Lancia Pu+Ra HPE: Italy's Concept Car Of The Year

• Lancia Pu+Ra HPE: A visionary concept car embodying the brand's future vision for the next decade.
• An interior ambiance crafted with eco-friendly materials, blending Italian craftsmanship with innovative design.
• S.A.L.A. infotainment, revolutionizing the onboard experience with seamless integration and intuitive controls.
• Triumphing in the "Concept" category of Quattroruote's annual survey, the Pu+Ra HPE garners overwhelming support for its forward-thinking design and sustainability.

The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE represents the brand's vision for the next decade, showcasing a 100% electric concept car that embodies design, interior ambiance, sustainability, electrification, and seamless technology. 

With its sleek and unconventional body design aimed at maximizing efficiency, it sets new standards in range, charging time, and overall performance. 

Inspired by Italian interior design, the collaboration with Cassina brings a distinctive home-like experience to the car's interior. The name "Lancia Pu+Ra HPE" reflects the brand's new design language, emphasizing purity and radicalism, while HPE signifies its high-performance electric nature. 

This concept car epitomizes Lancia's new design principles, blending geometric shapes with iconic brand elements like the Venetian blinds from the Lancia Beta HPE. 

Notably, the Lancia Pu+Ra HPE has earned the prestigious "Concept" category award in Quattroruote's annual "Novità dell’Anno" (Innovation of the Year), with overwhelming public support in Italy, Spain, and France, reaffirming the brand's progressive vision. 

See also: Don't Force People To Buy Electric Cars - Akio Toyoda 

The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE’s Streamlined Body Design

The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE represents a leap forward from the Lancia Pu+Ra Zero, integrating key features from the three-dimensional sculpture unveiled in November 2022. 

Embodying the brand's new design language, it combines pure and radical elements such as circles and triangles to create a timeless expression of Italian design with an innovative, sustainable approach.

Named after its High-Performance Electric (HPE) capabilities, the Progressive Green color pays homage to the historic Lancia Flaminia Azzurro Vincennes, while the fluid lines draw inspiration from classic models like the Aurelia and Flaminia. 

The Lancia Pu+Ra’s Brand And Visual Identity

The new Lancia logo adorning the car's sides blends historic elements with modern reinterpretations to symbolize innovation, premium quality, and Italian heritage. 

At the rear, the iconic round lights and the Lancia lettering evoke the spirit of the legendary Lancia Stratos, while the front grille, illuminated by three rays of light, pays homage to the brand's history while projecting it into the future. 

The circular roof and rear window design, reminiscent of past Lancia models, prioritize natural light and evoke a sense of home.

So, how much is the Lancia Pu+Ra HPE? The automaker is yet to reveal pricing details about the car, but it is generally expected to cost around $120,000 to $150,000 when it finally enters production. 

Lancia’s Collaboration With Cassina

The partnership between Lancia and Cassina merges automotive and furniture design expertise, reflecting shared values of Italian craftsmanship, innovation, and environmental responsibility. 

Drawing inspiration from Cassina's iconic furniture pieces, the Lancia Pu+Ra HPE’s interior exudes a homely atmosphere, with elements like the Maralunga-inspired seats and round tables contributing to a cozy yet modern environment. 

The integration of blinds, reminiscent of the Lancia Beta HPE, adds both architectural and technological sophistication to enhance the overall ambiance and functionality of the interior space. 

Sustainability by Lancia: Sustylenability

^{Photo credit: Corvettec6r via Wikimedia}

Lancia's commitment to sustainability is revealed in its concept of "Sustylenability." The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE exemplifies this ethos as the brand's inaugural 100% electric vehicle, setting the tone for the next decade with an interior that exudes elegance and eco-consciousness. 

Four core values underpin Lancia's sustainability efforts: reinterpretation of tradition, Italian spirit, eclecticism, and "home feeling." 

Tradition is reimagined through the use of innovative, recycled, and recyclable materials, as seen in the collaboration with Cassina for the upholstery, incorporating GreenGuard® certified fabrics. 

The Italian spirit shines through materials like MARM\MORE, a revolutionary blend of marble waste and recycled fabric. Eclecticism takes form in the M49 BioAcetate Renew™ table, drawing inspiration from the fashion world's versatile cellulose acetate. 

The concept of "home feeling" seeps into every detail, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere reminiscent of Italian homes. 

The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE’s Interior Elements

The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE’s interior flaunts a blend of contemporary design and sustainable materials. From the wood marquetry rear shelf crafted in collaboration with Tabu to the natural wool carpet sculpted with precision, every element is designed to inspire comfort and familiarity. Poltrona Frau's velvety nubuck upholstery adds a luxurious touch while maintaining environmental integrity. 

The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE’s Electrification Strategy

^{Photo credit: Corvettec6r via Wikimedia}

Aligned with Stellantis' electrification roadmap, Lancia's future lineup will feature hybrid and electric options, culminating in exclusively electric models by 2028. The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE serves as a forward-looking manifesto, setting benchmarks for range, charging time, and efficiency. 

