It seems a little strange that it's almost been eight years since a new Ypsilon->ke1408 rolled its way out of Lancia->ke45's power plants. Apparently, though, it's true.

Strange as it sounds, over the 25 years that it's been around, the Ypsilon has only spawned three generations with the fourth and newest one scheduled to make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The new Lancia Ypsilon is completely different because it was built from the ground up and comes with much more aesthetic options to fit into the 'supermini' segment that it hopes to get into. That means that you can expect nothing but surprises with Lancia's new ride, including a five-door option for the model that's never been done before in the Ypsilon's 25-year, three-generation lifespan.

Whatever the case may be, you can expect good things for Lancia and the fourth-generation Ypsilon, a car whose debut certainly was a long time in the making.

Details on the Lancia Ypsilon after the jump, including the just-announced list of prices for the car.

2011 Lancia Ypsilon

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 Lancia Ypsilon
  • Engine/Motor: 1.3-liter MultiJet II turbo diesel engine
  • Horsepower: 95 horsepower
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

Measuring 3,480 mm long, 1,670 mm wide, 1,510 mm high, and riding on a 2,390 mm-long wheelbase, the new Lancia Ypsilon has a cabin space in relation to its dimensions that no other automaker in its segment can match. Despite its modest size, according to Lancia, the Ypsilon "can accommodate up to five people".

Likewise, despite sharing its platform and hardware with a number of Fiat's small models, the Ypsilon still holds a unique styling all its own, thanks in large part to a bespoke language. Among the exterior features included in the new Ypsilon is a new take on the front grille that bears a striking resemblance to the Chrysler 200 and 300, as well as door handles on the rear end of the car. Over at the interior, the Ypsilon also comes with a 'pupu platter' of stylish options, including over 600 customization options that allow owners to choose and style their own interior with 17 different body colors, three interior trim levels, six different upholstery trims, and three types of alloy wheels with a range of other options available to a customer's whims and needs.

Performance

Lancia will be outfitting the new Ypsilon with a number of engine options, including a 1.2-liter gas engine with 69 horsepower; a 0.9-liter turbocharged two-cylinder engine with 85 horsepower; a 1.3-liter MultiJet II turbo diesel engine that delivers 95 horsepower; and a 1.2-liter dual-fuel gas-LPG engine with 69 horsepower. All these engine variants will carry the same Start&Stop system.

Pricing

The new Ypsilon has been tagged with a base price of €12,400 - $17,890 based on current exchange rates - for the 1.2-liter petrol Silver version. Customers interested in the Gold version will have to shell out €1,300 - $1,900 - and another €1,300 for the Platinum version. Meanwhile, the range-topping, 1.3-liter diesel Platinum version comes with a price tag of €17,300, or about $24,960 based on current exchange rates.

Competition

Two models that the Lancia Ypsilon->ke1408 are targeting in Europe are the Audi A1 and the MINI Cooper. Classified as a 'supermini', these three cars all have advantages to themselves that could swing the preference in their direction.

When it comes to power, the A1 comes with a number of engine options, including two small displacement TFSI gas engines that produce 86 horsepower and 122 horsepower, respectively. Conversely, the MINI Cooper comes with the most powerful engine option of the three, thanks to its 1.6-liter 4 cylinder engine that produces 121 horsepower.

In terms of design language, this is where subjective choice takes over. Whereas some people will like the refreshed Ypsilon and all the customizable options that come with dressing it up, others may prefer the Audi A1 because of its shared styling with some of its higher-end brothers in the Audi line-up. But if it were up to us, we give the nod to the MINI Cooper because of the way it was able to infuse its classic look with a sportier and more aggressive package.

As far as price tag, this is where the Lancia Ypsilon has the tail of both the A1 and MINI Cooper. If our estimation of around €14,000 (about $19,000 based on current exchange rates) for the Ypsilon is correct, then it will serve as a much cheaper alternative to the base price of the A1 - €16,000 ($21,600) - or the MINI Cooper - €15,000 ($20,000).