New Lancia Ypsilon World Premier

Press Release

A success that comes from the distant past and looks to the future.

Any car’s success is the result of a lucky break, a flash of stylistic intuition backed by research into new taste trends, emerging customer needs and projections relating to market and rival model trends. And then this complicated equation is judged by the harshest yardstick: time. True success will stand the test of time: this was never truer than for the Lancia Ypsilon, a car that has notched up sales of one and a half million in more than 20 years of life and several different incarnations (Y10, Y and Ypsilon). And more. Since the launch of the Ypsilon in 2003, the tiny flagship has achieved sales of over 200,000, of which 35,000 in 2006 alone with an Italian market share of 8.3% in segment B (this percentage rises to 23% for three-door cars alone: its top position is unchallenged).

This is therefore a model in its first flush that can comfortably take on new challenges and opportunities to stay abreast of market trends. It is also eager to win more customers by playing its ace cards of style, technology, iconic status and range.

To ensure success in the future, it is essential to be aware that the playing field has changed and the product is no longer the only premium element of sales strategies: the product must be backed by a new approach to the target, to sales and to aftersales, including innovative features that are offered in a form that is considered to add substance. Italian customers will also be able to benefit from ‘Lancia V.Y.P Service’ (Very Ypsilon People Service) for roadside rescue and a courtesy service for car collection and delivery when a service is due. More specifically, customers will not have to worry about taking their car in for service throughout the warranty period.

Lancia will see to everything to keep their customers on the road. The cost of the scheduled services will also be included in the package. A mobile workshop will be on hand speedily to deal with breakdowns, punctures and cars running out of fuel. All in all, a revolutionary service to meet the true needs of premium customers.

Lancia Musa

The Lancia Musa was created in the spirit of Italian hospitality and accordingly treats its occupants as guests and not passengers, inviting them courteously to share the pleasures of life on board. This makes the car unique in its segment. Though definitely a luxury product, it never exceeds the boundaries of good taste because it is designed to meet the desires of those who love to enjoy life while keeping their feet firmly on the ground. The Lancia Musa brings the secrets of an Italian welcome to the automotive world: it receives its guests with good taste, warmth and generosity. The Lancia Musa is good taste personified with its sophisticated, well-proportioned shape, its warm tasteful colours, its top-quality details and its opulent materials. It is just the right size for use around town and for longer trips: the vehicle measures 3.99 metres in length, 1.70 in width and 1.66 metres in height and is bound to become the new benchmark in this particular compact car sector.

The Lancia Musa is warmth personified in the way it makes its guests feel: the lightness of its clear GranLuce roof and the airiness of the interior environment, the pleasing surfaces, the wraparound comfort of its ergonomic seats and the automatic climate control system make any trip a special pleasure. The space is also easy to dominate due to the high driving position, the user-friendly controls and the modular seats that can assume up to 32 different positions, including an unusual ‘chaise longue’ position.

The Lancia Musa is also the soul of generosity as far as its engines are concerned: high-performing power units designed for an easy, relaxing drive. Three Multijet turbodiesel engines: the 100 bhp 1.9 unit is well-rounded and flexible, ideal in any situation and the 70 bhp and 90 bhp 1.3 units are ideal for driving around town when fitted with the ‘Dolce Far Niente’ gearbox. A lively 95 bhp 1.4 Fire petrol unit is available for people who cover a lower mileage. Customers who wish to be kinder to the environment can also fit a 1.3 90 bhp engine with particulate trap.

To mark Lancia’s second century of existence, the model is available in a Centenary Collection edition with sophisticated exteriors and two-tone paintwork included in the price, plus an exclusive, top-quality passenger compartment in the best Lancia tradition.

Lancia Thesis

The marriage of elegance and innovation finds its greatest motoring expression in the Lancia Thesis, the flagship that has been chosen to encapsulate the idea of a great prestige saloon that has inherited all the distinctive traits of a Lancia: these include typical Italian craft quality and an ability to give a new face to cutting-edge engineering. Well-being is assured, for example, by using top-quality materials not merely for their appearance but also for the sensory reactions they arouse. On a more hi-tech note, the information and telematic technology on board the Lancia Thesis meets its occupant’s desires with immediacy because the machine adapts to man and not the other way round. It should be remembered that the Lancia Thesis is the logical conclusion of a stylistic direction started by the Lancia Dialogos concept car introduced at the Turin Motor Show in April 1998.

The Lancia Thesis is built for the most demanding market band, for customers who want to maintain complete mastery of in-car comfort and activities even when not at the wheel: from the arrangement of interior space to climate control and the use of tools to communicate with the outside world and gain access to the media – for work or pleasure. From this year, customers will also be able to buy the latest development of this model with a new 185 bhp 2.4 Multijet engine, brand new even more sophisticated interiors and original exterior features. ABS with EBD, ESP, ASR with eight airbags, navigation system with multizone automatic climate control, heated front seats, Bose® Hi-Fi with CD changer, bi-xenon headlights and cruise control. Two new special series are also available: Thesis Sportiva and Thesis Elegante with new alloys, brand new leather colours and original wood inserts.

The Lancia Thesis flagship is a deluxe saloon that puts the emphasis on elegance and high-tech engineering to appeal to a motoring élite. Last but not least, a Centenary Collection edition has been produced to celebrate the Lancia centenary.

Lancia Phedra

The best example of ‘lived-in Italian art’ is the Lancia Phedra, the prestigious MPV that may be distinguished by its cosseting interior environment that is a pleasure to see, touch and experience, offering attention to the tiniest detail, designed for convivial habitation by several people and outfitted with a set of devices for safety (it won 5 stars from Euro NCAP in 2004), comfort and telematics that set it at the top of its category.

The space available on the Phedra is that of an MPV that thinks it’s a limousine. The front seats may be turned through 180° (standard) to allow passengers to chat or work face to face. Top-quality materials such as Alcantara or leather – enhanced by a discreet touch of mahogany – line the passenger compartment at waist level and enfold passengers in a feeling of warmth, protection and welcome. The Lancia Phedra is the ideal car for dynamic customers who want to feel at ease in our age marked by curiosity – and the desire to get up and go, seek out interesting places and share the experience with others. And all this without having to do without the trappings of an exclusive lifestyle and a habit of surrounding oneself with top-quality items that represent the very best the market can offer.

Plenty of comfort and sophistication, but also one of the best performances in the segment. This is assured by power units that guarantee an entertaining drive in all situations, combined with great running economy: 108 bhp 2.0 JTD 16v (only with hydraulic automatic transmission) and the new 120 bhp 2.0 JTD 16v and 136 bhp 2.0 JTD 16v Euro 4 (with DPF) (only with six speed manual gearbox), which is available on the basic specifications, Executive and Emblema.