Lancia Y Rally Set for WRC Debut: All You Need to Know

A few weeks ago, spy shots surfaced of a new version of the Lancia Y rally car undergoing secret testing. “Relatively” secret, since the photos quickly spread across the web, sparking immediate speculation about a potential new era for Lancia in top-level rally competitions—both on tarmac and gravel—around the world.

And now it’s official: Lancia is returning to the World Rally Championship.

The new WRC2-spec version is already fully equipped to compete at the highest level of the FIA World Rally Championship, and that’s exactly what the Italian manufacturer is aiming for. The car could make its debut as early as the 2026 season, with the Monte Carlo Rally just four months away.

Interestingly, the car is based on the Citroën C3, another model from the Stellantis group that has already proven itself in top rally categories. So there should be no teething problems when it comes to development. The engine is expected to deliver around 290 horsepower, slightly more than its French predecessor’s 280. As per WRC2 regulations, it’s a turbocharged petrol engine with a displacement under 1600cc—no electric counterpart, which will come as a breath of fresh air for motorsport purists.

New 2027 Regulations for the Lancia Y Rally 2

Electric motors, which will no longer be mandatory in the 2027 Rally World Championship due to the upcoming regulation changes. Each manufacturer will be free to choose between electric, hybrid, or turbo-petrol powertrains. This flexibility is designed to encourage greater variety in the competition and, more importantly, to reduce costs. In short, every team will be able to choose its own path—an ideal starting point for a grid filled with new contenders.

While the WRC debut is set, we strongly believe that the new Lancia Y will soon evolve into a full-fledged Rally1 version, aiming for the most coveted prize of all—the championship trophy, which the Turin-based brand hasn’t won in over 30 years. We don’t know exactly when it will happen, but we’re sure that car is already tucked away in some garage, going through the final stages of development, waiting to see the light of day. And as always, we’ll be there to tell you the story.

As always, we leave you with the official Lancia website for further updates. https://www.lancia.it/lancia-corse/the-races