Fiat Grande Panda, the debut. Dimensions, engines and features of the electric or hybrid suv
The Italian company of the Stellantis group unveils the details of the fourth generation, which becomes an urban-size suv and makes a leap in category. Built in Kragujevac, Serbia, and based on SmarCar architecture, it is related to the Citroen C3: under the bonnet, electric motors and even electrified thermal engines
3' min read
3' min read
Fiat celebrates 125 years of history by reinventing one of its greatest successes, an icon from the 1980s to today, in three generations. The Grande Panda arrives, and it must be said right away that the new model changes location and form factor, evolving from a citycar and five-door hatchback super-compact in segment A, to an urban-sized SUV belonging to segment B, going from 3.65 metres to four. In short, in line with current trends that see the 'suvvialisation' of the market and the move upwards and, above all, to high wheels. Grande Panda comes 44 years after the launch of the first series born in 1980 from the pencil of Giorgetto Giugiaro, whose third generation remains in production in Pomigliano, renamed Pandina and updated in turn to comply with safety regulations.
The Grande Panda is thus the first of three models marking a substantial renewal for the Turin-based brand, which in recent years has only seen 'new additions' to the FIAT 500 family.
The Grande Panda, despite being very similar to the latest generation Citroen C3, has a number of cards in the deck that could determine its commercial success. In fact, despite the fact that the Grande Panda shares a very long list of components with the French city car (starting with the SmartCar platform, which in practice only changes its name, becoming the multienergy STLA Smart Platform), what stands out is the stylish design, which identifies it and does not make it a photocopy of the C3. To tell the truth, it is the C3, even though it was born earlier, that is 'derived' from the Grand panda. the latter displays the squared-off features of the first series in a stylistic reference. whereas the C3 in the new generation changes radically: from iconically round shapes to taut lines. It should be remembered that the Opel frontera is still a child of the same piafforma and that Fiat also has the new Multipla in store, which corresponds to the C3 Aircross.
This is despite the fact that the volumes are similar, with many of the same sheet metal. But the Grande Panda has its own distinct personality inspired by the iconic 1980s model. This is thanks to solutions such as the full-width bonnet and the name on the doors (a tribute to the 4x4). A touch of personality is also provided by the light signature, decidedly different from its French cousin. In this case, the daytime running lights (Daytime Running Lights) also become direction indicators and illuminate some of the cubes that appear as horizontal pixels arranged in a chequered pattern. It is once on board that the kinship with the C3 becomes a little more obvious, such as the arrangement of the air vents. Nevertheless, at the Turin Style Centre they have worked out a way to present the right mix of style, functionality and technology. The dashboard provides 13 litres of usable space. There are also two 10-inch screens for the instrumentation and a 10.25-inch display dedicated to the infotainment system that is wirelessly compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. And for those in need of cargo space, there is the capacity of up to 360 litres, compared to 310 in the C3.
The technical data reads, for the electric version a 113 hp (83 kW) motor, 44 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, which recharges in alternating current up to 11 kW and in direct current up to 100 kW, which takes 26 minutes to go from 20% to 80% charge. New is the Spiral Cable charging cable integrated in the front, in combination with the rear socket.
