Marko Hanželic
Although it was Fiat in 2023 best selling brand in the Stellantis concern, its glory days in Europe are long gone. However, the Italian brand wants to return to true form with an extended family of new models. Unveiled today (but not at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show), these five concepts predict the Panda model family.
Attached above is the official video featuring Fiat's CEO Olivier Francois, which represents what we can expect soon in terms of products and design language. At the helm will be the long-awaited replacement for the aging Panda. The new generation of the compact hatchback was initially announced by the 2019 model centoventi, but now with a new concept called simply "City Car", brings it closer to reality.
A new model they call it "Mega Panda", will be launched in series form in July when Fiat celebrates its 125th anniversary. The boxy B-segment model will be larger than the outgoing car and is billed as a global model with internal combustion engines and all-electric powertrains. The new generation of Panda will basically Fiat's equivalent of the Citroën C3. Meanwhile, the concept is a fun adaptation of the Panda 4×4 from the XNUMXs, suggesting that the later production version will have higher ground clearance, robust proportions and a rugged look.
So called "Giga Panda" is the larger crossover that Fiat plans to use to compete with the new one Dacia Duster, provided they actually start making it. This too includes boxy design features with illuminated rectangles, square wheel arches and a flat roofline. You can imagine that the road version won't look that unusual, but it shows that Fiat intends to be bolder with its future models.
It seems to be Fastback a coupe version of the Giga Panda with a steeply sloping roofline. To the detriment of practicality, it added style (though that's subjective) as it had a sleek rear end that allowed for a high ride and rakish shape. Fiat hints that the concept is a window into the future of the intended model Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and also to Europe.
Everyone's favorite is the camper. This one rides on tall off-road tires and looks more like a jacked-up minivan, sort of Fiat's version of Mitsubishi's Delica model. This “ultimate vehicle for everyone” is also a tribute to the Panda 4×4 from the XNUMXs, and hopefully one day they will go into production.
Fiat semi-trucks are popular in some parts of the world, such as Latin America. Relevant products include models Street in Fullback, Titan but it will be available later in 2024. It should come as no surprise that it is the fifth and final new concept double cab pickup, which Fiat believes can be commercially successful in Europe as well.
After the official presentation new Pandas July Fiat plans to introduce a new model every year between 2025 and 2027. The renewed product range will follow the successful year 2023, when the brand sold 1,35 million vehicles.
