Lancia Ypsilon Ecochic "open house" slated for 17 and 18 December

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An "open house" devoted to the Lancia Ypsilon Ecochic fitted out with the new Euro 5 bi-fuel (petrol and LPG) 1.2 Fire EVO II engine will be held in Italy on 17 and 18 December. Available in three different trim levels (Silver, Gold and Platinum), the price list of the new fashion city car version starts from € 14,600 (on the road) and whichever trim level the customer selects, it always ensures a "tailor-made" driving style and set of features bound to appeal.

The new Ypsilon 5-door with bi-fuel supply (LPG and petrol) takes up the baton from the warmly received bi-fuel Ypsilon 3-door, and joins the Musa and Delta in the exclusive Ecochic range. The Italian preview of the Delta was presented at the recent Bologna Motor Show, and will become available at Lancia dealerships starting in February 2012.

And so the Lancia Ecochic collection once again returns to the catwalk in keeping with the principle that "a clean environment is a luxury we want to allow ourselves". Compared with petrol and diesel fuel, LPG cuts particulate emissions to zero and slashes the emission of other pollutant substances (up to 15% less carbon dioxide, up to 20% less carbon monoxide and up to 60% less unburnt hydrocarbons). Thanks to these characteristics, LPG prolongs the life of the engine and improves the quality of the environment. Last but not least, running on LPG barely affects passenger comfort or vehicle performance.

Moreover, compared to the Ypsilon (3-door) fitted with the 77 HP 1.4 8V bi-fuel (LPG/petrol) engine, the new Ypsilon Ecochic features the Euro 5 1.2 Fire EVO II bi-fuel (petrol and LPG) engine, which improves fuel consumption (6.8 l/100 km in the combined cycle) and CO2 emissions (110 g/km). Both values are recorded with LPG fuel supply, which place it at the top of this particular market segment.

Specially designed to achieve ultimate integration and reliability with the LPG system, the Euro 5 1.2 Fire EVO II bi-fuel (petrol and LPG) engine is factory-fitted, so every car is certified, tested and guaranteed by Lancia, and this is why it can take advantage of government incentive schemes in the various European markets. In detail, the engine has a cylinder head with valves and valve seats made with configurations and materials optimised for LPG operation. Equipped with a special intake system for the LPG injectors, not only does the particular Lancia Ypsilon bi-fuel engine have all the additional electrical wiring already built-in, but develops a maximum power of 69 HP (51 kW) at 5500 rpm and delivers a maximum torque of 99 Nm at 3000 rpm. Equipped like this, the Ecochic version of the Lancia fashion city car reaches a top speed of 163 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 14.5 seconds.

The new Ypsilon version is designed to run independently on either petrol or LPG: the engine is always started up on petrol and switches automatically to LPG after about 40 seconds. It is of course possible to switch from one fuel to another whilst driving by pressing a special button built into the dashboard. If the driver finds there is no LPG left in the cylinder, switching to petrol operation takes place automatically to ensure a smooth drive. It should also be stressed that LPG is a much cheaper fuel than petrol, diesel or methane (the price per litre is about 50% less than unleaded petrol). The distribution network is also widespread throughout Europe, with more than 10,000 points of sale.

The toroid type (ring-shaped) LPG cylinder has a 30.5-litre capacity and is located in the spare wheel housing so that it does not take up space in the luggage compartment (the inflation kit is fitted as standard).

Compared with an after-market conversion, a car with a factory-fitted system has many advantages. For example, the use of specific materials and components and the application of dedicated technology enabling the customer to benefit from a Lancia contractual warranty. Since the modifications to the chassis are carried out directly in the factory, the car boasts the highest standards of comfort and safety as borne out by the numerous and stringent tests that the various system components are subjected to.

The commercial launch of the new Ypsilon Ecochic will be accompanied by the recent TV, press, radio and Internet advertising campaign that has been running for several weeks. Created by the agency Armando Testa and marked by an atmosphere and parlance close to the mood of the latest Thema, Voyager, Musa and Delta commercials, the campaign reiterates the concept that in Lancia's opinion, elegance is not found in superfluous or exaggerated things, but in the very essence of things. And this is expressed in the payoff: "New Ypsilon 5-door. Essential elegance".