Insurance Group: 7
MPG: 68.9
CO2: 97
0-62 Mph: 11.9 secs
BHP: 85 BHP
Range: 606 miles
PROS: Comes with a good engine and has enviably low running costs. Will stand out from the crowd of more conventional purchases.
CONS: Question marks over its build quality, which is a disappointment as the Chrysler Ypsilon isn’t cheap.
The Chrysler Ypsilon 0.9 TwinAir SE Automatic is powered by the 875cc, twin-cylinder, 8-valve engine found in the Fiat 500. This means you get a tried and tested power unit with plenty of get-up-and-go in city driving situations. It produces 85bhp at 5,500rpm, torque figures of 107 lb-ft at 1,900rpm, a top speed of 109mph. This power unit is mated to a 5-speed Automatic gearbox that performs adequately, and claims the best fuel economy in the Ypsilon range.
The Chrysler Ypsilon 0.9 TwinAir SE Automatic can be fun to drive for urban motoring, with light and responsive steering and a high driving position. However, the somewhat high, narrow body which affords such a driving position – a trait also found in the Fiat 500-inspired Ford Ka – means that on the open road the ride suffers from excessive body roll and less than impressive grip levels.
The styling may be somewhat of an acquired taste, with its bulbous front end featuring a large grille, and a body which looks quite tall and narrow, particularly toward the rear.
The interior is also quite quirky, with a centrally mounted instrument binnacle and high mounted gear lever to go with the seating position. It doesn’t feel as roomy as hoped, and the build quality of the interior features does not impress as much as its rivals such as the Fiat 500.
The Chrysler Ypsilon 0.9 TwinAir SE Automatic comes as standard with power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric front windows, electric door mirrors, driver airbag, passenger airbag, front side airbags, immobiliser, and CD player.
Electric rear windows, cruise control, rear-parking sensors, MP3 connectivity, bluetooth, and satnav are optional extras.
The Chrysler Ypsilon 0.9 TwinAir SE Automatic comes as standard with driver airbag, passenger airbag, front side airbags, and a 60,000 mile, 3-year warranty as standard.
The cabin doesn’t feel particularly spacious, but it does have an advantage of being a 5-door over 3-door rivals such as the Fiat 500 and Ford Ka, as well as a boot with a competitive 245 litre capacity. Nor does the interior feel especially well built, which will raise question marks over the whole car.
The Chrysler Ypsilon is a badge-engineered Lancia Ypsilon, and the Lancia brand had a poor reputation for build quality by the time it pulled out of the UK market in the early 1990’s.
The Chrysler Ypsilon 0.9 TwinAir Automatic isn’t cheap at £14,395. In comparison, the same money would buy a Volkswagen Golf Match 1.4 DSG 5-door.
Where the Chrysler Ypsilon 0.9 TwinAir excels is low running costs. It has a claimed combined mpg of 68.9. It is in the lowest Road Tax Band A, courtesy of its low C02 emissions of 97g/km. Insurance costs should be low too, with an insurance group of 7.
However, a high initial purchase price, and question marks over all-round build quality, are bound to have an adverse effect on residual values.
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