Chrysler cuts Ypsilon prices

The 2014 Chrysler Ypsilon is now available to order, with more equipment, new colours and a lower starting price.

What is it?

Chrysler’s Ypsilon is built on the same chassis platform as the Fiat 500 and Panda, and is marketed as a city car. It’s bigger than the Volkswagen Up, and is available only as a five-door car.

How good are its rivals?

The Chrysler sits somewhere between the likes of the Volkswagen Up and Ford Fiesta, both of which are outstanding cars. It will also need to offer value for money that challenges our favourite city car - the Hyundai i10.

We’ve driven the outgoing Ypsilon model, which is well equipped, but not as good to drive as its rivals.

What engines can I choose from?

You can choose from two petrol engines or one Multijet diesel. The entry-level 1.2 petrol has 68bhp, while the two-cylinder turbo 0.9 Twinair has 84bhp. The most powerful engine is the 94bhp 1.3-litre diesel.

The diesel and Twinair engines should both offer CO2 emissions of 99g/km, and the Twinair is also available with an automatic gearbox.

What equipment does it come with?

Chrysler has renamed the Ypsilon’s trim levels in the UK to match the rest of Europe. So instead of S, SE and S-Series, we get Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Silver spec gets electric front windows, four airbags, keyless entry and a six-speaker stereo with MP3 playback. This specification is available with the only 1.2 petrol engine.

Stepping up to Gold adds 15-inch alloy wheels, air-con, two extra airbags, heated door mirrors and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob. The 2014 model also gets Chrysler’s Blue&Me system that includes a USB socket and Bluetooth.

Range-topping Platinum trim gets 16-inch alloys, part-leather upholstery, climate and cruise control, electric rear windows and a system that helps you to parallel park.

How much will it cost?

The entry-level 1.2 Silver costs £9895 - an £855 price cut over the equivalent outgoing model. Gold trim costs another £1100, while the 1.2 Platinum car is £12,495.

If you want the Twinair engine, prices start at £12,195 in Silver spec. The Twinair Platinum costs £13,695. Adding the automatic gearbox cost an extra £1200.

Diesel cars are priced from £13,195 in Silver trim, and £14,695 in Platinum spec.

What options can I add?

Stability control isn’t standard, so you’ll need to spend £325 to add it. The £985 Convenience Pack can be added to Gold-spec models, which adds climate and cruise control and rear parking sensors. Distinctive two-tone paint costs £600.

Can I get a discount?

Our Target Price data suggests you should pay at least £1000 less than list price, but discounts available through online brokers are even bigger. We’ve found savings of between £2800 and £3500 on the new model range at Drivethedeal.com.