When Lancia had unveiled in September his intention to return to the WRC2 world championshipThe announcement already had the flavour of a historic turning point. But what was then just a promise is now taking on a much more concrete dimension. At Stellantis Motorsport in Satory, the Italian manufacturer has officially presented its weapon for 2026: the all-new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale. And this time, one message dominates everything: Lancia isn't coming back to make up the numbers. It's coming back to win.
A comeback that's part of an extraordinary story
Even after an absence of over thirty years at the highest level, Lancia remains the most successful name in the history of world rallying. Eleven manufacturers' titles, a Mille Miglia, two Targa Florios and a Carrera Panamericana. A domination that belongs as much to the history books as to the collective memory of enthusiasts. The return announced in September sounded like the first chapter in a revival. The Satory event is confirmation of this. Lancia intends to return to competition, not for nostalgia's sake, but as part of an evolutionary process. The manufacturer wants to capitalize on its unique heritage, while clearly meeting the demands of modern rallying.
Roberta Zerbi, new CEO of LanciaLancia's return to the WRC is the result of a journey marked by humility, determination and Italian pride. A return guided by lucidity, ambition and the desire to breathe new life into a brand that has never ceased to thrill fans.
Satory and Balocco: a technical bridge between two cultures
The new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale was born at the heart of Stellantis Motorsport, in an environment where French, Italian, German and Spanish engineers work together in a common performance culture. At Satory, technologies from the WRC, WEC and Formula E cross-fertilize and enrich each other. In Balocco, Italy, Lancia's own dynamic sensibility is forged.
The Rally2 HF Integrale was developed with this synergy in mind. The engineers who shaped the Citroën C3 WRC and Rally2, the Peugeot endurance cars and the Group's customer programs all contributed to the birth of this Ypsilon. A veritable performance pyramid, from Rally6 to Rally2, now enables young drivers to progress step by step to the top. And Lancia intends to occupy every floor of this pyramid.
The Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale
Seen for the first time under camouflage a few months agothe Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale now reveals its secrets. The car is in no way a traditional Ypsilon. Its structure has been thoroughly re-evaluated: reinforced chassis, lowered center of gravity, redesigned aerodynamics with an imposing spoiler, wider tracks, and a driver environment entirely redesigned for ergonomics and performance.
Under the hood, Lancia installs a 1.6 turbo with 287 hp and 425 Nm, combined with Sadev all-wheel drive. The new turbo management system, borrowed from the architecture of the Peugeot 9X8, promises instant response. The powertrain is complemented by self-locking differentials, three-way adjustable Reiger suspension and Alcon brakes designed for both asphalt and gravel.
This technical base is the result of thousands of kilometers of testing, notably on both sides of the Alps and on the Balocco track, where the model's reliability and dynamic precision were validated. The Rally2 HF Integrale thus represents the synthesis of years of evolution in the Rally2 category, enriched by everything Stellantis has learned in international competition.
Sports program calibrated to target the very highest level
Lancia has unveiled an ambitious calendar. From 2026, the brand will be competing in the FIA WRC2, as well as in the ERC and the main European national championships. The Rallye Monte-Carlo will open the ball, a symbolically perfect stage for the return of the brand to the Elefantino crest.
This commitment follows on from the success of the Trofeo Lancia 2025, a real talent-spotter. More than a hundred cars entered, exceptional visibility, a CIAR 2WD manufacturer's title won with the Ypsilon Rally4 HF, and a public that came out in force to celebrate the rebirth of the myth. The community is already there, waiting to see the Rally2 HF Integrale express itself where Lancia forged its legend: on the special stages of the world championship.
At Satory, Miki Biasion himself, two-time world champion and living symbol of the brand, added an extra touch of emotion: "Seeing Lancia return to the world of rallying is like coming full circle."
Lancia wants to win rallies and play for the title
Behind the solemnity of the moment lies a clear ambition. Lancia is not content to simply return to WRC2. Lancia is coming back to fight. The press release explicitly states: the aim is to win rallies as early as 2026 and to aim for the world title.
The solid technical base inherited from the Citroën C3 Rally2, the years of experience accumulated by Stellantis Motorsport, the evolution brought to every component of the new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, and the emotional strength of a name that has marked rallying history are all arguments that lend credibility to this ambition.
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