Chrysler rebadges the Lancia Ypsilon supermini for the UK. We drove it in twin-cylinder TwinAir form. Supermini Lancia Ypsilon, a funky five-door car based on the Fiat 500. It arrived in the UK in right-hand drive as a Chrysler and was the smallest model the American company offered here. We drove it in 0.9 TwinAir form, with prices starting from £13,140.
Technical highlights
Fiat's TwinAir was the 2011 Engine of the Year, an 875cc turbocharged two-cylinder unit that produces CO2 emissions of 99g/km at Ypsilon (no road tax, no congestion charge) but still produces 84bhp and 107 lb-ft of torque. The soundtrack is also a very catchy song.
The options list contains some clever technology, including intuitive Blue&Me Bluetooth settings and 'magic parking', although with such an engaging car and tight turning circle, the final option is £575 which would certainly be better spent on ten tanks. fuel.
How does it feel to drive
Funnily enough, it's no different with the 500 TwinAir; it is great fun without being the last word in handling greatness. There's a bit of body roll when cornering and the suspension can be unstable on rough roads, especially on the optional 16-inch alloy wheels on our test car. But you'll surely have fun driving it with its spirited, precise, and well-weighted steering, quick-shifting five-speed manual, and a car that's very responsive to throttle adjustments.
The main downside, as with the equivalently powered 500, is that you have to keep the TwinAir engine running to maintain momentum. That means fast speeds and some cute noises, but the resulting MPG figures fall short of the claimed 67.3mpg.
How does it compare
The entry-level Fiat 500 TwinAir beats the Chrysler by £1245, but the Ypsilon does offer five doors, more space plus a different (and to us, slightly more masculine) look. The Mazda 2 1.5 Sport offers similar fun and performance in a similarly sized package, costing £13,295 but emitting 135g/km of CO2. That means an annual road tax bill of £115.
Is there anything else I need to know
There are two other engine options, both also crackers – Fiat's tried and tested 1.2-liter four-cylinder 'FIRE' petrol unit (68bhp, 57.6mpg, 115g/km) and the snappy 1.3-liter MultiJet diesel (94bhp, 74.3mpg, 99g/km). The base spec 1.2 kicks off the Ypsilon range at £10,640.
Specifications
875cc engine, 2 cylinders in line, turbocharged
full power 84bhp @ 5500rpm
Maximum torque is 107 pound-feet @ 1900rpm
0-60 11.5 seconds (claimed 0-62)
Top speed 109mph
