Chrysler Chrysler Ypsilon (United Kingdom, 2011-present)

The first generation Chrysler Ypsilon is a rebadged version of the third generation Lancia Ypsilon and is sold on the British and Irish markets. The model was first unveiled, as a Lancia, at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

The model is part of the new strategy from Chrysler and Fiat of sharing models and putting them for sale in most profitable markets, according to the brand.

The engine range of the Ypsilon includes two petrol engines: the 69 HP 1.2 8V and the 85 HP 0.9 TwinAir. The 95 HP 1.3 MultiJet II turbodiesel and the dual-fuel 1.2 8V petrol and LPG complete the range.

All engines come with Start&Stop as standard and all are Euro 5 emissions compliant.

Transmissions

In the TwinAir model, a semi-automatic five-speed gearbox can be specified. All other models feature a five-speed manual transmission.

1.2-litre Fire
The range starts with the 1.2-litre eight-valve unit with continuously variable valve timing. The engine develops 102Nm of torque at 3000rpm while power at 5500rpm is 69bhp. CO2 emissions are at 115g/km.

0.9-litre TwinAir
The other petrol engine available in the new Ypsilon is 2011’s International Engine of the Year, the TwinAir. This combines Fiat Powertrain Technologies’ (FPT), MultiAir technology with a small capacity two-cylinder engine plus turbocharger. This gives the 875cc TwinAir a üpower of 85bhp and torque of 145Nm.

The MultiAir technology system features electro-hydraulic valve management that reduces fuel consumption by controlling the air going into the engine via the inlet valves without using the throttle. It enables airflow to be managed cylinder by cylinder, cycle by cycle, phase by phase, according to the driver’s and therefore the engine’s requirements.

The TwinAir also features an ECO button on the dashboard. By pressing it, torque is limited to 100Nm at 2000rpm for increases in economy and reductions in emissions.

1.3-litre MultiJet
The third engine in the range is the 1.3-litre MultiJet II turbo-diesel with 95bhp and 200Nm of torque at 1500rpm. This second generation engine is equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger, a new variable displacement engine oil pump and an alternator with ‘smart charge’. The engine features faster injectors than the first generation. The injectors are also simpler and with 40 per cent fewer components they’re more reliable than their predecessor.

Start&Stop

Specifically designed for city driving, Start&Stop automatically switches off the engine when the vehicle is stationary. But all the systems, such as the lights, climate control and windscreen wipers, remain operational. When either the system detects that the battery needs some charge, or the driver dips the clutch to engage first gear, the engine starts automatically.

2011

Three basic trim levels are available: S, SE and Limited.

The entry-level S trim, is only available with the 1.2-litre engine.

Standard equipment features height adjustable steering wheel, electric front windows, 50/50 split rear seat, height-adjustable driver’s seat, 15-inch wheels, premium fabric upholstery and heated rear window, radio with CD and MP3 player, plus the full complement of safety kit.

In addition to that, SE specification adds manual climate control, electrically adjustable door mirrors, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear-lever gaiter, and Castiglio upholstery available in either Romantic Gold or Urban Black designs.

The Limited has rear electric windows, fog lights, 15-inch alloy wheels and leather upholstery.

Exterior

The 2011 Chrysler Ypsilon is a five-door supermini hatchback. It is 384cm long and 167cm wide.

The Chrysler Ypsilon shows two sweeping curves. The first takes the line of the bonnet and extends along the waistline, going up into the rear pillar. The second rises with the A pillar to follow the upper arch of the glass. It then drops to follow the outer edge of the tailgate window. It’s a theme the Ypsilon shares with its big brother, the Delta.

The rear door handles are concealed in the C pillar to give this five door the appearance of a more compact three-door car.

At the front, projector-type headlights sit either side of Chrysler’s new shield grille. These make it seem wider than it actually is. At the rear, LEDs are used and at the front feature integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRL) which automatically turn on when the engine is started. The rear reversing light and fog light sit below the back bumper.

Interior

The dashboard has a line that traces the curve of the windscreen and ties it into the door panels. A new roof lining reduces noise inside the passenger compartment.

