How affordable is the new Fiat Grande Panda?
Fiat turns 125 and decides to get a new Panda. For the first time, ntv.de had the opportunity to get a feel of the little one, now named Grande Panda.
The first images of the new Grande Panda, excuse me, Grande Panda, had already surfaced a few weeks ago. But now, right on time for its 125th birthday, Fiat granted the first journalists a short test drive. The Italian car had kept its interior a secret until now.
The protagonist was then put on display, adorned with various special models of the 500e (for example, "Giorgio Armani"). Fiat paraded the corresponding examples through the crowd, allowing them to be examined up close. In addition, the message was conveyed that the previous 500e would be available as a hybrid starting in 2026. And as a little treat, a playfully attractive concept car in the trekking style flashed across the screens.
But the main product of this event is undoubtedly the Grande Panda. And the name is fitting; rumored to be 3.99 meters long, it would surpass the old one by a significant 34 centimeters. But it's still compact enough to keep stressed drivers in crowded city centers free from stress. Given that it would come in various powertrain configurations (as announced), it was reasonable to assume. After all, it's based on the so-called Smart Car Platform, whose foundation stone (Common Modular Platform) was laid under PSA with the help of Tata Consultancy, a company within the Tata Group, to which Jaguar and Land Rover also belong.
Grande Panda gets Electric and Hybrid
Meanwhile, vehicles built on this chassis increasingly come with hybrid drives featuring a 28 PS electric motor and, in most cases, a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine or affordable all-electric drives. The key to cost savings lies in the use of Lithium-Iron-Phosphate batteries. These batteries are cheaper to produce than Lithium-Ion batteries, do not contain cobalt (an environmental concern), and are known for their longevity.
However, their energy density is lower, which is why the new Citroën e-C3, for example, requires 44 kWh. The factory promises a WLTP range of 320 kilometers - an interestingly exact match to the electric Grande Panda's range, for which the Italians are currently keeping quiet about further specifications.
The good news: The electric C3's battery charges quickly, reportedly in just 26 minutes from 20% to 80%. This should also apply to the youngest Italian. And regarding its price, there's already a hint. Lars Bialkowski, managing director of Stellantis Germany GmbH, explained in response to a query: "Fiat has been providing intelligent and affordable mobility for the masses for 125 years. The all-electric version of the Grande Panda continues this tradition for under 25,000 Euros."
Now that the dense crowd on the roof of the Lingotto Works in Turin, which has been closed since the early 1980s, has thinned out, there's also the possibility of a brief test drive. Before that, the Grande Panda, with its distinctive pixel headlights, silently rolled over the famous test track in just under 30 height meters. Electric motors are perfect for this, as the roof of the former automobile factory now serves as a garden with hundreds of plant species.
And it fits perfectly that the responsible team for the Grande Panda "Upcycling" materials has planned something. Which exactly, we'll have to wait and see. But the announced bamboo decor can now be inspected up close and can certainly be described as stylish. In addition, the brown lacquered booth with its lively yellow accents inside is also appealing. There are also so-called "Easter eggs" - in the form of a small miniature car in the area of the large display unit. It's already clear that the climate control automation is operated with physical buttons. Whether the conventional key in the ignition switch will still be found in the versions sold in this country (it's in the demo car) - an intriguing question. It seems a bit outdated.
A glance into the second row gives hope that we'll be able to travel longer with more than one person in the Grande Panda - because the legroom is sufficient for the segment. The Grande Panda as a city car, really? That might not be exactly it, but an affordable multifunctional vehicle in cool design with the one or other technical finesse would be nice as a continuation of the now 44-year-old Panda history.
Bialkowski is confident that the car will make it: "Stellantis has had a very successful first half-year in Germany. With the new Fiat Grande Panda and the other new models of our brands planned for this year, we have good chances of continuing this trend in the coming months." Well then, it's time for the city bug to roll to the dealers. Roughly estimated, the fall is approaching. And of course, you'll find out how the little Italian drives at ntv.de before that.
In the future, the new Grande Panda will offer various powertrain configurations, including electric and hybrid options, as part of Stellantis's commitment to electromobility and the production of more affordable electric cars. The affordable all-electric variant of the Grande Panda is expected to be priced under 25,000 Euros, continuing Fiat's tradition of providing intelligent and affordable mobility for the masses.
As we look towards the future of Fiat Models, it's clear that electromobility is playing a significant role, with the new Grande Panda being just one example of this shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles, demonstrating Stellantis's dedication to this field and the environment.
