Lancia has formally launched its Ypsilon Rally4 automobile that may information the World Rally Championship’s most profitable producer again to aggressive motorsport.
The Italian automobile maker, a winner of a file 10 WRC constructors’ titles (1974-1976, 1983, 1987-1992), has created an all-new Rally4 automobile that’s set to compete within the European Rally Championship and a newly created one-make Lancia Rally Trophy competitors in Italy subsequent 12 months.
Lancia’s return to rallying arrives 50 years after it gained its first WRC title with the legendary Stratos in 1974. The model added its fourth title in 1983 with its Group B, 037, earlier than dominating Group A with the Delta.
The Ypsilon Rally4 is predicated on the excessive efficiency all-electric Ypsilon HF, though the Rally4 model shall be powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder inner combustion engine that may develop 212 horsepower. It’s going to embrace a five-speed mechanical transmission and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Lancia, owned by the Stellantis Group, already has two representatives in Rally4: the Peugeot 208 Rally4 and the Opel Corsa Rally4. Each vehicles are based mostly on the identical platform and use an important frequent parts – engine, gearbox and suspension idea.
“2025 will mark the return of Lancia to motorsport as we purpose to reestablish our presence in modern motorsport competitions,” mentioned Lancia CEO Luca Napolitano.
“With a mixture of custom and innovation, Lancia seems to be to the longer term with ardour and ambition. With 2026 set to be the 12 months of the Gamma flagship, which shall be produced in Stellantis’ Melfi manufacturing facility, 2025 is devoted to the return of the haloed HF identify, which is able to first make an look on the Ypsilon and later present up on the Gamma and the brand new Delta with the “HF Integrale” label.
“Every time the HF will get talked about, one can’t assist however recall the legendary Stratos, 037, and Delta, which dominated rally racing for 20 years, successful a complete 15 World Championships in Drivers’ and Constructors’ competitions – a file which has but to be damaged.
“Now we have all the time been leaders in motorsport and rally, however now, with the trademark class and ease which units us aside, we’re making a comeback to Rally 4, the developmental class for tomorrow’s skilled drivers, as we glance to enhance upon our previous with ardour and pleasure.”
Lancia Ypsilon Rally4
Picture by: Lancia
Lancia’s new rally automobile is aimed toward younger drivers, costing €74,500 with the primary fashions set to achieve clients on the finish of January.
The automobile maker turned to its most profitable WRC driver and two-time world champion Miki Biasion (1988-1989) to superb tune its newest rally automobile.
“If you happen to dreamt of monitor as a toddler, you dreamt of the purple of a Ferrari. Nevertheless, in case you dreamt of turning into a rally driver, you then dreamt of Lancia,” mentioned Biasion.
“I’m honoured to have labored along with the Lancia and Stellantis Motorsport groups in fine-tuning the Ypsilon HF and Ypsilon Rally 4.
“I hope to encourage all of the younger drivers who hit the highway with our Lancia Ypsilon Rally 4 HF to develop into professionals and future champions. The Lancia legacy of victories and racing is again and I’m completely happy to be part of it.”
The automobile is ready to make its debut within the new Lancia Rally Trophy that shall be a part of the Italian Rally Championship, that includes a prize pool of €300,000. The winner will then have an opportunity to drive the Lancia Corse HF crew’s official Ypsilon Rally4 HF within the 2026 European Rally Championship.
Lancia Ypsilon Rally4
Picture by: Lancia
