Some emblems transcend mere design. They become storytelling devices—badges that carry decades of engineering excellence, motorsport grit, and national pride. Few automotive symbols encapsulate this as powerfully as Lancia’s HF badge and its emblematic red elephant. For over 60 years, these icons have stood as declarations of performance and audacity. Now, in 2025, they return—not as nostalgic tokens, but as catalysts for a new era of Lancia performance.
A Roaring Comeback
With the debut of the all-electric 280-hp Ypsilon HF and the rally-bred Ypsilon Rally4 HF, Lancia is rekindling the spirit that once made it the most successful brand in rally history. These vehicles aren’t simply callbacks—they’re forward-facing machines forged in the fire of competition, steeped in heritage but reengineered for modern roads and racetracks.
This renaissance coincides with a particularly fitting anniversary: 60 years since the 1965 Fulvia Coupé premiered at the Geneva Motor Show. A paragon of Italian elegance and engineering, the Fulvia would go on to wear the HF badge a year later, marking the beginning of Lancia’s golden age in motorsport.
Fulvia: The Genesis of HF Glory
The original Fulvia HF wasn’t just a pretty face—it was a rally weapon. Designed by Piero Castagnero with inspiration from Riva motorboats, the coupé featured a compact front-wheel-drive layout, lightweight aluminum panels, and progressively more powerful V4 engines. From the 88-hp 1.2 HF to the legendary 160-hp “Fanalone” with its oversized headlights, each version pushed the performance envelope.
In 1972, the Fulvia HF etched its name into the motorsport hall of fame with a historic victory at the Monte Carlo Rally, toppling more powerful rivals in treacherous snow-covered stages. Wearing a bold Amaranto Montebello paint job with Turin’s blue-and-yellow racing stripe, the car—bearing race number 14—became a national icon. Its success helped catapult Lancia into the global spotlight and led to further dominance in the newly formed World Rally Championship.
HF and the Red Elephant: A Symbolic Legacy
The HF story began in 1960 with the foundation of the “Hi-Fi” club—reserved for the most loyal Lancia customers. By 1963, the HF Squadra Corse racing team was born under the leadership of a young Cesare Fiorio. Their emblem, featuring four red elephants sprinting beneath bold HF lettering, defied the typical associations with the animal’s size. For Fiorio and Lancia, elephants symbolized unstoppable force—graceful only when in full charge.
That symbolism became prophetic. After Fulvia, Lancia unleashed the Stratos HF, the Delta Integrale, and other rally legends, racking up ten WRC Constructors’ titles, victories at the Targa Florio, Carrera Panamericana, and even World Endurance Championships. No other brand matched its blend of technological daring and competition success.
Electrified Heritage: The Ypsilon HF
Fast forward to today, and the HF badge adorns a very different kind of machine: the Ypsilon HF, a fully electric performance hatch that merges heritage with high-tech ambition. Its specs are impressive—280 hp, 0–100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, and a 370-km WLTP range courtesy of a 54-kWh battery. Yet, it’s the driving feel that aims to deliver on the HF promise.
A widened track, lowered suspension, Torsen limited-slip differential, and a chassis 67% stiffer than the base Ypsilon promise real dynamic engagement. Inside, the inspiration continues with laser-cut Econyl seats, a perforated leather steering wheel, and a dual-screen S.A.L.A. infotainment system steeped in HF graphics. The design, echoing Lancia’s “Pu+Ra” philosophy, pays tribute to legends like the Stratos with circular taillights and sculpted surfaces.
Lancia HF Line: Performance for the People
For those seeking spirited driving without the full EV commitment, the new Ypsilon HF Line introduces a 110-hp 1.2-liter hybrid with 48V tech and a 9.3-second 0–100 km/h sprint time. Designed for urban thrill-seekers, it borrows much of its design language from the HF, including 17-inch alloys, bespoke bumpers, and the signature Red Elephant badge.
Back on the Stages: Ypsilon Rally4 HF
In partnership with Stellantis Motorsport, Lancia is returning to its roots with the Ypsilon Rally4 HF—a front-wheel-drive rally car designed to revive the brand’s dominance on special stages. Under the hood lies a 212-hp 1.2L turbocharged engine, mated to a SADEV 5-speed gearbox and a mechanical LSD. McPherson suspension with Öhlins dampers, 330-mm front brakes, and a fireproof cockpit developed with Sparco round out a serious package.
Veteran Miki Biasion, a two-time World Rally Champion with Lancia, was directly involved in fine-tuning the car—adding even more credibility to its mission of reviving Italy’s rally spirit.
Democratizing Motorsport: Ypsilon HF Racing
The Ypsilon HF Racing isn’t just a rally car—it’s an idea. Designed to offer an affordable, FIA-compliant race-ready platform, it’s priced at €38,900 (ex-VAT) and targets young drivers looking to step into competitive motorsports. With 145 hp, robust brakes, a mechanical differential, and lightweight construction, it’s a grassroots tool with genuine pedigree.
A Progressive Classic
The new HF logo is a brilliant visual metaphor for Lancia’s direction: bold and unmistakable, yet cleaned up for modern clarity. It keeps the red elephant, white HF lettering, and black background, but the lines are refined—honoring the past while expressing forward motion. Like the cars themselves, it is what Lancia now calls “Progressive Classic.”
With electrification, design innovation, and motorsport firmly in its DNA, Lancia HF is no longer just a memory. It’s a living legacy, reborn for the modern age. Whether you’re drawn by the visceral performance of the Ypsilon HF, the nostalgic pull of the Fulvia’s red paint and matte-black hood, or the raw ambition of the Rally4 HF, one thing is clear: the Red Elephant runs again—and it’s charging toward the future.