Lancia, the iconic Italian automaker, has just unveiled the Pu+Ra HPE concept, signaling the start of a new era of electrification for the company. The high-performance electric coupe draws inspiration from some of Lancia’s most iconic models, such as the Stratos, Beta, and Flaminia, while also offering a glimpse into the future of Lancia’s design language.
The car’s name, “Pu+Ra,” is derived from Lancia’s new “pure and radical” design language, while “HPE” stands for “High Performance Electric,” paying homage to the Beta HPE of the 1970s, whose designation originally stood for “High Performance Estate.”
Like the Stratos, which was inspired by the abstract Stratos Zero concept that came before it, the Pu+Ra HPE draws design cues from the Pu+Ra Zero sculpture that Lancia presented in November 2022.
The car features a striking three-pointed light signature at the front, which is a reinterpretation of Lancia’s signature grille. This design element is also seen in other parts of the car, such as the wheel covers. The rear end of the car, with its steep decklid and circular taillights, takes inspiration directly from the Stratos. The Pu+Ra HPE’s paint color, a hue called “Progressive Green,” represents the car’s forward-looking sustainable vision while also being a modernized version of the Flaminia’s Azzurro Vincennes.
Inside the cabin, Lancia aimed to provide occupants with a “home feeling,” partnering with Italian furniture company Cassina for the interior design. The space evokes the feel of a classic Italian home, with simple, flowing forms and warm, comfy materials such as wood, wool, and nubuck. The seats are inspired by one of Cassina’s iconic armchairs, and the round table and carpets further contribute to the “home feeling” atmosphere.
The cabin also features sustainable materials, in keeping with the car’s eco-friendly ethos. For instance, the seats are upholstered in a velvet blend with low amounts of chemical processing, the table is made of a bio-based cellulose acetate, and the door cards are finished in a unique material that combines marble dust waste with recycled fabric.
More than anything, the Pu+Ra HPE represents the beginning of Lancia’s electrification strategy, which will commence with the new Ypsilon in 2024, followed by only electric launches from 2026 onwards. By 2028, when a new Delta is set to arrive, Lancia plans to be selling exclusively electric vehicles.
The Pu+Ra HPE uses the motor, battery, suspension, and brakes from the upcoming Ypsilon as a testbed to prove the platform’s validity, which seems promising given the theoretical specs. Lancia aims for a range of over 700 km (435 mi), a zero-to-full charging time of just over 10 minutes, and an energy consumption of less than 10 kWh per 100 km (62 mph). The car’s streamlined design is aided by low-drag digital mirrors and aerodynamic wheels with Goodyear tires specially designed for this vehicle.
Finally, the Pu+Ra HPE features the new S.A.L.A. (Sound Air Light Augmentation) user interface, which aims to personalize the road experience for drivers and passengers alike. Through intelligent adaptation of the vehicle’s atmosphere based on occupants’ moods and habits, the car’s audio, climate control, and lighting functions can all be adjusted with the press of a button or a few spoken words. These systems will make their production debut in the new Ypsilon, then eventually expand to other vehicles in the Stellantis portfolio, evolving to best fit each vehicle they’re installed in.
