The Chrysler brand will re-launch with this, the new Ypsilon. It is a brand new car, based on the chassis of the next Fiat Panda, though it's badged Lancia in other markets.
The five-door supermini is the first of three cars that will eventually hit a revitalised Chrysler showroom near you. The VW Golf-rivalling Chrysler Delta is the second and then there's the 300 saloon - a heavily revised version of the 300C.
The Ypsilon is 30cm longer than the Fiat 500 to whack it up to Fiesta size, and it will debut a set of extra thin seats whose purpose is to free up cabin space.
Prices are expected to start at £11,000 for a 1.2-litre petrol version with 68bhp, while a 94bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel will be available, as will a 900cc TwinAir with 84bhp. The latter pair at least will boast CO
2 emissions below 100g/km, and therefore be free to stick a tax disc onto.
The Chrysler Ypsilon will be launched towards the end of 2011, with the 300 following in 2012. We'll see the Lancia versions in
Geneva.
Mark Nichol - 14 Feb 2011