Reborn Fiat Panda debuts with electric and mild hybrid models
Fiat’s Grande Panda will arrive in the UK this spring, positioned as one of the UK’s most affordable electric cars.
The first of a new Fiat family due to arrive in the coming years, it draws on the original Panda of the 1980s with its retro-inspired styling and will be available from £18,975 for the mild hybrid model and £20,975 in fully electric guise.
Previewed last year, it rivals the Renault 5 and Hyundai Inster, along with the closely related Citroën C3 and fully electric ë-C3, and the Vauxhall Frontera. Built on the same Stellantis Smart Car Platform as its Citroën and Vauxhall cousins, it undercuts them on price.
The fully electric version features the same setup as the ë-C3 and the Frontera, combining a 44kWh battery with a 113hp electric motor. Official WLTP range stands at 199 miles and the electric Fiat Grande Panda has a top speed of 82mph and a 0-62mph acceleration in 11 seconds (or 11.5 for the top trim).
Fiat says it’s the first car on the market to include an integrated, retractable charging cable at the front, in addition to the rear charging port. It’s capable of charging at up to 7kW, completing a charge from 20% to 80% in four hours and 20 minutes, or can be equipped with a rear-only 11kW charging port with a recharging time from 20% to 80% in two hours and 50 minutes. Standard DC fast charging capability stands at 100kW, enabling a charge in 27 minutes.
The mild hybrid, seen widely across the Stellantis line-up, teams up a 100hp 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine with a 48V Li-ion battery, 28hp electric motor and electrified six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The Grande Panda has clear design links to its forebear and “leads the brand into the future with strong personality and surprising solutions”.
The front-end is dominated by pixel-style LEDs and a full-width black panel instead of a traditional grille along with prominent Panda branding.
The interior features blue plastic taken from recycled aluminum and plastic components from beverage cartons along with a ‘Bambox Bamboo Fiber Tex’ textile containing real bamboo fibres for the dashboard wrapping on top-spec versions and yellow accents.
Designed for family life and urban mobility, the Grande Panda can carry up to five people and features practical solutions such as 13 litres of storage in the dashboard and 361 litres of boot space for the electric version.
The line-up starts with the mild hybrid in Icon and La Prima grades, priced from £18,975 and £20,795.
Icon models include a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, headlights and tail lights with LED technology, 16-inch black alloy wheels, roof rails and skid plates, manual air conditioning, rear parking sensors, cruise control, speed limiter, active safety brake and lane keeping assist.
The La Prima flagship upgrades to 17-inch alloy wheels, plusher materials and the bamboo fabric, plus front sensors and rear-view camera.
The electric model is available in two trims. The entry level ‘Red’ version, priced from £20,975, continues Fiat’s work with the eponymous global organisation to fight AIDs and replicates the Icon spec list but with 16-inch white steel wheels and the ‘Red’ logo on the B-pillar.
The top-of-the-range La Prima electric model is priced from £23,975 and features the same kit as the mild hybrid model.
Pursuing FIAT’s ‘No Grey’ initiative, paintwork choices span seven standout colours: Limone yellow, Luna Bronze, Acqua azure, Lago blue, Passione red, Cinema black and Gelato white.
The Fiat Grande Panda, both electric and hybrid, will arrive at UK dealerships in spring 2025.
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day. Natalie edits all the Fleet World websites and newsletters, and loves to hear about any latest industry news - or gossip.
