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Lancia has released new videos of its 2012 Ypsilon, the posh supermini that made its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week alongside the subtly revised Delta and the Chrysler-sourced Thema sedan, Grand Voyager MPV, and Fulvia Saloon and Convertible (the last two shown as concepts).

The videos clearly link the new Ypsilon to fashion and luxury, essentially building on the image created by the supermini’s predecessors. Although the outgoing Ypsilon was perceived more of a lady’s car, the automaker wants to send the message that its successor targets both hairdressers male and female buyers.

At least this is what comes out from the first video, called “Fashion World”, where the car is pictured next to trendy young couples posing in different life snapshots. In the second clip, the Ypsilon is the main actor. Under the tagline “New Ypsilon - Essence of Luxury”, we see details of the interior, close-ups of the sculpted five-door bodywork and the two-tone paintwork, which is an option carried over from the previous model.

The Ypsilon will have a range of three engines: a 1.2-liter petrol unit with 69 hp (with an optional LPG system), a 0.9-liter TwinAir turbocharged two-cylinder petrol with 85 hp and a 1.3-liter Multijet II turbo diesel delivering 95 horsepower. The car will be badged as a Chrysler in the UK and Ireland and, as CoolPictures has learned, Lancia officials did not rule out the possibility of a U.S. launch in the future.

By Dan Mihalascu

When announcing the new Ypsilon’s key role in Lancia’s turnaround strategy at a press event CoolPictures attended in Turin, Italy, earlier this week, company officials told us that the small car could be sold in the States under the Chrysler brand if American buyers will show enough interest towards the recently launched U.S.-spec Fiat 500. Furthermore, the same could happen with the Delta.

On the other hand, Lancia's people told us the company has no plans to revive famous nameplates such as the HF Integrale and Fulvia, simply stating that there’s no market for Lancia sports cars.

Although in its current state, the new Ypsilon doesn’t comply with U.S. standards, Lancia Product Manager Claudio Nervi told us that it could be “easily federalized” and that logistically “it's not a problem, as the Ypsilon could be produced at the [Fiat Group’s] Mexican plant”. However, Nervi also pointed out the decision depends “on the performance of the Fiat 500 in the US”.

Should a Chrysler variant of the Ypsilon get the green light, the styling will not be altered. "Changes will be mostly technical, regarding especially the electrics of the car”, Nervi told Coolpictures.

The Chrysler version of the Delta hatchback, which was shown at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show, could also join the Ypsilon in the U.S. According to Claudio Nervi, the show car was well received by the American public, but a final decision has not yet been made.

As far as sports cars are concerned, the news isn't good for Lancia fans. “Lancia stands for comfort, craftsmanship and luxury. We want to grow based on these values”, said Nervi adding that Lancia isn’t “trying to deny it’s past, but it needs volume first”, which cannot be provided by a revived HF Integrale or Fulvia.

Lancia Communications Director Rino Drogo also pointed out that “customer preference has shifted over the years and clients aren’t looking for sporty Lancias anymore”.

“Let’s leave the sports cars for our cousin Alfa Romeo, who has sportiness in its DNA”, Nervi concluded.

By Csaba Daradics

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