Lancia’s return to rallying confirmed

The car maker, now a part of the Stellantis group, has been involved in rumours around a return for some time, and starting in with a front-wheel drive car is a smart move.

Stellantis already has two Rally4 cars in its suite of brands with the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa sharing many common components and competing around the world.

The Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF will be a highly anticipated project, however, there are no indications of when the car will be available for rally customers to purchase.

“From today, the hearts of many fans and rally enthusiasts will beat again,” the Lancia statement said.

“In fact, Lancia has decided to return to the world of Rallying, starting from the basics of competition, from Rally 4, the beating heart of Rally: a category that represents pure passion, with young drivers as protagonists who begin their careers with passion to become the professionals of tomorrow.

“A new beginning in perfect Lancia style, characterised by ambition, pragmatism and humility, in line with the brand’s mission and DNA.”

Lancia, with its 15 Drivers and Constructors’ World Rally Championships, is still the most successful manufacturer in the history of the WRC hopes to lean on some of its past success to make the Ypsilon the top Rally4 car.

“The Lancia Ypsilon Rally 4 HF is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder four-valve-per-cylinder engine that develops 212hp,” the statement continued.

“Equipped with front-wheel drive with 5-speed mechanical transmission and mechanical limited-slip differential, the high-performance model is the ideal solution for the enjoyment of all rally enthusiasts, but also a serious candidate for drivers who aspire to victory in the R4 category and in the two-wheel drive championships.”

Lancia last competed in the WRC as a manufacturer in 1992 when it won the makes’ title with Juha Kankkunen, Didier Auriol and Andrea Aghini as their main drivers.