Chrysler

Ypsilon

The Ypsilon is packed to bursting with character and personality. Check out the TwinAir, two-cylinder model for a brilliant all-round supermini experience.

Test Drive

Chrysler Ypsilon 0.9 TwinAir Limited

Launching a new car in one of the most hotly contested categories takes a lot of confidence and courage – thankfully the Chrysler Ypsilon is already holding its head high and making a name for itself as an excellent supermini.

Bursting at the seams with personality and character, the four-door hatchback looks superb from all angles with its beautifully sculpted lines, privacy glass, rear spoiler, LED tail lights, dark grey coloured alloys and body-coloured bumpers.

And potential buyers can choose from a range of fuel types, engine sizes or trim levels – S, SE and Limited.

Chrysler bosses believe the 0.9-litre TwinAir version in the Limited trim will prove the most popular with buyers, and with its price tag of just £14,495, it’s easy to see why.

Admittedly, the test model had a few optional extras such as stability control, magic parking and 16-inch alloys, which bumped the price up to £16,795, but it is still great value.

And the Ypsilon really does stand out from the crowd – it even looks like a sporty three-door hatch thanks to hidden rear door handles that are flush to the body.

Once inside, the interior is deceptively spacious with lots of technical wizardry at your disposal. For example, there is a great six-speaker sound system with CD/radio and MP3 compatibility, remote keyless entry, luxury leather upholstery, sat nav, automatic air conditioning and plenty more besides.

There is room for rear seat passengers and storage is no problem either thanks to the good-sized boot than can be expanded by utilising the 60:40 split-folding rear seats option.

Driver ergonomics are quite unique and some of the information dials are positioned neatly above the dashboard, which means glancing over to the left to check your speed. I found this took a little getting used to.

But one feature that is definitely a plus-factor is magic parking. As you’re crawling along looking for a gap to squeeze into, press the parking button and the car will search for a suitable gap and highlight it. Then simply follow the instructions and take your hands off the steering wheel – the car does the rest for you. In all honesty, it’s a feature that takes a little practising, but once you have the confidence to turn control over to your car, you’re guaranteed to be impressed.

The Ypsilon may be compact in size, but it packs a mighty punch for a small car. And that’s thanks to Chrysler’s alliance with Fiat and the chance to utilise the Italian giant’s expertise in two-cylinder engines.

The result is this TwinAir model that zooms around town and can reach 60mph from a standing start in just 11.5 seconds with a top speed of 109mph.

It has to be said, the Ypsilon is not the quietest car on our roads today, but in a way that just adds to its all-round appeal as it weaves its way through traffic jams and then easily holds its own alongside faster-moving motorway traffic. The five-speed manual transmission is neatly set and offers good acceleration.

Chrysler has fitted a comprehensive list of safety specifications to the Ypsilon, including anti-lock brakes, traction control, six airbags, electronic brake force distribution and lots more.

And when you consider it boasts combined fuel efficiency figures of 67.3mpg and carbon emissions of just 99g/km, the Ypsilon is going to make quite an impact in the supermini market.