Rumours about Lancia’s comeback to rallying have been circulating for some time. Now, the car manufacturer has officially confirmed that it will once again start building rally cars.
On Monday, Lancia announced that it will release a front-wheel-drive Rally4 category car, the Lancia Ypsilon Rally4. The car will feature a 1.2-litre turbo engine producing 212 horsepower.
Currently, there is no official championship category for front-wheel-drive Rally4 cars in the World Rally Championship. However, they do have a class in the European Rally Championship and in most national series.
Lancia made this announcement alongside the unveiling of its new all-electric Ypsilon HF car.
“Lancia has always been in people’s hearts, also thanks to its competitive soul represented by some iconic models from a past that made of the brand the most successful one of all time in the rally world. And that sporty heart is starting to beat again today,” said Lancia CEO Luca Napolitano.
Lancia was a dominant force in the World Rally Championship during the 1970s and 1980s, and even into the early 1990s before it withdrew from motorsport. The brand has historically achieved ten manufacturers’ championships and four drivers’ world titles.
Finnish Juha Kankkunen won world championships with Lancia in 1987 and 1991. Italian legend Miki Biasion clinched back-to-back titles in 1988-89.
Today, Lancia is part of the Stellantis group, whose brands, particularly Citroen and Peugeot, are actively involved in the rallying world.
