Grande Panda leads new generation of Fiat EVs

Fiat, the best-performing among the 16 brands in the Stellantis Group last year, delivered 1.35 million units worldwide. Over 50% of its vehicles were sold outside Europe, though Malaysians would not have seen the latest ones on the road as it is non-existent here.

With its new generation models of fully electric cars, the Italian carmaker, founded in 1899, is ready for a new model offensive which starts with the return of the Panda, a compact model sold in the 1980s. The first of this new 21^st century Panda is the Grande Panda which will be offered in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and will be available with fully electric and hybrid electric powertrains.

The new Grande Panda is the first model of the new global line-up based on a group’s multi-energy platform, which will see Fiat start its transition from production only in Italy to a worldwide offer through a common global platform.

Designed in Italy, the Grande Panda stands out from the other B-segment vehicles for its unique compactness at just 3.99-metres long — below the 4.06-metre segment average. A B-segment, its well-organized space within the compact body volume can accommodate 5 persons.

With the objective of conveying strength and uniqueness, the bodywork appears robust and structured. The wedge-shaped and dynamic design of the body is generated by its pronounced profile lines with a cool personality and novel features. There are also bright body colours, including yellow.

After the dispute with the Italian government over the name of the Alfa Romeo new Milano  which had to be renamed Junior, Stellantis would be careful of how it associates the new Grande Panda with Italy. It says that ‘the ‘Italian personality’ becomes immediately apparent through its iconic Italian design which is synonymous with beauty’.

On the sides, the silhouette recalls the look of strength suggested by the design of the Panda from the 1980s.. The wedge-shaped attitude of the bodywork and cabin is well-defined and enhanced even more by the sloping roof racks, which move from the top towards the rear end.

In homage to the classic Panda 4×4, the Panda letters are given a 3-dimensional look in bas-relief on the doors, reflecting the surrounding environment and animate the lower part of the side. Also, the unmistakable inclination of the angular ratio with the vertical form of the rear is reproduced by the robust C pillar.

To generate a lenticular effect, a black square badge is connected to the graphics of the greenhouse, creating a striking effect in which the four FIAT letters turn into 4 bars which walk around the vehicle.

The rear features a bold character as well, thanks to its prominent wheelarches, the inclination of the windows, the overall layout of the rear window, headlights, and skids which confer the Grande Panda with a protective and stable appearance and robust ground solidity.

Finally, to maintain theme of 1980s geometries combined with a futuristic style, the 17-inch  diamond-cut alloy wheels are amplified by a captivating, stylized X design.

“The best way to celebrate Fiat’s 125 years in 2024 is to start writing the first pages of our future, starting with the new Grande Panda. The new model is the first new product in the family and will be followed by the launch of a new vehicle every year until 2027. The new set of models has been designed to conquer the streets of the world and complete the brand’s line-up. Fiat’s innovative project is to manufacture vehicles on the same global and multi-energy Smart Car platform, which works in every region of the world, allowing the brand to create many different vehicles and respond to customers’ needs worldwide,” said Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis Global CMO.

Fiat will start its new model offensive from this July