The highlight of Lancia’s stand at the Frankfurt IAA this week is a brightly coloured Ypsilon which has been emboldened by the fashionable touch of Italian racing equipment firm Momo. The Ypsilon MomoDesign carries on the b-colore theme initially presented at Geneva, but also combines with it the sporty feeling that was displayed on the Ypsilon Zagato Sport concept car. The latter was also unveiled at Geneva in March earlier this year, and created a great deal of interest as to whether it would reach production stage.

With the Ypsilon MomoDesign, Lancia have managed to convey the sporty character of the Zagato concept car without being too brash. The car is aimed at both male and female drivers, and makes a change from the average hot-hatch through its tasteful understatement both inside and out. 

From the exterior, the car is typified by three new shades of paint. The car being presented in Frankfurt is resplendent in Orange (maybe to bring it closer with the Zagato Sport concept), but Red and Pearl White are also available. Pastel Black, which was already an existing colour within the Ypsilon range, is also offered. With the Red and Orange colours, the roof is offset by a standard satin dark grey metallic roof and tailgate. This not only echoes the Ypsilon Zagato Sport concept, but also Lancia models of the past such as the factory Fulvia Rallye’s with their satin black bonnets, and the original Y10 (the Ypsilon’s original predecessor) with its satin dark grey tailgate. The satin grey roof finish is an option in combination with Pearl White and black.

The sporty theme continues with the refreshing satin anodized aluminium finish of the grille, door handles and tailgate trim.
 

This makes such a wonderful break from chrome, which every manufacturer seems to apply with unnecessary vigour these days. The standard 15” alloy wheels, already familiar in the Ypsilon range, underline the light and elegant look of this sporty hatchback.

Inside, the good taste continues. The seats, facia, door panels and other main areas have been retrimmed in special Silver Moor leathercloth, with metallic silver embossing. The anodised silver theme continues in the interior, with main elements finished in the same manner. The new Ypsilon MomoDesign also features black cloth seats with new duo-tone colours (orange, red and silver). The seats, along with the special floor mats, are enhanced by silver overstitching. The sport equipment level is finished with a leather steering wheel and gear lever knob decorated with perforated leather or silver over-stitching. New graphics for the instruments, anodized silver set off by red pointers, complete the sporty theme.

Three petrol engines (1.2 8v / 60 bhp, 1.2 16v / 80 bhp, and 1.4 16v / 95 bhp) and one diesel engine (1.3 Multijet / 70 bhp) will be offered. The latter provides a good balance between performance and fuel economy. Optional extra’s presented on the show car include 16” alloy wheels, dual zone air-conditioning, colour coded mirrors and much more, from which the discerning Lancia customer can choose from.

by Edd Ellison, James & Patrick Granger