Skip to main content

Lancia’s Rally Comeback: Ypsilon HF Integrale Brings Italian Fire Back to the World Stage

Submitted by J. Mikhail on
Lancia’s Rally Comeback: Ypsilon HF Integrale Brings Italian Fire Back to the World Stage

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 25, 2025 – Lancia is officially writing a bold new chapter in rallying history, unveiling the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale and confirming a full WRC2 programme for 2026 that connects its legendary past with an electric, performance-focused future for everyday drivers.

A legend returns: from Stratos and Delta to Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale
Presented at Stellantis Motorsport headquarters in Satory, the new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale will compete in the FIA World Rally Championship’s WRC2 category from 2026. For rally fans, it’s more than just another new car: it’s the rebirth of the most successful marque in the sport’s history, a brand that has collected 11 World Rally Constructors’ titles as well as wins at the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Carrera Panamericana.

Lancia is clear that this is not a retro exercise. The new programme is described as a bridge between heritage and the future, with concrete investment in young talent and technology. That forward-looking mindset is already visible in the 2025 Trofeo Lancia, where the Ypsilon Rally4 HF has created a buzzing paddock of more than 100 cars sold and over 40 competing teams.

Stellantis Motorsport: the European powerhouse behind Lancia’s return
Lancia’s comeback is powered by Stellantis Motorsport’s multi-brand know-how. At Satory, French, Italian, German and Spanish engineers work side by side on everything from customer rally cars to endurance racers and Formula E single-seaters. Their experience with title-winning Citroën and Peugeot WRC cars feeds directly into the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale’s design.

Balocco in northern Italy, where Lancia road cars are developed and tested, completes the loop. Between Satory and Balocco, cars are pushed over Alpine-style test roads, gravel and tarmac stages, and proving ground loops until performance, reliability and driveability speak the same technical language on both track and road. The result is a shared performance culture where every race kilometre eventually filters down to the showroom.

The Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale: built to win, built to inspire
At the heart of the new programme is the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, a purpose-built rally car designed around seven key areas: weight and balance, advanced aerodynamics, engine response, transmission, chassis and suspension, driver environment and a new, ultra-rigid safety cell. Its 1.6-litre turbo engine, sophisticated anti-lag system and all-wheel-drive transmission are tuned for both WRC2 and the FIA European Rally Championship, as well as top national series in Italy, France, Spain and Belgium from 2026.

The car is part of a complete performance “pyramid” that starts with the Ypsilon HF Racing (for the new Rally6 class), climbs to the Ypsilon Rally4 HF (star of the Trofeo Lancia) and peaks with the Rally2 HF Integrale for international titles. Customer deliveries will begin in early 2026 via the Stellantis Motorsport Racing Shop, under FIA cost-cap rules that keep top-level machinery relatively accessible for ambitious private teams.

The HF family: from stages to streets, including a 280-hp electric Ypsilon
The HF badge and red elephant are returning not just to the stages, but also to the road. The Ypsilon HF Racing offers an affordable, FIA-compliant entry point with a 145-hp 1.2-litre turbo and ready-to-race safety kit, while the Ypsilon Rally4 HF steps up to a 212-hp sequential-gearbox machine for serious national and international competition.

On the road, the all-electric 280-hp Ypsilon HF brings race-inspired hardware into a compact everyday car: 0–100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, a 54-kWh battery with around 370 km WLTP range, rapid fast-charging and a Torsen limited-slip differential, Alcon 355-mm brakes and a reinforced chassis for sharp, confident handling. The Ypsilon HF Line then carries the styling, hybrid performance and HF attitude into a more accessible 110-hp mild-hybrid package perfect for daily urban use.

As CEO Roberta Zerbi puts it, “Lancia’s return to WRC is the result of a journey built on humility, determination, and Italian pride. We are fully aware of our legendary heritage, but far from intimidating us, it inspires us to give our very best ancia is back in competition, with its unmistakable style and boldness.”

Mini FAQ: What this new Lancia era means for fans and drivers

  • Is Lancia really back in world rallying?
    Yes. The Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale will enter WRC2 from 2026, starting with Rallye Monte-Carlo and at least eight world events.
  • What if I’m not a rally driver—what’s in it for me?
    Technology, safety and chassis tuning developed for rally stages feed into the new Ypsilon HF road models, especially the 280-hp electric version.
  • Can young drivers get involved?
    Absolutely. The HF Racing and Rally4 HF are designed as accessible steps in a Stellantis-backed performance ladder from Rally6 up to Rally2.
  • Why does this comeback feel so emotional for fans?
    Two-time World Rally Champion and project consultant Miki Biasion says it best: “Seeing Lancia back in rallying feels like closing a circle. I’ve seen these cars take shape, I contributed to their testing, and I now work alongside the young drivers of the programme. It’s thrilling to know that once again, when someone dreams of rallying, they dream of Lancia.”

With a complete HF family and a serious WRC2 campaign, Lancia is proving that rallying can still be a test bed for innovation—and that Italian elegance, electric performance and gravel-stage grit can happily share the same badge.

Learn more about the new Lancia HF era and its rally programme at https://www.lancia.com.

Topics
Location
Markets