Lancia Pu+Ra HPE Concept Debuts As A Stratos-Inspired EV Coupe

Following the teaser last month, renowned Italian marque Lancia has finally debuted its latest concept model, dubbed as the Lancia Pu+Ra HPE Concept. This all-electric concept will serve as the benchmark for the marque’s future models.

Starting off with the name itself, Pu+Ra is a short form for ‘pure’ (Pu) and ‘radical’ (Ra), while the HPE moniker now stands for ‘High Performance Electric’, instead of High Performance Estate used back in the 1970s for Lancia Beta wagon.

Unlike the Beta, the Pu+Ra concept features a unique coupe body style with design inspirations taken from iconic Lancia models like the Stratos. The rear part of the concept model features hollowed round tail lights plus a reinterpretation of the Stratos’s rear horizontal blinds, with the former flanking the Lancia lettering in the middle.

This concept model, however, bears no resemblance to the Stratos from the front angle, which features a futuristic-looking front fascia primed with Y-shaped LED strip at the middle. There’s also a smaller pair of Y-shaped lights flanking on the lower part of the front bumper. Like many other EVS, the Pu+Ra features no front grille and minimal front intake openings.

On the side, the Pu+Ra concept features another nod to Lancia’s storied past, this time referencing the marque’s two historic coupe models, the Aurelia and Flaminia, with its slanting and sporty roof lines that descend towards the rear part of the car. Elsewhere, there’s also a new Lancia badge present at the front fender.

Uniquely, the Pu+Ra also sports a unique circular roof design, again, inspired by the Stratos hollowed round taillights.

Aptly, there’s more rounded design elements featured inside the Pu+Ra’s cabin. On board, the concept model is primed with a circular-shaped front dash, as well rounded coffee table-style central console panel that houses several driving-related controls such as the gear shifter and many more.

Apart from that, the car also comes with round carpets that are made of natural wool, plus the two front seats are heavily influenced by the Cassina-made classic Italian armchairs.

In terms of powertrain, the Italian automaker has remained lip-tight about its details. However, Lancia’s engineers claim that this new EV powertrain setup will offer up to 700 KM of maximum travel range on a single charge. As a brand under the bigger Stellantis roof, it is possible that future Lancia EV models will underpin the brand’s proprietary STLA modular EV platform.

As we mentioned earlier, the Lancia Pu+Ra HPE concept will serve as a base for future Lancia models, poised to debut in stages in a decade. Aside from the Pu+Ra, Lancia’s electrified lineup will also be spearheaded by the next-gen Yplison compact EV, which shares the same platform as the Fiat 500.