Chrysler gears up to release Lancia-based Ypsilon for UK

Chrysler is about to release a new supermini in the UK dubbed Ypsilon – a name that will sound familiar to Lancia fans, if not to Detroit muscle enthusiasts.

According to KHABAR KHODRO, Indeed, when Lancia was working on the fourth-generation Ypsilon, one of the requirements set by Fiat was that the front of it had to be able to accommodate a Chrysler grille.

Why not keep things simple and sell it as a Lancia? Well, the Italian automaker’s image in the UK was shattered because of massive rust-related recalls revolving around the Beta and they consequently bombed out of the UK market twenty years ago. Chrysler is still present there and while they may not have a stellar reputation, they at least have an established dealer network.

Much like the Chrysler Delta the Ypsilon is little more than a rebadged Lancia. It rides on a lengthened Fiat 500 platform and even though it doesn’t share its retro styling, it shares the popular Italian’s drivetrains.

The lineup sold by Chrysler in the UK is expected to be similar to the Lancia’s lineup sold in continental Europe. The Lancia version is available in three trim levels, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Buyers can choose between a 1.3 Multijet II turbodiesel (95 horsepower) and two gasoline engines, a 1.2 FIRE EVO II (69 horsepower) and the award-winning 0.9 TwinAir (85 horsepower). All three engines are sourced directly from Fiat.

Unlike previous Ypsilons the latest installment is a five-door, with the rear door handles hidden in the C-pillar like on an Alfa 147. It is 151 inches long, 65 inches wide and 59 inches tall and Lancia claims that five adults can fit in it in full comfort thanks to the use of narrower seats.

The Chrysler Ypsilon will go on sale in the UK early next month is expected to start at around £11,000, or $18,000. Chrysler confirmed a few months ago that they have no plans to sell the car in the U.S