Lancia is set to revive its legendary HF badge next year with the release of an electric hot hatch based on the new Ypsilon. This will also mark Lancia’s return to international rallying, with a new combustion-engined Rally 4 challenger based on the Ypsilon HF slated for release in 2025. The Ypsilon HF will feature a front-mounted motor, similar to Abarth’s 600e, and will produce 237bhp. It will also have a lower, wider suspension setup than the regular Ypsilon hatch and will be able to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 5.8 seconds.
This new HF badge pays homage to Lancia’s history, combining elements from its original form in the 1960s and its use in the 1990s. The badge first appeared at the 1960 Geneva motor show as a marker for a group of loyal Lancia owners known as the ‘Hi-Fi club.’ It later became associated with the HF Lancia Racing Team and represented the brand’s success in the World Rally Championship, where it claimed 10 constructors’ titles and 73 event wins. Lancia developed iconic cars like the Stratos, Group B 037 and Delta challengers, and the all-wheel-drive Delta during its time in rallying.
However, Lancia’s return to rallying will not be at the top level of the World Rally Championship. Instead, they will compete in the two-wheel-drive Rally 4 class with the Ypsilon Rally 4 HF. The rally version of the Ypsilon will be equipped with a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder combustion engine producing 215bhp. It will feature a five-speed mechanical transmission and a mechanical limited-slip differential. Interestingly, the Ypsilon Rally 4 HF is likely to share components with the Peugeot 208 Rally4 and Opel Corsa Rally4, as they are sister brands within the Stellantis group.
The revival of the HF badge and Lancia’s return to rallying demonstrate the brand’s commitment to its heritage and motorsport roots. The new electric hot hatch and rally car pay tribute to the iconic models that came before them while embracing modern technologies and performance capabilities. Lancia enthusiasts and motorsport fans can look forward to the release of these new vehicles, which promise to carry on the brand’s legacy of speed, power, and success on and off the road.
