Behind the wheel of the Fiat Grande Panda, an ingenious, practical and economical model

The new Fiat Grande Panda is based on Stellantis’s small platform, “Smart Car Platform”, sharing many components with Citroën C3 and Opel Frontera. Designed at the Centro Stile in Turin, the Fiat Grande Panda stands out for its size and use of space: 3.99 metres long, 1.57 metres high and 1.76 metres wide (without mirrors). It is the first FIAT built on a Stellantis platform.

Thanks to its generous proportions, it has room for five occupants inside and offers one of the best shoulder heights in its segment. Inside there is ample storage space: a glovebox of 13 litres, of which 3 litres are found in a single small storage compartment, and a boot with a maximum capacity of 361 litres in the electric version.

Its Italian design stands out for its distinctive surfaces, smooth lines, sturdy wheel arches and silver front and rear protectors. The design was conceived to be simple yet functional and surprising.

Practical interior

The exterior is enriched with design elements that go back to FIAT’s origins: the “PANDA” name stamped on the doors and the letters “FIAT” at the rear. There is also the hologram on the C-pillar that displays the FIAT logo or the four stripes of the brand emblem.

It also features PXL LED lamps, reminiscent of 1980s video games, 17-inch alloy wheels with diamond-cut finish and seven original body colours: Lemon yellow, Lunar Bronze, Acqua green, Lago blue, Passion red, Cinema black and Gelato white, plus the specific red of the RED version.

Each Grande Panda contains the recycled material from 140 drinks cartons, made up of 80% cardboard and 20% non-recyclable plastics and aluminium, which are normally discarded during recycling. For each Grande Panda, Fiat recovers precisely that 20% to create the blue plastic interior parts of the vehicle called Lapolen Ecotek. For the Grande Panda La Prima version, Fiat uses a specific textile containing real bamboo fibres “BAMBOX Bamboo Fiber Tex”, for wrapping the dashboard of the Grande Panda.

The infotainment-focused part is eye-catching, with the dashboard, ventilation grilles and seat stitching adorned with yellow details. The 25 cm instrument cluster and 26 cm central digital screen also stand out, with a design that recalls the shape of the test track at the Lingotto factory.

Electric and hybrid

For now it is available in a fully electric version or in a hybrid variant with a 1.2 turbo engine. The electric Grande Panda has a 44 kWh battery and an 83 kW electric motor (113 CV) and promises 320 km of range on the WLTP combined cycle, with interesting performance: a top speed of 132 km/h and 0 to 50 km/h acceleration in 4.2 seconds (0-100 km/h in 11 seconds).

Another of the model’s innovations, and one of the most interesting, is that it is equipped with a retractable helical alternating current cable (up to 7 kW) integrated into the front grille (in addition to the rear charging port), capable of charging from 20% to 80% in 4 hours and 20 minutes. As an alternative to the retractable cable configuration, depending on customer preferences or specific market requirements, an 11 kW charging port at the rear only can be chosen. In any case, a standard DC fast charging port is included at the rear, offering a charging power of 100 kW, which would allow charging from 20 to 80% in 27 minutes.

The hybrid variant is equipped with a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine producing 100 CV (74 kW), a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and a 6-speed electric-actuated double-clutch gearbox (eDCT), which includes a 21 kW electric motor, the inverter and the central transmission unit.

The electric energy increases responsiveness at low revs and during acceleration, and allows energy recovery during deceleration phases. Thanks to the ability to start in 100% electric mode, it provides a smooth and silent start without petrol consumption. The electric motor improves efficiency and vehicle dynamics, as it helps increase torque in demanding situations, and allows the internal combustion engine to switch off in certain conditions.

It can provide up to 1 km of electric range at speeds below 30 km/h, such as during parking manoeuvres, on flat roads in steady conditions, or on motorways with downhill sections when lifting off the accelerator.

Two electric options

The new Grande Panda in its electric version comes in two configurations: the Grande Panda La Prima, the top of the range, and the Grande Panda RED, a more affordable version and an even more socially meaningful one that supports a cause. The latter features distinctive design elements, such as 16-inch white steel wheels and the “RED” logo on the B-pillar. The brand offers two options and the customer only has to choose the colour. In its electric version the Grande Panda has a starting price of 25,400 euros.

The hybrid variant is offered in the POP, ICON and LA PRIMA trims. The POP trim, the entry version, includes ADAS driver aids, manual air conditioning, a 25 cm/10″ instrument cluster, automatic eDCT gearbox, electric parking brake (EPB) and connected services.

The Icon trim includes an infotainment system with a 26 cm/10.25″ screen, headlights and rear lights with LED technology, which can be complemented with the Tech Pack: automatic climate control, front parking sensors, rear-view camera and wireless charger. The Style Pack includes 16-inch alloy wheels, bumpers with sump guards and tinted windows. It also has a 60/40 split rear seat. The top-of-the-range Grande Panda La Prima stands out for its 17-inch alloy wheels, specific upholstery and BAMBOX glovebox.

In terms of safety systems and driving aids, it can include parking assistance with rear sensors (and as standard the front sensor and rear-view camera on La Prima), cruise control, speed limiter, active emergency brake and lane-keeping assist, plus speed limit information and driver attention warning.

Smoothness and driving pleasure

During the test drive around Turin we only had the opportunity to drive the 113 CV electric version in La Prima trim. Its getaway is particularly pleasant, and movement always starts smoothly and progressively, with no noise or vibration.

Its top speed is limited to 132 km/h, but given the model’s philosophy, designed to meet needs in urban or suburban settings, it seems a reasonable figure. It is particularly agile for lane changes, motorway merging and even overtaking, as its high torque figure adequately supports acceleration.

The set-up is very similar to what we experienced with the Citroën ëC3, with which it shares most of its mechanical components: comfortable and effective suspension, efficient brakes that are easy to modulate, smooth steering, somewhat slow, and reasonable consumption figures for a model without sporting pretensions which, in interurban use, will achieve more than 250 real kilometres.

Range and prices

The most affordable versions correspond to the 100 CV hybrid engine, starting with the Grande Panda Pop 1.2 MHEV variant and double-clutch gearbox at 18,900 euros. For the Icon trim, the bill rises to 20,400 euros, while the best-equipped La Prima is priced at 22,900 euros.

If we opt for the electric powertrain there are only two choices: the Grande Panda RED Electric with 113 CV and a 44 kWh battery at 25,400 euros, or the Grande Panda La Prima at 28,400.

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