Lancia Pu+Ra HPE coupe concept draws inspiration from Stratos as Italian brand looks to EV future
The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE concept has emerged as the Italian brand’s bold vision for its all-electric future that will see it relaunch with a fresh style-focused line-up harnessing the power of parent Stellantis’ latest tech.
Drawing influence from past Lancias like the Stratos, Beta and Flaminia, the 2023 Lancia Pu+Ra HPE (High Performance Electric) coupe is not slated for production at this stage, but its design language will carry over on the incoming new Lancia Delta and the long-awaited replacement for the ancient Ypsilon supermini that has been on sale since 2003.
Following the Stratos Zero concept and the strange Pu+Ra Zero sculpture shown back in November 2022, the Pu+Ra HPE provides the closest look yet at design features that will appear on future models.
These include the three-pointed LED light graphic up front, which is replicated by the three-spoke wheels.
The Stratos-inspired circular tail-lights are also expected to find their way onto production cars.
Inside, Lancia says it has worked with Cassina – a high-end Italian furniture-maker – to provide a homely environment.
Key elements include a pair of odd-looking armchairs, a round table and lots of wood and wool trim.
Look above and there’s also a glass roof that swivels open for those who prefer the open-air feeling.
Lancia says 70 per cent of all materials employed in the cabin are recycled.
The Pu+Ra HPE measures 4450mm long, 1950mm wide and stands 1350mm tall. It’s likely to be underpinned by Stellantis’ STLA Medium all-electric architecture that will underpin the battery-electric Delta.
Powertrain details are not provided, but are expected to be drawn from the next-gen Ypsilon that’s due to be unveiled later this year.
In the streamlined Pu+Ra, Lancia claims the concept can cover up to 700km between top-ups and be charged from 0-100 per cent in around 10 minutes. Energy consumption is low at 10kWh/100km.
Other new tech includes SALA (Sound Air Light Augmentation) that can pre-set the car’s audio, climate control and lighting functions to the driver’s preference.
Cleverly, instead of selecting a user via a touch-screen, Lancia says its new systems are so sophisticated that they can recognise the driver by the sound of their voice.
The infotainment system is housed in a circular touch-screen that folds down out of the dash.
A smaller screen resides with the steering wheel which is thought to act as a traditional instrument panel and display speed and driving range.
SALA will be offered on the 2024 Lancia Ypsilon and be rolled out to other Stellantis models.
When launched, the smallest Lancia is expected to be offered with an entry-level hybrid option as well as a full battery-electric powertrain.
Lancia says it will launch an all-electric sedan in 2026, before reintroducing the Delta nameplate in 2028.
Once the new models have been launched, Stellantis will be keen to broaden Lancia’s horizons, with Australia a prospect given the brand still has a following here despite leaving almost four decades ago.
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Keyword: Lancia revival previewed by electric sports car