Fiat Grande Panda is stylish and affordable
This latest iteration of the model has been given a strong personality featuring a boxy, robust shape and bold stance inspired by the 1980s' version.
Fiat Ireland unveiled its new Grande Panda to the Irish media at a special press launch event held last week at the offices of the Olympic Federation of Ireland in Abbotstown, Dublin, the home of Team Ireland for whom Fiat is the official vehicle partner.
The Grande Panda, Fiat’s bold reimagining of one of motoring’s beloved nameplates, which stretches back 45 years over three generations, has sold over eight million units during that time. The model has now grown in size to be a B-segment car.
The car’s target audience is first-time buyers, newly qualified drivers, empty nesters seeking to downsize and as a first, or second, family car. Fiat Ireland expects to sell around 250 units (based on supply) for the rest of this year, moving to 500 to 600 units in a whole calendar year.
This latest iteration of the model has been given a strong personality featuring a boxy, robust shape and bold stance inspired by the 1980s version and including the PXL (LED)s from the pixel art of that time, giving the car both a nostalgic and futuristic look.
There’s a strong interior focus on sustainable materials with door panels and the centre runner in a material made from recycled milk or juice cartons (Tetra Pak). The character of the interior was also inspired by previous generations of the model, with colours of Tasmania blue and transparent yellow standing out, which I imagine will appeal to younger folk in particular, as will the bamboo fibre textiles used on the dashboard.
Features include a 10-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen radio standard on Icon and La Prima, with wireless mirroring with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. La Prima includes the embedded Navigation System.
The Stellantis-type automatic transmission selector is located on the flat of the central console, along with a wireless phone charger.
With all seats in use, you get 412 litres of luggage space in the hybrid version, 361 litres otherwise.
Three trims of Pop, Icon, and La Prima are offered. The entry-level Pop grade, only available in all-electric versions, features 16-inch steel wheels, wheel arch claddings, and dusk automatic lighting sensors, a smartphone station instead of a traditional radio, and rear parking sensors. The mid-grade Icon adds 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, privacy glass, Style fabric seat upholstery, a central touchscreen with wireless mirroring and DAB, and Cruise Control. La Prima adds special fabric seat upholstery, the bamboo dash, and a central armrest, as well as front parking sensors, a rear-view camera, and a wireless charger.
Powertrains include full electric and mild hybrid variants. The mild hybrid (MHEV) version is powered by a new-generation T-Gen3, 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo hybrid that delivers up to 110hp of combined power and is paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and has peak torque of 205Nm.
All-electric (BEV) versions with a 44 kWh battery have an electric range of 320km and can DC charge in 30 minutes. A world-first feature is the integrated retractable 4.5m front charging cable behind the FIAT logo, which works up to 7kW AC only. If you upgrade to 11kW AC, you lose the retractable cable and must use the rear charging port instead. Both Icon and La Prima electric models include the 7kW on-board Front Spiral Cable.
We drove the top-specced car through suburban areas on our way to Abbotstown, and were thankful in heavy traffic that we were driving an automatic car. The cabin was well designed and comfy, and brought a smile to our faces. It’s a happy space to travel in.
Fiat plans four new models within the next year. In Q4, Fiat expects a manual ICE version of the Panda to be added to the line-up, while a long-range BEV version with up to 400km range is expected to go on sale here very early in 2027. Next year will see a larger C-segment SUV-style model and a crossover/fastback hatch.
The Grande Panda will be the official vehicle for Team Ireland as part of their four-year partnership with Fiat Ireland, and will be used to support Irish athletes’ performances by providing transport to make training, competitions and their day-to-day commitments more manageable and stress-free. A dedicated fleet of Fiat vehicles will be made available to athletes and sporting national governing bodies. Brand ambassadors Kate O’Connor and Thomas Barr will be driving new Grande Pandas, while Olympic champion swimmer Daniel Wiffen has been driving the model as he competes in the Irish Open.
At the launch, John Saunders, Managing Director of Fiat Ireland, said: “This is a car that perfectly captures what Irish drivers are looking for right now. A stylish, versatile and affordable option with a choice of powertrains that doesn’t compromise on technology or sustainability.”
The Grande Panda is now available to test drive at Fiat’s 14 dealerships nationwide.
PRICES: Pop (BEV only) is from €23,995; Icon from €23,995 and La Prima from €26,995.
