► Lancia previews new design language
► Art sculpture and new logo revealed
► New Ypsilon, Delta and ‘new flagship’ confirmed
Lancia’s not dead yet. The brand has just revealed two images of a new concept car, which seems to take significant inspiration from its iconic Stratos and Beta Coupe models.
Lancia boss Luca Napolitano says the concept is ‘a 100 per cent electric car’ and that the concept ‘is the first vehicle of Lancia new era that includes features which will be present on future models in terms of design, sustainability, technology and electrification.’
The teasers follow an an event in 2022 Lancia called its Design Day. The brand outlined its electric future by showing off a new logo and a new concept sculpture (not a concept car) called the Pu+Ra Zero.
The Design Day event, presented by Lancia boss Luca Napolitano (below), gave us some hints as to what was to be expected from the Italian brand that was once thought wasn’t worth saving. Three new cars have been confirmed by the brand which are expected to launch between 2024 and 2028, and its logo redesign is meant to show the brand entering a new era.
All of this is part of the Lancia Renaissance plan, which the brand calls a ‘ten-year strategic plan which includes an efficient range of three new models – one every two years starting from 2024 – to cover 50 per cent of the market.’ The aim for this rebirth is to ‘make Lancia a credible, respected and desirable brand in the premium segment in Europe.’
But Lancia’s wording implies that not all of its vehicles in the short term will be pure-electric: ‘together with Alfa Romeo and DS, we want to strengthen Stellantis’ premium offering in Europe,’ says Napolitano. ‘From 2028, we plan to offer a 100 per cent battery-electric sales mix,’ meaning some of the cars launching in the short term could still rely on an internal combustion engine.
Keep reading for what we know about Lancia’s future EVs below.
What on earth is that?!
This sculpture is the Pu+Ra Zero. The name comes from combining the words ‘pure’ and ‘radical’ into one and gives us hints as to Lancia’s design cues that, according to Napolitano, is meant to influence Lancia car design ‘for the next 100 years.’
At the front, the Zero sculpture shows off Lancia’s ‘calice’ grille shape in three rays of light, cutting through the sculpture’s clean lines and sculptured bodywork. At the rear, the Zero echoes design details from the Stratos with a sharp wedge-like rear rising to a knife-edge point, complete with the new Lancia lettering and a pair of red rings giving the impression of brake lights.
What cars can we expect from Lancia?
The first will be the new Ypsilon. While unconfirmed, the new Ypsilon will likely follow in the footsteps (tyre tracks?) of its predecessor by relying heavily on the electric Fiat 500 for its platform and dimensions. Lancia says the rear ‘lights’ seen on the Pu+Ra Zero sculpture will be used on the new Ypsilon, and that 50 per cent of the ‘touchable surfaces’ inside the cabin will be environmentally friendly. The all-new Ypsilon is likely due to arrive in 2024.
Elsewhere, Lancia has confirmed the return of the Delta, which will likely rival cars like the BMW 1-series, Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3 as a mid-size family hatchback in the premium segment. On top of that, Lancia says there will be a new flagship for the brand, which is expected to arrive by 2028. While just speculation, it makes sales sense for this flagship to be an SUV – but we’ll have to wait and see.
We’ll update this page when we know more.