Keeping it Simple
Not everyone wants or needs a hybrid or EV with a screen for a dashboard. Oftentimes, simplicity is the key, and Lancia had done exactly that with the latest car it had just launched. Meet the Ypsilon Turbo 100, and its specs are so refreshingly simple that it’s the kind of car the world needs more of these days.
The car is a response to the Italian market’s demand for a low-cost subcompact hatchback. According to Lancia, the Ypsilon Turbo 100 was “born from direct customer feedback and analysis of the Italian market.” That means uncomplicated mechanics, no electrification, and features you actually need.
Lancia
Making Them Like They Used To
Lancia says a significant portion of drivers (at least in Italy) still prefer manual transmission. So, that’s exactly what the company gave the Turbo 100. It’s an honest-to-goodness six-speed manual, and there’s no other transmission option. The brand says fitting a manual “is a gesture that puts the driver back at the center of the experience.”
Features-wise, it’s actually decently equipped. There’s auto headlights, auto climate control, cruise control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus autonomous emergency braking, stability control, and a barrage of airbags, which are required by EU law. Again, it’s offering the essentials that modern consumers expect – nothing more, nothing less.
As for the engine, it’s a three-cylinder 1.2-liter turbo that makes 99 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. Aware that this engine will be flogged around tight streets and country roads, the engine received rigorous reliability trials. It consisted of over 30,000 hours on the test bench and more than 1.8 million miles on prototype vehicles.
Lancia
Cheap and Cheerful
The main headline here, aside from its sheer simplicity and unpretentiousness, is the introductory price. The little hatchback starts at just €15,950, which is roughly $18,800 at current conversion rates. It’s not like the base model is barren, either, so there’s incredible value here. Not only that, one can drive it home with monthly payments of €99 (approx. $117 per month) for 36 months.
That said, other trims are available that add more assists, but even the fully-loaded, sporty-looking Turbo 100 HF Line still costs well below $25,000. Truth be told, this is the kind of car that should come with Fiat badges, but it’s nice to see that Lancia is being given the chance to make up for some volume. Given that the brand only has one model (sounds familiar?), it’ll need every sale it can make to survive.
There are other versions available, of course. For those who’d like an automatic, they’ll have to go for the mild-hybrid version, which currently has a special price starting at €19,900 (around $23,500). The Ypsilon is also available as a pure EV with a promo price of €21,950 (just under $26,000). Did we mention there’s a rally-bred Ypsilon, too? It actually won its first race fairly recently, so you can say it’s got a bit of racing pedigree.
Lancia
Lancia
Â
