Lancia has unveiled Italian pricing and specification of the Ypsilon MY 2008 which has now gone on sale in the dealerships across Italy. The facelifted Ypsilon was launched in the autumn of 2006 and just over a year later the range is given some improvements, with the main emphasis being on price and equipment levels.

The facelifted Ypsilon is reliant on Lancia's domestic market for the bulk of its sales. Last year Italian buyers accounted for 69,673 units of the stylish 3-door model, making its the sixth best-selling car on the market. Despite being a premium targeted model its sales were very close to two of its other B-segment rivals in 2006, the Toyota Yaris (73,225) and Opel Corsa (70,732). The strong sales run has continued into this year with a further 5,745 Ypsilons finding customers during January.

The main improvement to the Ypsilon range for 2008 is the incorporation of an anti-particulate filter (DPF) to the 1.3 Multijet 16v turbodiesel option, in both 75 CV and 90 CV format. This improves the Ypsilon's environmental credentials and optimises its appeal in light of growing legislation in the big Italian cities.

The other improvement for 2008 is in the competitive equipment levels and pricing structure. The Ypsilon Platino MY, which comes with a 1.2 8v and 60 CV, is priced at 14,300 euros on the Italian market, while the MomoDesign branded version, with the 75 CV 1.3 Multijet, now costs 15,900 euros.

Top versions receive improvement equipment levels, the Ypsilon Oro MY offers manual climate control, radio and CD player (with auto controls), new trim materials and rear seat headrests. The Ypsilon Oro Plus MY adds to this list window bags, new trims and electric door mirrors. Usual options on the range include the large 'Gran Luce' glass roof section and the Blue&Me infotelematic package developed between Fiat and Microsoft.

A new body colour also joins the range, Bianco Raffaello (white) and a new bi-colore treatment, black and silver, the latter bringing the two bodywork colour options to 16, reaffirming Lancia's commitment to this effect, which embodies a true sense of Italian style.

The arrival of the Ypsilon MY into the Italian showrooms is accompanied by a new TV commercial which has been directed by the experienced Ago Panini. It involves Stefano Gabbana and Carla Bruni, and in the sport the protagonists see the revised MY model through the eyes of a child. The version used is finished in the new Bianco Raffaello colour and the TV commercial announces this addition to the colour range.

Lancia Ypsilon MY 08 - TV commercial (screenshots)