Fiat Reveals the New Grande Panda

Published on 29 January, 2025

New Panda set to shake up the B-segment 

Overview

The Fiat Grande Panda has made its debut equipped with both electric and hybrid powertrains, taking on the entire B-segment, a segment where FIAT has been a leader for decades. The new Fiat Grande Panda, the first model of the new global family, truly represents the Italian brand for its Italian design, compactness, inclusivity, and sustainability. Reflecting the brand’s signature style, the new model is an ideal fit for both family and urban life. Designed at the Centro Stile in Turin, the Fiat Grande Panda is notable for its compact size and features clean lines with a well-organised interior. The car’s robust and structured appearance, along with its dynamic wedge-shaped design, emphasises its strength and distinctive character.

The Grande Panda is the first FIAT built on the Stellantis “Smart Car Platform.” This new “family mover” is socially significant due to its flexible and versatile multi-energy platform, which can cater to the needs and expectations of customers from various markets. The Grande Panda is the first model of a new FIAT car family set to be introduced in the coming years. FIAT’s innovative project aims to produce this new global car family using the same Smart Car platform. This approach enables the brand to develop a variety of vehicles and meet the diverse needs of customers around the globe.

An Italian Design Inspired by an Icon

The Panda from the 80s is living a second life in the modern era thanks to the new model, showcasing a cool personality with iconic features and its Italian signature from the Centro Stile in Turin. This is the first time that “Grande” does not mean large. The Grande Panda is unique for its compact size—3.99 metres in length, 1.57 metres in height, and 1.76 metres in width (without mirrors)—offering comfort for five people. The new model truly embodies its forerunner’s values through the strength it conveys and its structured volume. Its design has been conceived to be simple but functional and surprising, claiming the “Italianness” of which the brand is proud thanks to the vehicle’s iconicity.

The prominence of the wheel arches, emphasised by structured lines and soft and bold surfaces, conveys a self-confident and protective personality thanks to a stable appearance. The exterior look is also enriched by many design elements that go back to FIAT’s origins as the new creation is proudly a Panda. Among them, the lettering on the car reaffirms the brand’s roots with details such as the 3D-branded, low-relief “PANDA” letters on the doors and the “FIAT” ones on the rear.

In addition, the lenticular print on the C-pillar that goes from the modern FIAT logo and the four FIAT stripes creates a dynamic visual effect. The lettering also appears on the rear in a glossy black bezel, which shows the three-dimensional letters of Panda, and on the front with the FIAT logo. The inspiration from past trends is also reflected in the PXL LED lamps, which recall 80s video games, merging functionality with style. Indeed, the captivating X design, together with the black pillar finishes and the 17” diamond-cut alloy wheels with FIAT logo hubcaps, creates a distinctive and evocative look. Pursuing FIAT’s “No Grey” initiative, the new model will come in seven colours: Limone yellow, Luna Bronze, Acqua azure, Lago blue, Passione red, Cinema black, and Gelato white.

Compact Outside, Roomy Inside

The Grande Panda can carry up to five people in absolute comfort thanks to its roominess and smart use of space. Indeed, the Grande Panda hides spacious storage in unexpected parts of the vehicle, such as the 13 litres within the dashboard. Additionally, the Grande Panda presents above-average boot space, with 361 litres of maximum capacity (electric version), making this vehicle the perfect choice for family business and everyday shopping.

In keeping with its colourful strategy, FIAT brings attention to cheerful details in the interior of the Grande Panda. Specifically, the infotainment area with the tunnel pad, the dashboard, the vents, and the seats’ stitching are embellished with yellow details. The main interior theme includes a special colour named Blu Tasmania, which perfectly matches the splashes of colour. Furthermore, the Italian and FIAT influence can be seen in the Grande Panda through singular elements such as the 10’’ cluster and 10.25” digital radio, featuring a unique style inspired by the shape of the Lingotto track and the opal cubes in the headlamp and rear lamp, which recall the windows on the façades of the Lingotto factory.

Grande Panda: Electric and Hybrid Powertrains

The firstborn in FIAT’s new family will be available in both electric and hybrid versions. With a 44 kWh battery and an 83 kW e-motor (113 HP), the electric Grande Panda offers 320 km of range in the WLTP combined cycle, making it the perfect vehicle for urban daily use and weekend getaways. The electric Fiat Grande Panda boasts a maximum speed of 132 km/h and a 0-50 km/h acceleration in 4.2 seconds (0-100 km/h in 11 seconds).

The new global model is equipped with an integrated AC retractable cable at the front (in addition to the rear charging port), capable of charging at up to 7 kW, completing a charge from 20% to 80% in 4 hours and 20 minutes. As an alternative to the retractable cable setup, based on customer preference or specific market requirements, a rear-only 11 kW charging port can be chosen, with a recharging time from 20% to 80% in 2 hours and 50 minutes. For both solutions, a standard DC fast charging port at the rear is included, offering 100 kW charging power and completing a charge in just 27 minutes.

The Hybrid version is equipped with a turbo 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder engine, 100 HP, a 48-volt Li-ion battery, and the 6-speed electric dual-clutch transmission (eDCT), which includes the 21-kW e-motor, inverter, and transmission central unit. All these elements work in synergy, driving the Grande Panda's performance to the next level.

A Special Lineup: Two Configurations for the 100% Electric Version

The new family mover in its electric version comes in two configurations: its fully loaded, top-of-the-range Grande Panda La Prima and the (Grande Panda)RED, a more accessible and even more socially relevant model that supports a cause. The latter features distinctive design elements such as the 16” white steel wheels and the “RED” logo on the B-pillar. The (Grande Panda)RED also represents FIAT’s commitment to global health in partnership with (RED).

The Hybrid Version in POP, ICON, and LA PRIMA Trims

The entry-level POP trim includes complete ADAS, manual air conditioning, a 10” cluster, automatic eDCT, and Electric Parking Brake (EPB). The Icon configuration, the “core” version, offers modern features such as a 10.25” infotainment screen and LED lighting, with tech and style packs available. The flagship La Prima trim includes 17” alloy wheels, premium fabrics, and sustainable materials like BAMBOX Bamboo Fiber Tex®.

Pricing and Availability

The new FIAT Grande Panda is due to arrive in Ireland from April this year, with the electric version arriving first, followed shortly after by the hybrid version. Full details of specifications and pricing for the Irish market will be available closer to launch.

Sinead McCann

Sinéad is our resident car tester who has the unenviable (-ok, slightly enviable) task of reviewing all the latest new cars to hit the market. You can follow her on Twitter @smcani and on Instagram @whatshedrives