Another brand is sticking a sporty label from the past on an EV from the present: Lancia is transforming the electric Ypsilon into HF. Two letters that spontaneously make enthusiasts of classic Lancias reminisce about the famous Lancia Delta HF Integrale, the four-wheel-drive turbo monster with which the brand won rally after rally.
Lancia has every reason to be proud of the rich rally history of the Delta HF, with 46 victories and six constructor titles in the WRC. The HF logo dates back to 1960, and in 1963, the HF Lancia Racing Team was founded. The first Lancia with the HF logo was the Fulvia Coupé HF in 1966, followed by the Stratos HF in 1974 and the Delta HF in 1983. The last until now was the Delta HPE Turbo HF (1995-2000). It will be a horror to many enthusiasts that the new HF is electric. The Ypsilon HF has the noble task of proving itself anyway.
The beautiful HF history of Lancia captured in one image.
Also as a less intense Ypsilon HF Line
The Ypsilon HF has a 280 hp electric motor that drives the front wheels. It is a powertrain that Stellantis is rolling out across part of its model range. The Abarth 600e Scorpionissima, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, Opel Mokka GT/E, and Peugeot e-208 GTI either have or will receive the same power source. If you find the HF a bit too intense, but still want a slightly sportier Ypsilon, there is now the HF Line with the well-known 110 hp hybrid. With its price of €33,800, it costs the same as the LX.
The HF Line has a 110 hp gasoline engine. The chassis has not been adjusted.
Beautiful sports seats that hold you well during fast cornering.
The Lancia Ypsilon HF looks nice and thick
In any case, the Ypsilon HF is a thick appearance, with those 18-inch wheels, a 20 mm lowered chassis, and 30 mm extra track width, which is reflected in the thicker moldings on the wheel arch edges. The front ones have an extra bulge behind the wheels that is typical of the HF. The front is also different from that of the regular Ypsilon, with more black plastic. Oddly enough, it does not have the four ‘holes’, which are a nod to the old Delta Integrale and which we do see on the other Ypsilons, even though they are closed on the electric version. At the rear, the prominently present diffuser stands out, which protrudes a considerable distance when viewed from the side. In the front, the HF has fine sports seats, a sports steering wheel with the HF logo, and aluminum pedals. The upholstery also differs from that in the other versions.
Slightly lower, slightly wider, thick wheel arch edges: the Lancia Ypsilon HF looks good!
Faster than a Lancia Thema 8.32
You had already seen from the specifications that it is not just about appearance. The electric motor on the front wheels delivers 280 hp and 245 Nm of torque. The Lancia Thema 8.32, with its Ferrari V8, and even the Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione can pack up with their paltry 215 hp. But how do you get all that torque translated into grip and traction in fast corners in a decent way? A set of good tires will get you a long way, but a limited-slip differential is also indispensable, and the electric HF has that too. The braking system has been adapted to the violence. For that, Lancia knocked on Alcon’s door in England. That brand is known from the racing world and, for example, supplies the braking system for all cars from Formula E. And in the early days to the rally team of Audi, in the early 80s.
How exciting is the Lancia Ypsilon HF?
On Stellantis’ test track in Balocco, we can give the HF the spurs. Lancia mounted a set of excellent tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, which have enough grip, as we notice during the launch. Because of course, the power pedal immediately goes to the bottom when driving away, on this circuit almost everything is possible and allowed. For a moment the front wheels spin, but soon the rubber recovers. The suspension is noticeably stiffer than in our long-term test Ypsilon, but it is not rock hard.
It gets really fun when the first corners appear. During hard braking, you feel that the larger discs have no trouble slowing down. With the absence of oncoming traffic, we can drive the ideal lines. In corners, you can send the full load of power to the front wheels again early; the limited-slip differential does not miss its effect. Abruptly releasing the gas in a corner does not result in a rear end that takes a step aside, as is the case with some cars. The combination of instant torque, a lot of power, a huge amount of grip, and a good chassis makes the Ypsilon HF a nice little bomb.
You have a lot of fun in the Ypsilon HF.
Nice, sharply priced, eight-year warranty
We understand that Lancia is going back to the HF history. With its price of just under €41,000, the Lancia Ypsilon HF is not a bargain, but compared to the less powerful Alpine A290 and Mini Cooper JCW, just to name two other electric hot hatches, it is relatively cheap again. The Ypsilon also does not have to be ashamed of the HF label. It is an entertaining thing, which we steered with a lot of pleasure. It is also good to know that Lancia gives an eight-year warranty (maximum 160,000 km) on the Ypsilon.