Fiat is growing its international lineup, even though it has fewer cars in North America. The company has launched the Grande Panda, a new small crossover for Europe. This shows Fiat’s focus on the European market as its offerings in North America decrease. The Grande Panda highlights Fiat’s plan to strengthen its presence in Europe with new and appealing models.
Despite its grand name, the Grande Panda is quite compact, measuring 157.1 inches in length. This makes it smaller than the average vehicle in its segment and notably shorter than the discontinued Fiat 500X in North America. The vehicle’s small size is a defining characteristic, appealing to the European market’s preference for smaller, city-friendly cars.
The design of the Grande Panda is a significant highlight, characterized by numerous intricate details. Its exterior boasts a modern and concept-like appearance, with pixel-themed headlights and taillights similar to those on the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Grande Panda (Fiat)
The car also features the word “PANDA” in a bas-relief style on its sides and “FIAT” on the rear hatch, enhancing its distinctive look. The 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels continue the pixel theme, nodding to the 1980s geometric design and the original Panda 4×4.
Built on the Stellantis Smart Car platform, the Grande Panda shares its foundation with the newly launched Citroën ë-C3. This platform allows the Grande Panda to offer both hybrid and electric powertrain options. The shared platform underscores Stellantis’s strategy of platform consolidation to enhance efficiency and reduce development costs.
Although Fiat has yet to release official specifications, the electric Grande Panda is expected to feature a 44.0-kWh battery pack, offering around 199 miles of range based on the European WLTP cycle. The electric motor will likely produce 113 horsepower.
The hybrid variant is anticipated to mirror the Citroën C3’s setup, combining a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a modest power boost. This dual powertrain approach aims to cater to diverse consumer preferences in the European market.
