The 2011 Geneva Motor Show was the setting of the world premiere of the new Lancia Ypsilon, a "small flagship" that in just 3.84 metres packs the best of Italian style, innovation and eco-friendliness. For the first time it is proposed in a 5-door version designed to offer even greater convenience and comfort to devotees of Lancia charm, technological excellence and unique style.

At the heart of the Lancia Ypsilon's design is an original approach to the "premium" car concept that redefines the meaning of the word "luxury", fascinating those who seek originality and character, those who love technology and elegance, and those who admire quality and innovation. With Lancia Ypsilon, luxury becomes something unique that triggers an emotion, the pleasure of "owning" but without pretentious display, the search for uniqueness in any area, the statement of one's true personality without allowing himself to be swayed by the judgements of others.

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The new Lancia Ypsilon, which will be on the market from June across key European markets and from September in Great Britain and Ireland with the Chrysler brand, is the fourth series of the successful model - over one and a half million vehicles currently on the road - born in 1985 when the Y10 debuted at the Geneva Motor Show. It was a miniature flagship with style and content features never seen before on an economy car of the day, marking that forerunner spirit that was to accompany the model until today. It was the Lancia Y's turn in 1996: elegant, elite, with a strong personality that reinforced the concept of "customized luxury". Hence we arrived in 2003 when the third generation, the Lancia Ypsilon, brought to the world of city-cars the technology and "class" till then exclusively reserved for models in higher segments.

Now the baton is taken up by the new Ypsilon, which confirms it is the "Fashion City-Car" par excellence that continues to charm with its personality, sophisticated style and unconventional class, but it has become more grown up and mature, with a wider appeal. And below this polished exterior bearing the prestigious "Made in Italy" label lies all the substance of a car that boasts cutting-edge technology as recently pointed out by the four awards given in occasion of the "International Engine of the Year" competition.

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The innovative engine excelled over the competitors' engines in all categories in which it competed and it has been appointed as the "International Engine of the Year 2011". Together with the Twin Air, the motoring excellence of the new Lancia Ypsilon follows with the eco-friendly systems Multijet II e Start&Stop, and unique features in this category such as the brand new "Blue&Me-TomTom LIVE" and the "Smart fuel" system", in addition to the innovative second generation Magic Parking, Bi-Xenon headlights and LED tail lights.

A refined and innovative Italian "5-door" with the look typical of a "3-door", the new Ypsilon is a very compact car, so much so that it remains in segment "B" but with high standards of roominess and comfort: although just 384 cm long, 167 cm wide and 152 cm high, with a wheelbase of 239 cm, the new Lancia Ypsilon can accommodate up to five people and in relation to its size, has one of the most spacious boots in its segment and is one of the best in class in terms of passenger room. Without increasing the size of the rear passenger area, excellent accessibility and comfort have been achieved with the use of "slim seats", a technology used here for the first time by Fiat Group Automobiles.

In this way the New Ypsilon continues its domination of the key city-car category in response both to recent market trends where the "5-door" market represents two-thirds of segment B, and to the needs of a broader target than that reached until now, including young men and young families. It is precisely regarding the quality, comfort and usability of the interiors that the new car is determined to make all the difference. Hop inside and you become aware of the refined materials and colour combinations, the attention to detail and the numerous options for customization.

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At the time of the launch, the range offered over 600 possible customisations created by cross-matching 3 interior trim specifications (Silver, Gold and Platinum), all designed to offer the customer high product value, 16 Elegant liveries of which 4 are two-tone, 6 different upholstery trims, 3 types of alloy wheels and 3 engines: (69 HP 1.2 Fire EVO II and 85 HP 0.9 TwinAir, the latter also with DFN semi-automatic gearbox), a turbodiesel (95 HP 1.3 MultiJet II), all equipped with Start&Stop technology as standard. Afterwards also the 1.2 Fire EVO II Bi-fuel engine (petrol and LPG) will be available. Note that a wealth of equipment in the field of safety is standard on the entire range: electronic stability control complete with ASR and Hill Holder, ABS with EBD, from 4 to 6 airbags (front, window-bags and side), in addition to the ISOFIX attachments.

Therefore, the new car represents an evolution of the Ypsilon model in terms of technology, safety, comfort and usability, but even so it preserves its positioning of "accessible luxury" as an attractive price list demonstrates. In detail, the Silver trim level provides door opening remote control, height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel, electric front windows, 50/50 split rear seat, height-adjustable driver seat, 15" steel wheels, interiors in technical fabric with fitted electro-welded seams, radio set-up and rear heated window. In terms of safety, ABS with EBD, ESP complete with ASR and Hill Holder, front and side airbags, and also the Isofix attachments are offered standard. In addition to this great quantity of equipment, the Gold version adds: manual climate control, radio with CD and MP3 player, electrically adjustable door mirrors, steering wheel and leather-trimmed gear-lever gaiter, Castiglio upholstery and Comfort Pack. Finally, the Platinum trim level offers the added rear electric windows, fog lights, 15" alloy wheels, rear seat head restraints and leather upholstery.