Lancia is officially going global again, and it’s doing so in the most fitting way possible — with a rally car. The Italian brand has confirmed that its world debut will take place at the Monte Carlo Rally in January 2026, marking its first official return to international motorsport in over 30 years.
The car leading that comeback is the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, a competition-ready evolution of the company’s recently launched hot hatch. It’s based on the same platform as the production Ypsilon HF EV, which already signals Lancia’s renewed commitment to performance. The new HF badge revives the brand’s racing spirit while connecting it to modern electrified powertrains.
Lancia’s Monte Carlo Return
The Monte Carlo Rally is hallowed ground for Lancia. It’s where the company built much of its legend through the 1970s and 1980s, dominating the World Rally Championship with cars like the Stratos and Delta Integrale. Now, the reborn Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale will compete in the WRC2 category, a proving ground for brands looking to reestablish credibility before stepping back up to the top level.
The timing of this relaunch is symbolic. Lancia isn’t just returning to the sport; it’s reasserting itself as a global nameplate. After years of being confined largely to the Italian market, Stellantis is repositioning Lancia as a European performance-luxury brand, supported by new production models and a fresh design language.
Heritage Reimagined
Lancia’s revival plan extends beyond one rally entry. The brand’s future lineup is set to include the Gamma and a next-generation Delta, the latter of which will resurrect one of the most iconic rally names in automotive history. Stellantis has greenlit a full-fledged successor to the Delta, not just in name, but in spirit and performance focus.
While Stellantis has the resources to bring Lancia back to global prominence, it’s worth remembering that smaller players have helped keep the flame alive. Kimera Automobili, the boutique manufacturer that’s been building modern reinterpretations of the Delta Integrale and preserving the brand’s heritage for enthusiasts long before this official revival.
Why It Matters
The Monte Carlo debut is a statement of intent from a brand that once defined rally dominance and Italian engineering elegance. Competing again at the WRC2 level gives Lancia a credible motorsport foundation while generating excitement for its new global road cars.
If the relaunch succeeds, Lancia will have achieved something rare in today’s industry, a revival that’s both authentic to its past and aligned with the electric, high-tech future shaping global performance cars. And for fans who grew up watching Martini-striped Deltas carve through Alpine snow, the brand’s long-awaited return to Monte Carlo feels like destiny fulfilled.
