The Panda from the 80s is living a second life in a 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 meters in length — below the segment average — from 1.57 meters in height and 1.76 meters in width (without mirrors), guaranteeing comfort for 5 people. The family mover truly embodies its forerunner’s values through the strength it conveys and its structured volume. Its Italian design and beauty can be seen in its bold surfaces which have been embellished by soft lines, from the robust wheel arches to the rear and front skid plates in silver. 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, emphasized 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 unexpected 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 surprising 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.
Moreover, the inspiration from past trends is reflected in the PXL LED lamps, which recall the famous 80s video game, 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 result in an unparalleled combination and create a distinctive and evocative look. Pursuing FIAT’s “No Grey” initiative, the new jewel will come in seven liveries – Limone yellow, Luna Bronze, Acqua azure, Lago blue, Passione red, Cinema black, and Gelato white – which embody Italians’ colorful lifestyle and reflect FIAT’s DNA.
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. In this perspective, it boasts some of the best shoulder roominess in the segment which adds even more to its already special habitability. Indeed, the Grande Panda hides spacious storage in unexpected parts of the vehicle such as the 13 liters dashboard, 3 liters of which can be found in just one stowage compartment. Additionally, the Grande Panda presents above-average trunk space, with 361 L of maximum capacity (electric version), making this vehicle the perfect choice for family business and everyday shopping.
In keeping with its colorful strategy, FIAT brings attention to cheerful details that enrich the interiors 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, bringing joy to the drivers and their passengers. Furthermore, the main interior theme includes a special color named Blu Tasmania, which perfectly matches the splashes of color. Furthermore, the Italian and FIAT influence can be seen in the Grande Panda through some singular elements: the 10’’ cluster and 10.25” digital radio feature a one-of-a-kind style which calls back to the shape of the Lingotto track or the headlamp and rear lamp, made up of opal cubes, recalling 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 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). With the electric version of the Fiat Grande Panda, FIAT prioritized one of its essential values: affordability. The electric features of the new model allow the brand to offer a cool but affordable vehicle to those who want to take part in the electric transition but cannot invest too much in the cause.
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 liter, 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. The additional electric power boosts flexibility at low RPMs and during acceleration, delivering a smooth and quiet start along with responsive transitions. Additionally, this technology allows for energy recovery during deceleration.
Thanks to the Miller Cycle, the vehicle achieves an estimated CO2 output of 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 gasoline consumption. Likewise, the electric engine boosts the vehicle’s efficiency and dynamics, and enabling 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. All the advantages are achieved also thanks to the dual-clutch transmission and the responsiveness of the powertrain.
Both the electric and hybrid versions embody the “easy drive” philosophy, offering an unprecedented level of simplicity: just two pedals ensure a relaxed and effortless driving experience, particularly suited for urban environments.
Recharging has never been simpler and cleaner: the world’s first integrated charging cable
Simplicity and ingenuity are two core values of the brand that find various applications in the Grande Panda. One of these is the retractable charging cable. This unique feature in the automotive industry likely best represents lateral thinking and the pursuit of clever yet simple solutions that address even the latent needs of our customers. A simple idea that answers the question of why get your hands dirty to charge the car and why take up space in the trunk in addition, it simplifies the charging process, thanks to its user-friendly design. Depending on the market, FIAT customers can choose between two recharging options for the Grande Panda. The 11-kW model offers higher recharge speeds in the backport, while the 7-kW model, with the retractable integrated cable in addition, makes recharging quick and easy, thanks to its length of 4.5 meters, enabling customers to conveniently recharge their vehicle. In both cases, the Grande Panda can be charged at home with a 7-kW Wallbox, at 1,5-kW or 3-kW with a Mode2 charging cable, or on the go with 100-kW DC stations.
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.
First, 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. For each Grande Panda, FIAT recovers precisely that 20% to create the vehicle interiors’ blue plastic parts called Lapolen Ecotek. The result of this ecological process is explicitly perceivable through a shimmering effect given by the aluminium in the plastic blue details.
Second, 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 fibers, to create Grande Panda’s dashboard wrapping. The dashboard of the La Prima version is coated with a special textile composition specifically created for the Grande Panda that not only recalls the bamboo externally but also in its structure: 33% of this fabric is made of real and pure bamboo fibers.
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 color. In its electric version, Grande Panda will have a starting price of less than €25,000 in Europe.
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 latter provides extra benefits compared to basic smartphone stations, with the Autolaunch equipped with NFC technology activated by simply laying the phone on the station and the Home button, located on the dashboard, allowing the user to quickly return to the main screen or application interface by pressing it. This button provides easy access to the home screen, ensuring a seamless transition between different functions or apps while driving.
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, impacting on the look of the vehicle. Seats with a 60/40 configuration are also featured, allowing for flexible use of both seating and cargo space, as well as an armrest for added comfort, and an upholstered dashboard, providing a more refined look to the interiors.
