Over the past few weeks, there has been a number of talks regarding the Stellantis group wanting to bring life to the Lancia brand with a fresh line-up of modern products. Currently, the historic Italian brand is sold within Italy.
According to Automotive News Europe, Lancia will return to selling cars outside of Italy in 2024 with three new models, including the fifth generation of the Ypsilon compact car with a full-electric version option, a flagship compact crossover and a compact hatchback, CEO Luca Napolitano said.
The historic Italian brand swapped over to an Italian-exclusive market in 2017 and since then has sold only the fourth-generation Ypsilon. This makes it the longest model on the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Mini platform that is also used by the Fiat 500 and Panda. The next generation will move to a Stellantis small car platform for a more modern feel.
“Lancia will deliver an understated, clean Italian elegance, with soft surfaces and great quality,” Napolitano said.
Napolitano says that he wants to attract a different kind of buyer for Lancia. Currently, two thirds of buyers are women, with an average age of 45 and with no children in their household. He sees future models as drawing buyers with an average age of 55, but with at least one child still at home, and evenly split between male and female.
“‘Progressive cultural influencer’ is how we define Lancia’s future customer,” Napolitano said.
Three new models in four years will drive Lancia’s expansion out of Italy, where it has sold only one model since 2017. The Ypsilon, which is due in 2024 will adopt a five-door small hatchback configuration which will measure below 4,0 meters long, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid petrol and/or full-electric drivetrain. The Aurelia will follow in 2026 as a five-door compact crossover with a length of 4,6 metres long and will be full-electric only. The flagship Delta will arrive in 2028 and will take the shape of a five-door compact hatchback measuring about 4,3 meters long and will also be full-electric only.
