhere, a sporty motor that Jeremy Clarkson said was the “best looking car that money can buy” can be bought for less than £6,000.
