Scoop: Fiat’s reborn Panda plans
Fiat CEO promises a ‘democratic’ electric car inspired by Centoventi.
Words by: Luke Wilkinson
Illustration: Avarvarii
THE SCOOP - PANDA
PANDA REBORN AS EV FOR 2024
STILL AN ICON
There’s still strong appetite for the current Panda, particularly in its home market. In fact, the Panda is the best-selling car in Italy in the first half of 2023, according to JATO research, and Reuters reports that Fiat will continue to manufacture it until 2026. But the brand needs more EVs in its mix to lower its emissions fleet average.
CENTOVENTI LIVES
While the new ‘democratic’ EV supermini won’t be a carbon copy of 2019’s Centoventi concept, it’ll take heavy design inspiration from the much-loved concept. ‘Many things about Centoventi were explorations. But obviously, what you are going to see in the future, you will recognise a lot of inspiration from it,’ says Francois.
THE BOSS SPEAKS
Fiat’s charismatic brand CEO, Olivier Francois, sees the potential: ‘There’s room to make another B-segment car, more in the democratic, essential space. Will this be like the Panda or something else? Too early to tell, but I think that our offering in the around-four-metre cars could accommodate another product.’
COMMON DNA
Given Francois says the Panda replacement will be about four metres long, it won’t use the 500e platform, but PSA’s e-CMP architecture used in the Avenger and new 600e. That means that, as well as e-power, the Panda replacement will likely be available with an engine in other markets, such as South America.
Simple, tough and 'democratic' – and launching next year