Today is an exciting day, as Fiat has revealed its new Grande Panda, a baby crossover-ish hatchback that is completely adorable. If you can believe it, this is only the fourth generation of to emerge since 1980 when the original model was revealed, and that one was in production until 2003! While it probably won’t be offered with all-wheel drive unlike previous Pandas — there will be a still-small Panda SUV for that — the Grande Panda channels the original in overall spirit. The Grande Panda is built on Stellantis’ Smart Car platform, which also underpins the Citroën C3 and other future models.
At 157 inches long it’s smaller than other B-segment cars, though it’s about a foot longer than the old Panda and a couple inches longer than a new three-door Mini. Fiat has yet to detail the powertrains, but like its Citroën sibling the Grande Panda will be offered with fully electric or mild-hybrid internal-combustion options. Who cares what powers it — look how cute it is! Fiat says “the new Fiat Grande Panda’s ‘Italianness’ becomes immediately apparent through its iconic and ironic Italian design which is synonymous with beauty.
” I couldn’t have said it better myself. For such a diminutive car the Grande Panda has a strong stance thanks to blocky flared fenders, an upright greenhouse and an overall silhouette like that of the original car. It has a distinctive face with pixel lights that Fiat says “reflect the windows on the façades of the Lingotto.