17.02.2004 ONE YEAR ON FROM ITS PREMIERE THE LANCIA YPSILON RETURNS TO GENEVA WITH A NEW GEARBOX OPTION

Firstly the car captivates at first glance for its original style that is rooted in the past, flourishes in the present and sets the trend for the future. The result is a car with an original profile, fully in keeping with new demands for a softer, more sensual and feminine shape. The most striking thing of all is the unmistakeable Lancia sense of breeding. The sculpted front, for example, reveals a pleasing symphony of shapes, all dominated by a large upright grille. The light clusters are gem-like and clean-shaped in line with the style philosophy that typifies new Lancia cars.

The interiors also welcome the passengers and driver into an emotionally involving environment, a true lounge but also a functional, up-to-date passenger compartment to assure maximum comfort. These sensations are aided by the particular care that has gone into the details, the use of top-quality deluxe car materials and the creation of sophisticated, stylish colour matches between the body shades and interior trim colours - unique features for this segment. This is the background for the 'Ypsilon' logo, the full name in cursive script.

And so from design to engineering. The revolutionary power units and gearboxes available for the Lancia Ypsilon represent the cream of present-day engineering. The Lancia Ypsilon owes its great road capability, perennially predictable behaviour and driving ease and satisfaction to the performance delivered by power units that represents the state of the art for a city car.

Four engines are available. The first two are the tried and tested 60 bhp 1.2 unit and 80 bhp 1.2 16v unit, capable of great torque and fluidity despite relative small cylinder capacities. The other two engines are new on this model: a 95 bhp 1.4 16v and the revolutionary 1.3 16v Multijet. The 1.3 16v Multijet, in particular, develops a maximum power of 70 bhp at 4000 rpm while torque is 18.4 kgm at 1750 rpm. The power unit, a monument to high technology, is enclosed in a one-piece block measuring less than 50 cm length and 65 cm in height. It is in fact the smallest four-cylinder Common Rail diesel engine available on the market. The only power unit that can pack no fewer than six normal-sized components into a cylinder with a diameter of less than 70 mm four valves, one injector and one glow plug. Not to mention the fact that the new power unit already meets Euro 4 emission limits.

In addition to the 1.3 16v Multijet, the new model also offers a 95 bhp 1.4 16v. This is the latest addition to the Fire range - and also the highest performer. The new engine offers a cylinder capacity of 1368 cc and a 4 cylinder in line configuration with bore of 72 millimetres and stroke of 84 mm. The four valves per cylinder are driven directly by a twin overhead camshaft. The power unit was developed with particular attention to performance and fuel consumption, an area where the Lancia Ypsilon excels in its category. The 1.4 16v engine also meets Euro 4 emission requirements.

Lancia offers the 1.3 16v Multijet and 1.4 16v petrol units with a manual gearbox or a robotised sequential device dubbed by Lancia Marketing the Lancia D.F.N. System ('Dolce Far Niente' - the sweetness of doing nothing) for its peerless comfort and ease of use. It is a conventional manual gearbox fitted with an innovative transmission system.

The D.F.N. System gearbox works in two modes: the customer can opt for semiautomatic operation by engaging gears by means of a lever on the tunnel. Or the gearbox can be set to automatic. In the latter case, the driver can choose one of two strategies: Normal and Economy: Normal and Economy. Whichever you choose, the Lancia Ypsilon will be the ideal car in city traffic or over long and short out-of-town trips.

The third rule of seduction highlights prestige materials and 555 ways of experiencing the Ypsilon. Once you have been charmed by the stylish interior, inside you will find a delightful blend of elegance and innovation. You will appreciate the craftsmanship that is always a feature of Lancia cars and also note the use of top quality materials: exclusive two-tone leather, top quality Alcantara®, soft velvet and high-tech Glamour cloth types that account for no less than 26% of the car order mix. The model's exclusivity comes from this very blend of colours, fabrics and materials. It is no exaggeration to claim that anyone can find an Ypsilon that suits his or her requirements and tastes to perfection. Apart from anything else, the new model range comes in three specifications (Ypsilon, Argento and Platino) and is one of the most comprehensive in the segment. One of its main benefits is the great potential for customisation. The pocket flagship can offer no fewer than 555 combinations, achieved by matching eleven body-colours, six different interior trims (available in eight different shades) and five types of alloy wheel (including the versions available from Accessories). Whatever your choice and level of customisation, the Lancia Ypsilon is always appealing and original, and oozes the Italian flair that is famed throughout the world.

