Retro Fiat Grande Panda Revealed With Little Power But Loads Of Style
Key Takeaways
- New Fiat Grande Panda makes its debut with funky, retro-inspired styling.
- Will be offered in all-electric and hybrid guises.
- Unlikely to be sold in the United States.
Fiat has released the first images of the new Grande Panda, its funky, electrified entry into the hotly contested subcompact segment. The automaker hasn’t shared many details yet but says the quirky little crossover will be offered in hybrid and electric forms. We anticipate the ‘Big Panda’ will share its drivetrains with the Fiat 600e, which is available as a 154-horsepower electric vehicle or a 1.2-liter hybrid with 99 hp.
We expect more details to be shared at a later date. We do know, however, that the Grande Panda is based on the STLA Smart Platform, which also underpins the Citroën e-C3. Therefore, it’s possible that Fiat could also share its drivetrain with its French cousin. In that case, we can expect the hybrid to offer 100 hp and the EV to have 111 horses. There’s no word yet on the drivetrain configuration, but we expect front-wheel drive to be the default. Hopefully, the Panda 4×4 will be offered to continue the legacy of the rugged little off-roader.
2024 Fiat 500e
- Horsepower
- 117 hp
- Torque
- 162 lb-ft
- Transmission
- Single Speed Automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- 0-60 MPH
- 8.5 seconds
Retro Styling Is An Absolute Delight
In the meantime, all we have are images of the delightful exterior. Styling is subjective, but this writer thinks Fiat has knocked it out of the park. The Grande Panda pays tribute to its heritage with retro cues mixed with modern detailing. It’s also rather refreshing to see a new vehicle that eschews the aggressive styling that is en vogue for something refreshing and cheerful.
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The front end has an offset Fiat badge, a subtle nod to the original Panda. The fascia has pixel-graphic headlights made of opal cubes. Fiat says this “reflects the windows on the facades of the Lingotto factory.” A raised ride height, black plastic cladding, and a skid plate add an element of toughness and hint at a potential 4×4 drivetrain. The boxy, wedge-shaped profile harks back to the ’80s original, while the ‘Panda’ model name is embossed into the doors for a modern touch.
“With the Grande Panda, Fiat now begins its transition to global common platforms that cover all regions of the world, passing on the resulting benefits to its customers worldwide. In fact, the Grande Panda is perfectly suited for families and urban mobility in every country… a real Fiat!”
– Olivier Francois, Fiat CEO and Stellantis Global CMO.
Coming To America?
Round back, additional offset model badges can be found. Overall, the Grande Panda is an evolution of the Fiat Concept City Car revealed earlier this year, alongside several other concepts. Sadly, we don’t expect the little Fiat to reach North America, with the automaker noting it will be sold in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Fiat fans in the US will have to settle for the 500e. Despite its name suggesting a lot of size, the Grande Panda measures just 157 inches in length, although the automaker claims the interior has enough space for five passengers. Unfortunately, Fiat has yet to share images of the cabin.
Related
Next-Gen Fiat Panda Will Be MUCH Cheaper Than Expected
But will it work in the USA?
The Grande Panda is the latest Fiat to be launched, with the company planning on introducing a new vehicle every year until 2027. The new Panda is sure to be a hit but will have to contend with rivals from within the Stellantis group (such as the Citroën e-C3) and the Dacia Spring and let’s not forget that Volkswagen and Renault are also working on their own affordable EVs that will take the Grande Panda to task. We expect additional details – such as pricing and availability – to follow at a later date. Keep in mind that the old Panda, now known as the Pandina, will be sold alongside the Grande Panda for a couple of years.
