Fiat Panda EV: Fiat's goofy family car reborn as stylish modular EV platform with a hatch, pickup, fastback versions
We've known for a while now that Fiat plans to rework the iconic Panda in an electric guise, and, while previous rumours indicated that we could expect something similar to the Concept Centoventi we saw late last year, it appears that Fiat has other plans.
This week, Fiat unveiled its next-generation Panda lineup, which sees the compact hatchback reborn as four different versions. The various vehicles are creatively named the City Car, Pick-Up, Fastback, and SUV — those names will almost certainly change before launch.
Despite very different purposes and looks, the four vehicles share some similarities. Specifically, the Pick-Up, SUV, and Fastback are almost identical with the exception of the rear half, which is sloped in the Fastback, squared-off in the SUV, and an open pick-up bed in the Pick-Up.
In terms of Fiat Panda DNA, the City Car is the most representative of the classic nameplate, but it's more compact crossover than compact hatchback. It has the same upright stance as the modern Fiat Panda, but has much burlier wheel arches and body lines that make it look a lot like the Fisker PEAR.
The Panda concept features a lot of modular design elements, with removable headlights, a stylish roof rack, and a neat stretchy luggage cover for the roof rack. Whether any of this will make it to production remains to be seen, although it seems unlikely.
Meanwhile, Fiat comically calls the SUV concept a "Giga-Panda." The design language across the various concept cars is very similar, and Fiat claims that the Stellantis platform that the production models will be built on can accommodate a variety of drivetrains, from fully-electric to hybrid, and even petrol or diesel where EVs have yet to catch on.
Check out Fiat's new Panda Concept introduction video below.
Buy a Peak Design Wireless Charging Mobile Phone Car Mount on Amazon or read about Fiat's most iconic model in Fiat 500: The History of a Legend from 1936 to the Present by Massimo Condolo, available on Amazon.
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