The new model also offers a set of exclusive devices that set it at the pinnacle of its category and represent the fourth 'rule of seduction'. One example is the Sky-dome (an option), a large glass sunroof that represents a first for this segment and offers a new way of experiencing car travel.

The Lancia Ypsilon may also be optionally fitted with a Bose® Hi-Fi Sound System (standard on the Platino version) that is built by the US company of the same name. The sound also wraps around all the occupants and gives them the sensation that it is travelling through a much larger environment, because the sound system and the passenger compartment have been designed together to ensure perfect harmony between the technical specifications of both.

The Lancia Ypsilon also comes with a sophisticated dual zone climate control system that automatically controls temperature, airflow, air distribution (differentiated into driver and passenger zones for the first time), compressor activation and recirculation by means of an electronic control unit.

The car also offers a wealth of other features that set it at the peak of its category: in the safety field, four airbags as standard (two front airbags and two window-bags), sidebags, ABS with EBD, ESP with Hill Holder and Brake Assistance. And more: Dualdrive, an electric power assisted steering system with City function; cruise control that maintains a set cruising speed; windscreen wipers that activate automatically at the first drops of rain; headlights that come on as soon as you enter a tunnel and - last but not least - a sensor to aid parking manoeuvres.

D.F.N. System: a mechanical gem

All the Lancia Ypsilon cars on show in Geneva are fitted with the new D.F.N. System manual gearbox that is available for the 1.3 16v Multijet and 1.4 16v petrol version. Its strong point is that it offers superlative comfort in automatic mode (consuming less fuel) once you have tasted the thrills of a sporty, dynamic drive on the manual setting. The Lancia Marketing Department reinterpreted the technical code D.F.N. System as Dolce Far Niente, an Italian expression meaning the sweetness of doing nothing, and it will be launched throughout Europe with this name.

This device is bound to appeal to the 'Pleasure Professionals', i.e. the stars of an Ypsilon advertising campaign who seek the same satisfaction and sensations from their car as they do from a life lived to the full.

To sum up: manual mode for mixed routes or for a dynamic and fun drive around town. Automatic mode where the traffic forces you to make repeated gear changes or when you simply wish to relax. And all using less fuel (while in Economy mode) than with a manual gearbox. A car with a Multijet engine uses 4.5 l/100 km in automatic mode and economy function compared to 4.6 l/100 km while the figure for the 1.4 16v engine has fallen from 6.6 l/100 km to 6.4 l/100 km.

The D.F.N. System features an innovative transmission system. On this, a hydraulic servo device automates the clutch controls and gear lever to retain all the attributes of a dry clutch and manual gearbox (weight, strength and reliability, low power consumption).

Two operating modes are available: semiautomatic (manual) and automatic. The first is more similar to manual operation and allows you to change gear using a joystick on the tunnel. Because no clutch pedal is present, the device is controlled simply by moving the lever: forward to change up (towards the + symbol), back to change down (toward the - symbol). A simple push is sufficient to ensure the transmission makes a fast, accurate gear change.

The second mode offers two settings: Normal and Economy. The Normal strategy offers outstanding driving comfort to assure scintillating gearshifts under all conditions. The Economy strategy is used when you wish to reduce fuel consumption while still maintaining top level handling and driving comfort. With both options, the system stretches to a higher ratio once the rpm level has been reached, when the engine delivers maximum torque or power. In automatic mode, the system recognises the road gradient (by means of a software algorithm) and modifies the gear shift point to ensure the best possible compromise between the driver's needs, ground conditions and vehicle situation (speed and engine rpm) at all times.

The D.F.N. System also offers other advantages over conventional manual and automatic gearboxes. Firstly, the system may read the driver's needs and thus adapt to his driving style. To do this, it analyses the engine rpm and maps the pedal position (interpreted as performance requests as the level rises).

Another specific feature of the D.F.N. System is its ability to assess vehicle deceleration and adjust downshifts. In semiautomatic mode, for example, the system allows downshifts, particularly when the driver demands a lower gear to take a corner at speed during a sporty drive. In automatic mode, the system anticipates the downshift to ensure the driver can always call on the most appropriate speed to maintain the required comfort level or fuel saving.

To ensure safety and prevent undesired gear changes, the system engages neutral when the engine is still running and the door has been opened. Lastly, the D.F.N. System device also activates warning lights and buzzers to notify the driver of emergency situations or manoeuvres that are not permitted and could damage the engine or gearbox.