A brand new Lancia Ypsilon will make its world debut at the Geneva Show next month (March 2011), previewing potentially an important new model for the Irish market.
Sadly, we're not hinting at a rebirth of the Lancia brand in Ireland, though the rejuvenation of Chrysler is effectively the same thing under the Fiat Group stewardship.
Chrysler will pitch the new Ypsilon as a luxury supermini rather than a sporting one, so expect comfort to be higher on the agenda than go-kart like handling.
Despite appearances - and the five-door shape - the new Ypsilon is based on the next generation Fiat Panda platform. Three engines will be offered in Ireland: a petrol-fuelled entry-level 69hp 1.2-litre unit; 1.3-litre turbodiesel producing 95hp; and the new TwinAir two-cylinder petrol engine with 85hp. All versions comfortably sit in Band A for tax.
Three trim levels will be offered: Silver, Gold and Platinum. Air conditioning and ESP will be standard across the range.
The Chrysler Ypsilon goes on sale in Ireland in September, at an estimated starting price of less than €15,000.
It's possible that the Chrysler Delta (an updated version of the Lancia) will hit Irish shores ahead of the Ypsilon, competing with the Ford Focus and VW Golf.
Also pictured in our gallery are the Lancia-badged versions of the Chrysler 300 and 200 (called Thema and Flavia respectively), which will make their debuts at the Geneva Motor Show.