- The Fiat Panda will get a new generation in 2030, offering hybrid and EV powertrain options.
- As with the Grande Panda, the design of the city car will be inspired by the boxy original.
- Fiat is also working on a compact SUV and a Fastback, set to expand its European lineup.
Fiat largely owes its existence to city cars such as the 500 and the Panda. This is why Stellantis has given the green light to new generations of both models, which are already under development in both hybrid and EV forms.
The third-generation Fiat Panda was introduced in 2012 but is expected to soldier on until the end of the decade. The Fiat Grande Panda wasn’t designed as a Panda replacement, as it’s marketed as a supermini (B-Segment) rather than being a city car (A-Segment). This role will be fulfilled by the fourth-gen Fiat Panda which is scheduled to debut in 2030.
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Speaking to Autocar, Fiat CEO Olivier Francois, gave a few hints about the design of the city car and its relation to the slightly bigger Grande Panda:
“I expect the design of the Panda replacement to be a bit closer to the original Panda of the ’80s. When you see the Grande Panda and the Panda next to each other, you will see mama bear and baby bear. It will be really cute. It won’t just be a smaller version of the Grande Panda but it will have visual links, the same roots and the iconic silhouette”.
Fiat Grande Panda
The new Panda will ride on the STLA City underpinnings – a Fiat-derived platform that is different from the Smart Car and the STLA Small architectures. The same chassis underpins the Fiat 500e, which will be joined by the mild-hybrid 500 Ibrida later in 2025. It is also expected to be used in the next-generation 500, which has been officially confirmed to be under development.
Stellantis has pledged the keep production of both the Panda and the 500 in Italy. The Panda will continue being manufactured at the Pomigliano plant, while the 500 will be built in the Mirafiori facilities.
A Growing Lineup
Besides city cars, the Italian automaker wants to expand its lineup to new segments. However, its CEO made it clear that no Fiat product will be longer than 4.5 m (177.2 inches), in a quest to avoid internal competition with other Stellantis brands like the similarly-positioned Citroen.
Last year’s Panda-themed concepts are expected to evolve into production models, set to be launched by 2027. These will include an SUV, positioned in the “lower end of the compact segment”, and a Fastback that will serve as a crossover-style replacement for the Tipo.
More: Fiat Was Stellantis’ Best-Selling Brand Globally, Even With An 11% Drop
Both of them will ride on the Smart Car architecture which is already being used by the Fiat Grande Panda, the Citroen C3/C3 Aircross, and the Opel Frontera, and is compatible with ICE, hybrid, and EV powertrain options. Finally, a compact pickup will replace the Fiat Strada in South America, most likely riding on the same underpinnings.
Fiat’s current lineup in Europe is limited to the 500, 600, Panda, and Grande Panda, after the company was forced to discontinue the 500X and the Tipo last summer due to safety regulations. Commenting on the axed models, Francois said: “Things were tough but we have come through”.
FIat Concepts (2024)
