In pictures: New Fiat Panda makes a Grande entrance
Fiat has reinvented its city car for the electric age, so just how Grande is the new Panda?
The latest car from Fiat turns its classic Italian feel on its head and marks the beginning of a modern styling with the same fun intent. The design of the Grande Panda was revealed before its 125th birthday, but the real show began on the rooftop of the Lingotto Building, Turin, Italy, and EV Powered was there to pore over the details of this grand new Panda’s design.
The new face and feel of Fiat?
At first glance, the Grande Panda’s upright face resembles a Jeep Avenger but with a slightly softer and less mature feel to it. There’s also a hint of Jeep in the Panda’s crosshead tail lights, but this is far more than the ‘borrowing’ of ideas from other brands. The crosshead shape features in various ways around the car – from the headlights to the wheel shape – and there’s a clear emphasis on geometric shapes, reflected in both the interior and exterior of this boxy, rugged, yet bubbly EV.
The square shape, roof rails and black body cladding all give off the impression that this car is a crossover vehicle. However, everything inside the car — and the specs — suggest the Grande Panda is far from that. Personally, I think more (or even less) could have been done to acknowledge the city-style roots of Fiat. The boxy style and SUV cues are nods to famous Pandas of the past, but this car is going nowhere that warrants plastic protection from mud and rocks or silver scrub guards on the front and rear bumpers.
If you’re still in any doubt that this boxy newcomer is a Panda, the name is stamped in the side panels and sticks proudly out from the tailgate. Fiat’s distinctive retro logo is also prominently displayed on the front and rear. Speaking of which, the new all-caps logo is here to stay and behind the one on the front of the car is a cool new feature that I’m sure other car makers might steal in the future.
Press the Fiat badge and it pops open to reveal a bright yellow spiral AC charging cable nestled in the front panel. There is still a standard CCS charging port at the rear for DC demands, but this clever solution helps simplify home AC charging and keep things tidy inside and outside the car.
‘Grande’ elements of the Panda’s interior
While the car looks quite big in photos, most of the interior space is gifted to the driver and front-seat passenger. Anyone sitting in the rear will have to hope the driver isn’t too tall, as legroom back there feels pretty limited. On the plus side, rear passengers do get adjustable headrests while the front seats don’t – something that could be a mark down for comfort and adjustability.
Besides the space, the inside of the new Panda is certainly quirky. You can begin to see some elements carried across from the Fiat range and the current-generation Panda, such as the exposed cubby at the front and the overall curvature of the dashboard. Both the driver and passenger have plenty of ‘chucking’ space for bits and bobs that they might need to get their hands on later.
The ‘panda food’ Bambox – made from sustainable bamboo fibres – accents the deep blue-ness of the interior (most likely unique to the colourway I sat in) and creates further contrast against the blocky features like the steering wheel, display, and air vents. Not to mention, the natural style of bamboo makes a clean break from the two-tone interior colours and fluorescent accents.
Speaking of fluorescent accents, the Panda brings big car tech to the small car segment with two large two digital screens which are framed by bright yellow trim in a neat oblong panel. This sits out from the dash and helps create a feeling of openness at odds with its compact size.
Besides these features, and the mini Panda car on the dashboard trim, there are few further interior elements to admire as the buttons and stereo setup are minimal with no real nuance.
Minimal being a keyword, it feels as though Fiat has done a lot with less and accented the car well in order for it to stand out. I do like the single toggle switch for driving modes. Without driving the car, though, it is difficult to say whether the ‘C’ for ‘City Mode’ is worth the inclusion. Just from a short perch in the driver’s seat, it already gives off the ‘city car’ vibe.
And beneath the crisp looks is a technical setup that lends itself to urban living. A modest 111bhp motor powers the new Panda, fed by a 44kWh battery that should offer up to 195 miles of driving range.
What the Grande Panda lacks in power it makes up for with charm. After all, it is inspired by Italians and made for Italians. We’ll report back on whether it works for everyone else as soon as we get out on the road in it.
