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Two Ypsilon 'B-Kini'
versions will line up on the sophisticated and elegant Lancia catwalk at the
Paris Motor Show next week.
These two limited series versions are distinguished by their brand-new two-tone
body and interiors of great prestige and quality.
The two cars are a direct reference to the four unique edition cars introduced
at the Bologna 2003 Motor Show that were named after natural elements: Fire,
Air, Earth and Water.
The ancient Greeks believed that everything experienced by
our senses is based on a combination of these four elements. This immortal
concept inspired Lancia to produce the Ypsilon Unique Edition cars that were the
true stars of the Bologna event.
In the wake of that critical and public acclaim, Lancia now introduces two B-Kini
versions in Paris. These are due to go on sale from October in Italy and later
in the other European countries.
Both versions come in the Platino specification and are equipped with the
stirring 70 bhp 1.3 Multijet engine. They come with a bi-zone climate control
system, Bose® Hi-Fi, Cruise Control, 16" alloys, leather steering wheel and
gearlever and radio controls on the steering wheel.
In detail, the upper part of the first pocket flagship is clad in a warm and
seductive three-layer Guttuso red while the lower part is resplendent in
sophisticated Paganini ivory.
The superb quality interiors combine the softness and sophistication of leather
trim with the style of Glamour cloth to create a colour combination that matches
the exterior to perfection.
This was the version that attracted most attention from the public who were able
to see it at its advance world premiere over the summer holidays at the
exclusive showroom in Corso Como 14, Milan.
The second Ypsilon B-Kini present in Paris is graced by an elegant,
sophisticated body, all based around non-metallic Paganini Ivory shades below
and the exclusive micalised Caravaggio Brown shade at the top.
This timeless
colour match is subtly mirrored inside the car where the exterior colours are
repeated.
The Glamour cloth, directly inspired by the world of sailing, takes
the form of a mesh cloth similar to the type used to line oilskins; a high-tech
fabric reminiscent of the waterproof garments used in sailing - and a warm
fabric that comes in several shades: ivory, black, red and yellow.
Last but not least comes a third Ypsilon B-kini that is not present at the Motor
Show but is available in the range. This also features exclusive magnesium-brown
Glamour fabric inside.
This match ideally offsets the exterior shape that is picked out in Rossini Grey
at the bottom and the new Caravaggio Brown shade at the top. The final result is
a crisp new colour contrast that is quite simply irresistible.
Luca Way and the original advertising campaign
A 3-D graphic segment moves. Takes on life, shape and personality. It plays,
with the car and with those who inhabit it. It transforms. It comes together, it
comes apart and is then reborn, thousands of times over.
Meet Luca Way, star of
the Lancia Ypsilon advertising campaign created by Armando Testa.
Luca Way is the personification of the Ypsilon spirit: play, pleasure, dynamism,
humour, a dash of glamour and a break with conventional canons. Altogether an
advertising campaign that overturns the way cars are normally advertised, just
as the Ypsilon concept is at odds with the rest of its segment.
It therefore comes as no surprise to find Luca Way with the new Ypsilon Bi-Kini
too. The two-tone Ypsilon is the natural and ideal playground for the Luca Way
character, which owes much to modernist, experimental artistic movements: from
Mirò to Picasso and Matisse.
Luca Way plays with the car, now creating a brush to draw lines, swathes of
colour, an interplay of graphic and colour motifs that trace and underscore the
spirit of this new car.
Two colours, a new style, an original way of moving that is bound to capture the
attention of the public - or in the words of the campaign slogan: impressionist
movement.
Lancia Ypsilon exceeds expectations
A model that has seduced its customers with its quality and elegance, setting
new standards in the de luxe compact class.
Suffice it to say that more than
100,000 orders have been received throughout Europe since October 2003. And
more. In Italy, the new model is one of the three biggest sellers in segment B.
It is interesting to note the sales mix of engines and specifications recorded
to date. European customers divide equally between those who choose Ypsilons
equipped with the revolutionary 1.3 Multijet power unit (36%) or cars fitted
with the reliable 1.2 8 valve unit (30%).
These are followed by customers who
bought Ypsilons with a 1.2 16v engine (19%) and those who opted for the
vivacious 1.4 16 valve unit (15%).
As far as the sales mix by version was concerned, top-of-the-range versions
swept the board (98%): Argento and Platino, with a clear preference for the
former, which accounted for nearly 84% of sales.
Customers tend to choose the more opulent and alluring versions and this is
borne out by the success of the Glamour pack (alloy wheels, special fabrics
matching body-colour and metallic paintwork) that attracted 26% of the
customers. Similarly, the colour Ivory proved to be particularly attractive to
customers, representing 30% of sales.
In a word, the Lancia Ypsilon is much more than a promise and this is borne out
by the three prestigious accolades received in recent months.
'L'Auto che
preferisco 2004' in the 'small car' category awarded by the magazine
Quattroruote; the European Automotive Design Award, conferred by a jury of 200
student and professional automotive designers representing 30 countries - and
last but not least 'L'Automobile più bella del mondo' in the 'small car'
category elected by a jury of design experts.
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