Newspaper La Nuova Sardegna reports that the Stellantis group has given the green light for Lancia’s new entry into rallying. The news was written by Italian journalist Marco Giordo, who has been following rallying and the World Rally Championship closely for decades.
Information suggests that Lancia’s upcoming Rally2 car is based on the Ypsilon model. The testing and development program is supposed to start this year, with a debut possible in the 2025 season. Rally2 cars compete in the WRC2 class of the World Rally Championship and reportedly, Lancia has set its sights on a return to the WRC.
Lancia has been part of the Stellantis group since 2021. At the same time, Luca Napolitano was appointed as the new CEO of Lancia. He has taken on the task of bringing the Italian car brand back to motorsport.
Lancia was a powerhouse in the World Rally Championship during the 1970s-80s and early 90s before withdrawing from motorsport. It has achieved a total of ten manufacturers’ championships and four drivers’ world titles.
Among Finnish drivers, Juha Kankkunen won the world championship with Lancia in 1987 and 1991. Italian legend Miki Biasion achieved consecutive championships in 1988-89.
Finnish drivers Markku Alén and Henri Toivonen were also strongly linked to Lancia. Alén secured a total of 11 WRC victories behind the wheel of a Lancia, and Toivonen won two before his tragic accident in 1986.
Competition in the Rally2 cars has intensified among different manufacturers. This year, Toyota’s new GR Yaris Rally2 car made its debut in the WRC.
