The Lancia Ypsilon type 846 (often considered the 4th generation if the Autobianchi Y10 is included, or 3rd under the Y/Ypsilon name) is a premium versatile city car based on the Fiat Mini platform (shared with the Fiat 500 and Panda). Unlike its predecessors, it is exclusively offered as a 5-door, with rear door handles hidden in the pillars to maintain a coupe-like appearance. Positioned as a chic and urban car, it has enjoyed an exceptionally long career, supported by multiple facelifts (2015, 2021) and unwavering commercial success in Italy, its almost exclusive market towards the end of its career. Focus on the Diesel (1.3 MultiJet): Although the Ypsilon is a city car, it was offered with Fiat's excellent small 1.3 MultiJet (SDE) diesel engine. This engine is inherently robust, but it
The Lancia Ypsilon (846) is an endearing city car, whose longevity is explained by its charm and its highly amortized Fiat technical base. Regarding the 1.3 MultiJet Diesel: It is a paradoxical engine for this car. It is efficient and very frugal, but it needs to be driven over long distances for its emission control system (DPF/EGR) to function properly. If you buy a used diesel Ypsilon that has only been driven in the city, steer clear: the timing chain is probably worn out by oil dilution, and the DPF is clogged. If you find a model that has been driven on the highway with a strict oil change history (every 15,000 km), it is a good choice for a high mileage driver. For urban use (90% of cases): Without hesitation, favor the 1.2 Fire 69 hp. It is slow, but its reliability is legendary and its maintenance costs next to nothing. The recent 1.0 FireFly hybrid is also an excellent modern alternative.