LEDs are used to illuminate the dashboard. The main instruments sit in a central display above the console housing the entertainment and ventilation systems.

The Chrysler Ypsilon includes Magic Parking, Blue&Me™-TomTom LIVE, the Smart Fuel System and innovative headlight clusters.

Magic Parking

Pushing a button on the dashboard activates the system which then uses radar sensors mounted in the front bumpers combined with wheel speed sensors to measure the length of empty parking spaces. If it detects one that is free from obstacles and is the length of the car plus 40cm at either end, the driver is informed by a beeping noise and a message on the dash. If the driver decides to park in it, the car’s computer takes over the steering while the driver retains control of the accelerator and brake and is permitted a speed of just over 4mph. The driver can deactivate the system at any time, either by turning the wheel, changing out of reverse gear or pressing the button on the dashboard.

Blue&Me™-TomTom LIVE

Every Chrysler Ypsilon can be specified with the Blue&Me™-TomTom LIVE system. It’s based on the TomTom Go1000 and features a touch screen that allows occupants to manage phone calls, satellite navigation and all the driver information required. It allows control of a media player via a touch screen.

It uses TomTom LIVE services which combine traffic information, such as road closures or traffic jams, with dynamic route calculation. Chrysler Ypsilon customers get a year’s free subscription to LIVE. The removable screen sits in its special holder to the right of the steering wheel.

Smart Fuel System

This device replaces the classic fuel cap and automatically opens and closes when the pump nozzle is put inside it. It makes refuelling easier and safer by reducing gas emissions and fuel overflow. It also prevents ‘misfuelling’ as it’s impossible to pump petrol into a diesel car (or vice versa) fitted with this system.

Sound System

The Ypsilon features a 360° 500-Watt sound system as factory fit option. It consists of four 40W musical Dome tweeters, four 80W musical Neodymium mid-woofers and a digital eight-channel amplifier.

Suspension

The MacPherson front suspension uses a lower arm made of ultra-high strength material, while a modular cross member is made from low thickness, high strength steel sheets. This helps dissipate impact energy through the car to make the Ypsilon safer. The front suspension also features shock absorbers with split mountings to transmit loads to the body through two different routes to filter out road vibrations better, and improve acoustic performance.

A new anti-roll bar has had its weight reduced and been connected to the shock absorbers to maximise its anti-roll effect. Lastly, new bushes have been designed for the front suspension. These have a lower dynamic stiffening than previously to maximise comfort on bumpy roads and reduce noise. A torsion axle is fitted at the rear.

Tyres

The 2011 Chrysler Ypsilon uses new generation low rolling resistance Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres. These use new materials to make them 10 per cent lighter.

Body

High strength materials have been employed in the Chrysler Ypsilon’s body. These improve the car’s energy absorption characteristics in both front and side impacts, but also make it lighter to benefit fuel economy.

Another safety feature is the third load path. In frontal impacts this transfers crash energy to the lower, more resistant parts of the vehicle. It increases the vehicle’s ability to absorb frontal impacts, helps control deformation of the passenger cell, and reduces the chance of intrusion to the passenger compartment.

High performance tempered steel has been used for the front bumper cross member, while the lightweight strong plastic Xenoy has been employed on the rear bumper cross member. The energy absorption material behind the third load path is made of a special highly absorbent plastic. This minimises damage in low speed impacts and reduces the risk of knee damage in pedestrian collisions.

Safety equipment

There is VDC vehicle dynamic control (standard on Auto and optional on SE and Limited versions), complete with ASR traction control plus Hill Holder, and ABS anti-lock braking with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).

Inside, there are up to six airbags (two each on the front, window and side – S versions have four airbags) and front seat belts with double pretensioners and load limiters. There are three-point seat belts across the rear passenger accommodation, (two rear seats on S versions), making this a realistically safe five-seater. Both front and rear seats are fitted with an anti-submarining system to prevent the body from sliding underneath the seatbelt, and the front seats have an anti-whiplash system to reduce the risk of injury in rear end collisions. Finally, ISOFIX attachments, which allow child seats to be securely fitted, are standard.