Lancia could well return to rally racing alongside Toyota, Skoda, Ford and Citroën!

July 2024, Lancia surprised everyone by unveiling the Lancia Ypsilon Rally 4 HF. A car designed to bring the Italian brand back into the world of rallying, the category that forged its legend. With its three-cylinder, 1.2-liter turbocharged engine developing 212 bhp, five-speed mechanical transmission, front-wheel drive and mechanical self-locking differential, the Rally 4 HF had everything to appeal to young drivers. More than just a showcase, it was already a serious contender for Rally4 victories.

But Lancia didn't stop there. In July 2025, the brand unveiled a second car: the Lancia Ypsilon HF Racing. Intended to complete the range alongside the Rally4, this newcomer is aimed at novice drivers. Rally6-approved, it is equipped with a 145hp 1.2 Turbo engine, a short six-speed manual gearbox and a mechanical differential, all based on the Rally4 chassis. The aim is clear: to offer a formative and accessible experience.

What if all this was just a prelude? For several months now, the idea of a Lancia Rally2 has been gaining ground. Former world champion Miki Biasion himself raised the possibility. Today, the project seems to be taking shape. According to rumours, the car is already under development and could make its competition debut as early as 2026, or 2027 at the latest.

A major clue has rekindled the rumour: the SPA Racing Facebook page recently shared a photo of a heavily prepared Ypsilon... which looks suspiciously like a Rally2 in the making.

Should it see the light of day, this Lancia would compete directly with the current benchmarks: the Skoda Fabia Rally2, the Toyota Yaris Rally2, the Ford Fiesta Rally2 and the Citroën C3 Rally2. And since Lancia is part of the Stellantis Group, it's highly likely that this future Rally2 will share certain components with the Citroën C3 Rally2, which is already well established in competition.

To give you an idea, here are the technical specifications of the Citroën C3 Rally2, one of the direct competitors:

• Engine: 1.6 Turbo direct injection, 282 hp at 5,000 rpm.
• Torque: 420 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
• Transmission: 5-speed Sadev sequential gearbox, self-locking front and rear differentials.
• Brakes: ventilated discs up to 355 mm with Alcon 4-piston calipers.
• Suspension: McPherson with three-way adjustable Reiger shock absorbers.
• Weight: 1,230 kg minimum (1,390 kg with crew, regulated).

Clearly, if Lancia does indeed launch a Ypsilon Rally2, it will be entering a particularly competitive category.

Another point worth noting: the FIA has guaranteed the stability of the Rally2 regulations for 2025 and 2026. But beyond that, in 2027, changes are possible and could reshuffle the cards. This gives Lancia time to develop its car on a solid basis, and to arrive on the market at the right time.