Fiat’s plan to develop its entire range around the 500 and Panda nameplates includes the development of a crossover called the Panda XL, which will be based on the same platform as the future small Jeep SUV and the Fiat 500X. According to a report from Auto Bild, this means the Panda XL will also have a 4×4 option.
Just like the Fiat 500L MPV, the Panda XL won’t have much in common with the Panda city car except the name. However, the crossover is expected to borrow some design cues from the boxy small car.
The Panda XL – at least in its front-wheel drive configuration – may as well be the successor of Fiat’s Bravo compact hatchback, just like the Nissan Qashqai replaced the Almera, the report says.
Since both the 500X and the small Jeep will be built in Fiat’s Melfi plant starting early next year, it’s safe to say the Panda XL could also be assembled there, as the carmaker has said in the past that the Melfi facility will manufacture four models.
Fiat currently sells an AWD version of the Panda called the Panda 4×4 (pictured), which uses the same bodywork and chassis as the regular Panda but features a higher road clearance and more rugged looks.
By Dan Mihalascu
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