Lancia Returns With One thing That is 100 % Not a Automobile

Lancia’s solely automobile on sale immediately, the third-generation Ypsilon subcompact hatch, has been on sale since 2011. It sells surprisingly effectively in its native Italy, the one nation during which the model operates, however Lancia has extra bold plans for its future. Usually automakers get the hype prepare rolling with a number of ideas, and Lancia has adopted that technique this week, unveiling a brand new design alongside an up to date brand. Solely, you’ll be able to’t actually name it a automobile.

Sure, Lancia — a model that hasn’t launched a brand new car in over a decade — has opted to barrel proper previous the very achievable goal of “automobile” and go straight to “vaporwave pageantry.” It’s referred to as the Pu+Ra Zero. “Zero” doubtless referencing the quantity of dangerous emissions it releases into the environment. Not as a result of it’s electrical, however as a result of it might as effectively not exist.

Harsh, I do know, however I solely complain as a result of I care. Lancia says the Pu+Ra Zero represents “the primary occasion of the brand new Lancia period.” On this, the corporate claims, we see hallmarks that may reappear in forthcoming fashions. Presumably that pertains to the “grille” — an outsized piano black chevron festooned with LED strips — and the aforementioned brand.

The emblem, to its credit score, does truly name again to basic Lancia insignias, in that it reestablishes the spear over the protect that was central to the entire producer’s many emblems earlier than 2010. It does this in a manner that admittedly feels form of lifeless inside, however hey — that’s what automotive branding within the 2020s is all about.

The idea supposedly harkens again to Lancia’s previous as effectively, although I’m undoubtedly not seeing the clues that the designers apparently baked in. From the press launch:

Lancia Pu+Ra Zero consists of sentimental, fluid traces which recall the design of Aurelia B20 and Flaminia, with a round roof that floods the cabin with gentle, in a sport of stability between exteriors and interiors.

On the rear the spherical taillights stand out. They name again to these of the Stratos and will likely be used on the brand new Ypsilon with the brand new Lancia lettering positioned between the headlights. Lastly, in a aspect view, the brand new brand stands out.

Frankly, the Aurelia has by no means been fairly my cup of tea, although I can’t deny it appears to be like not like the rest and completely acknowledge why it’s celebrated so. However I’m struggling to search out any relation, in any respect, between that basic, curvy coupe and this levitating trackball mouse. That’s what my buddy José referred to as it; I see one of many 3D paint samples from Gran Turismo.

Nor do I see any Stratos within the Pu+Ra Zero’s taillights. They’re ovals, not circles just like the Stratos has. A way more becoming comparability would’ve been what’s on the again of a contemporary Bentley Continental.

Lancia says the Pu+Ra Zero is a distillation of its Pu+Ra design language — what it’s termed the guiding ideas that may outline its future fashions. (“Pu+Ra” is “pure” and “radical,” not a reference to plutonium and radium’s abbreviations on the periodic desk.) The automaker will work with Italian furnishings designer Cassina to tell its future interiors, which isn’t evident on this idea as a result of it has no inside — only a reflecting pool of lights within the middle.

I suppose the optimistic, apologetic tackle the Pu+Ra Zero is that it’s a modern-day envisioning of Bertone’s iconic Lancia Stratos Zero idea. The distinction is that the Stratos Zero was an actual, working automobile, though it regarded like an artwork piece no human might ever match inside. This was made potential because of an modern strategy to its cover, the place your complete windshield opened to permit ingress and egress, and the steering wheel was mounted to the ground. Seated inside, you had been virtually mendacity in your again, because the video beneath demonstrates.

Certain, the Stratos Zero was a deathtrap from one other world, and it’d hardly attain manufacturing trying something like that. However the truth the rattling factor drove grounded the wonder, and the design achievement. Clearly, immediately’s Lancia just isn’t motivated by efficiency, because it was in its golden years. It’s lengthy since moved on, and there’s nothing objectively improper with that. However a disembodied top-third of a generic 3D mannequin may be very laborious to get enthusiastic about — particularly if you simply know all Lancia actually wanted to do to was present us a semi-attractive hatchback. We weren’t asking for a lot.