Building on its legacy of groundbreaking models, Lancia's upcoming lineup will blend the best of city cars, flagships, and compact sedans. Compact yet agile, these vehicles will cater to a European customer base obsessed with timeless elegance, Italian craftsmanship, and cutting-edge innovation. 

The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE’s Technological Advancements

The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE integrates technology modules from the new Ypsilon, offering a glimpse into the future of automotive performance. 

With a range exceeding 435 miles (700 km), industry-leading rapid charging times, and energy-efficient design features, the Pu+Ra sets new standards for electric vehicles. 

Goodyear's specially designed tires not only enhance aerodynamic performance but also add a touch of sophistication to the vehicle's aesthetic. 

See also: Lexus Electrifies the Future: A Closer Look at the LF-ZC and LF-ZL Concepts 

The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE Specifications

So, how fast and what is the top speed of the Lancia Pu+Ra HPE? According to EVSea, the Pu+Ra HPE’s dual motors are capable of generating a massive 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, propelling the car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and achieving a top speed of 158 mph. 

If you think such a generous amount of power is a little too much for a so-called city car, you might not find comfort in the presence of 10 airbags, but you would with the standard AWD drivetrain for improved traction. 

The braking system comprises ventilated and drilled discs on all four corners, providing stopping power for the 22” alloy wheels clad in 255/35 ZR 22 tires. ElectricHunter notes that the car's regenerative braking technology can recover up to 30% of lost energy during deceleration. 

Effortless Technology by Lancia: Onboard Experience

^{Photo credit: Supercar Blondie}

Lancia's future, epitomized by the Pu+Ra HPE, prioritizes user-friendly technology, seamlessly integrating into customers' lives to foster a sense of comfort and familiarity within the vehicle. 

S.A.L.A.: Sound Air Light Augmentation 

At the core of Effortless Technology by Lancia lies S.A.L.A., a streamlined virtual interface that unifies audio, climate control, and lighting functionalities. 

With S.A.L.A., drivers and passengers can effortlessly adjust the car's interior environment with the touch of a button or simple voice commands. S.A.L.A. offers three distinct onboard modes tailored to enhance the driving experience: 

1. Immersive Mode: Amplifying the driving experience through Stellantis Chameleon technology, Immersive Mode adapts the interior ambiance in response to external conditions, optimizing sound, air quality, and lighting. 

2. Wellbeing Mode: Leveraging Stellantis Artificial Intelligence, TAPE (Tailored Predictive Experience) anticipates and caters to the emotional needs of occupants, promoting a sense of well-being by adjusting the onboard atmosphere accordingly. 

3. Entertainment Mode: Providing entertainment options during downtime, Entertainment Mode enables passengers to stream movies, play video games, or engage with social media. 

The upcoming New Ypsilon will debut the S.A.L.A. interface to mark Lancia's journey toward a more intuitive and immersive onboard experience. As technology evolves within the Stellantis ecosystem, S.A.L.A. will evolve in tandem, allowing each brand to customize its features to suit the unique characteristics of its models. 

Concept Car Of The Year 2024

The Lancia Pu+Ra HPE clinched the top spot in the "Concept" category of the prestigious Quattroruote survey, a testament to its forward-thinking design and vision for the future. 

In its 25th edition, the annual "Novità dell’Anno" award, organized by the magazine, saw the Italian public's resounding endorsement of the Pu+Ra HPE, securing over 38% of the votes and outshining its competitors. 

Italy holds a special significance for Lancia, serving as a cornerstone for its rejuvenation. The brand's resurgence begins with the unveiling of the New Ypsilon in Milan on February 14th, accompanied by a revamped sales network. 

With a strategic reduction in the number of dealerships from 230 to 160, 100 of which have already undergone renovations, Lancia aims to create a more streamlined and customer-centric approach in preparation for the New Ypsilon's launch. 

“We are delighted to have received this appreciation from the public in Italy,” said Luca Napolitano, Lancia Brand CEO, “who recognize the work that the entire Lancia team has done on the Pu+Ra HPE, in terms of the future vision of the brand that we will find on February 14 with the reveal of the New Ypsilon in Milan. Italy has always played a crucial role for the Lancia brand, and from here we restart with the first car of the new era and a renewed and dedicated sales network, aiming to become a respected and credible brand in the premium market.” 

The redesigned dealerships embody Lancia's new Corporate Identity, reflecting the brand's strategic pillars of quality, electrification, sustainability, and innovative sales models. These revitalized spaces promise an exclusive and premium experience, blending beauty, design, and the quintessential Italian spirit to welcome customers. 

Named after Lancia's pure and radical design language, Pu+Ra, the Pu+Ra HPE concept car encapsulates the brand's ethos through its innovative use of geometric shapes and iconic heritage details. With 70% of its tactile surfaces crafted from eco-friendly materials, the Pu+Ra HPE embodies Italian craftsmanship, reinterpreted tradition, and a sense of "home feeling."