FIAT GRANDE PANDA BEGINS ITS GLOBAL JOURNEY BY TAKING ON THE B-SEGMENT IN EUROPE
The Fiat Grande Panda makes 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—a 3.99 metres in length — below the segment average — from 1.57 metres in height and 1.76 metres in width (without mirrors), offering comfort for 5 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 4 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, with the lamps 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 create 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, which 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 some singular elements such as the 10’’ cluster and 10.25” digital radio which feature 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.
Thanks to the Miller Cycle, the vehicle achieves an estimated CO2 output of just 123g (provisional pre-homologation figures) making it highly competitive with other brands. The hybrid powertrain offers numerous advantages, including the e-launch function—the ability to start in 100% electric mode—to provide a smooth, silent startup with zero petrol consumption. Likewise, the electric engine boosts the vehicle’s efficiency and dynamics and enables the ICE to turn off in certain situations. It happens when traveling in the city or on rural roads with smooth driving, providing up to 1 km electric range at speeds below 30km/h. It engages also in stable conditions, on flat road or on highway with a downhill slope when the driver releases the accelerator, enabling efficient power demand and battery management. The e-creeping function relies solely on electric power and is primarily used for making short forward movements without pressing the accelerator, such as when one is stuck in traffic (e-queueing). It also used to park in 100% electric drive, either in first gear or in reverse (e-parking). The benefits of this technology are immediate with reduced consumption, greater environmental respect, less noise pollution, enhanced comfort, and a more enjoyable driving experience.
FIAT’s sustainable milestone: impactful materials used to produce the new global model
Enhancing FIAT’s pioneering role within the automotive industry in terms of sustainability, the Grande Panda also offers customers the chance to choose an eco-friendly and ethical mobility solution thanks to the use of sustainable materials in its production. Each Grande Panda contains the recycled material from 140 beverage cartons. Indeed, in an automotive first, FIAT plays a crucial role in extraction and recycling. Each of the 140 beverage carton bottles used per vehicle consists of 80% carton and 20% non-recyclable plastics and aluminium, usually thrown away during recycling. FIAT reached another milestone in the automotive industry using, for the Grande Panda La Prima version, “BAMBOX Bamboo Fiber Tex®”, a dedicated textile containing real bamboo fibres, to create Grande Panda’s dashboard wrapping.
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). Established in 2021, the partnership exemplifies the shared belief that each of us can make a difference. For the ease of the customer, FIAT provides two options, and the customer only has to choose the colour.
The hybrid version in POP, ICON, and LA PRIMA trims
First off, there is the POP trim, the no-frills entry version that gets straight to the point: complete ADAS, manual air conditioning, 10” cluster, automatic eDCT, Electric Parking Brake (EPB) and, for its drivers’ amusement, connected services through the dedicated smartphone station.
The Icon configuration, the “core” version, has been created to provide customers with high levels of modern features such as infotainment system with 10,25” screen, headlights and tail lights with LED technology. Indeed, this version allows them to upgrade their equipment through two packs: tech or style. The tech pack features automatic climate control, embedded and connected navigation, front parking sensors and rearview camera, and a wireless charger enhancing comfort, safety, and convenience; meanwhile, the style pack includes 16-inch alloy wheels, roof racks, skid plates, and privacy glasses, adding to the look of the vehicle.
Capping off the hybrid range, there is the Grande Panda La Prima, the flagship of the first model of the brand’s new family. What sets it apart is clearly visible in its dedicated 17" alloy wheels, high-quality fabrics, and innovative “BAMBOX Bamboo Fiber Tex®”, also including all features provided by both tech and style packs.
ADAS
The Fiat Grande Panda features a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for a safe and convenient driving experience. Key options include Parking Assistance with rear sensors (and standard on La Prima front sensor and rearview camera), as well as assisted driving features like Cruise Control, Speed Limiter, Active Safety Brake and Lane Keeping Assist.
Connected services for every need
Traveling with peace of mind is becoming more affordable than ever with Fiat Grande Panda. With its 10” digital cluster, 10,25” touchscreen which guarantees wireless mirroring to have all the phone functions on the big central screen, and the wireless phone charger combined with up to 4 x USB-C fast charging, life onboard has never been easier. A selection of connected services will also be available to help make each drive safer, life easier and every trip exciting, including SOS Help Call, Vehicle Finder, Connected Navigation and e-ROUTES.
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.