Fiat’s pint-sized Panda is reinvented for the electrical age, albeit as a compact crossover

The Fiat Grande Panda arrives in showrooms in early 2025 aiming to not solely rebalance the Italian model’s present over-reliance on its 500 mannequin but in addition herald a brand new household of functional-but-fun autos.

The sluggish drip-drip of data began again in early 2024 with computer-generated pictures of a possible five-strong vary – together with a metropolis automobile, camper, fastback, pick-up and SUV – however now journalists have been invited to go for a spin within the first mannequin to make manufacturing, the supermini-sized Grande Panda.

The excellent news is that first impressions, up shut, are optimistic. Even on a wet rooftop in its design birthplace of Turin, the Grande Panda cuts a splash in quite a lot of exterior colors. And never simply in launch “Limone Yellow”, which exhibits off its chunky and strong proportions successfully, whereas contrasting properly with the darker areas across the upright entrance and rear pixel lights, wheel arch cladding and central window pillars.

In markets now awash with (primarily Chinese language) new model EV entrants, Fiat has determined to lean closely into its model’s 125 years of automotive know-how in addition to the still-strong recognition of the 45-year-old Panda mannequin identify. The marque and mannequin are namechecked all around the automobile, in and out, however in graphically slick and traditionally brand-appropriate methods, most notably within the massive all-caps ‘PANDA’ phrase mark stamped into the decrease physique sides.

The Grande Panda is so-called, as a result of at 3.99 metres lengthy, it’s a lot larger than Giugiaro’s 3380mm 1980 authentic – from which it takes appreciable design inspiration – and in addition as a result of the prevailing smaller Panda which can stay in manufacturing in some markets.

Leaping inside, cabin house upfront feels respectable and the dashboard view authentic. The inside aesthetic is softer-shaped than the outside and dominated by an extended lozenge-shape dashboard, which Fiat’s PR machine is eager to emphasize is impressed by the model’s well-known early twentieth century Lingotto manufacturing facility rooftop check monitor.

Both manner, a 10in digital driver show and 10.25in centre display match properly inside that loop to maintain issues firmly early twenty first century, whereas a passenger-side, top-opening field clad in bamboo yarn and brilliant yellow accents on rectangular air vents, mix to create pure and good visible attraction.

All of the seats are snug and well square-padded, whereas house within the rear is fairly good – even for tall folks – and there’s respectable space for storing as properly: Fiat claims a 361-litre boot under the rear hatch of the EV model, whereas the hybrid version has much more (412 litres).

Then there’s the EV’s world-first related charging cable. Coiled behind a flap built-in into the entrance pixel masks of the automobile, it springs into motion to plug right into a charging level however crucially stays connected to the automobile on the different finish. This avoids the consumer probably getting soiled by means of manhandling a free cable from the boot or certainly having to wrestle the cable again into generally not fairly sufficiently big storage areas below boot or ‘frunk’ flooring.

To drive, the 113hp EV model is easy and perky sufficient for its meant largely city area and corners fairly properly contemplating its high-ish stance. The trip is respectable, steering not too gentle and the view out clear – bar a large C-pillar rearward – however we’d be glad to reside with that small draw back in an effort to maintain the pleasingly chunky exterior form.

When it comes to vary, Fiat claims 199 miles for its launch-spec 44kWh battery, which isn’t big, however larger (and smaller) battery choices ought to observe to offer larger alternative. Speaking of which, Fiat, together with many different carmakers, at present realises not each buyer is prepared (or ready) to go full-electric so a 100hp hybrid model will even be out there.

With the Panda household set to increase by one mannequin a 12 months for the subsequent three – “an even bigger sister” is due subsequent in 2026 – with associated fashion and performance promised, Fiat would possibly quickly have a spread worthy of the identify.

Fiat Grande Panda, from £18,975 (hybrid), £20,975 (EV), Fiat.co.uk