The Grande Panda 4x4 Looks Like a Fiat That Americans Would Love
The new concept rides on a set of steel wheels wrapped in knobby tires and rocks a fabulous maroon paint complete with fender cladding and a roof rack for extra storage.
Fiat surely won't sell the new Grande Panda here in the United States—it hasn't even confirmed production—but we really think they should reconsider both positions.
We're spoiled for choice when it comes to small crossovers in the United States. But that doesn't mean we don't pine for more. So, when Fiat unveiled the spectacular new Grande Panda 4x4 concept, our hearts fluttered at the thought of driving such a car in the U.S.
Sure, it looks tougher and more capable than it probably is, but the adorable little Panda sports brawny styling with steel wheels and the obligatory fender cladding that advertises its 4x4 status. Fiat says the new Grande Panda concept is a "direct heir" to the original Panda 4x4 that launched in 1983. With an affordable price and a raised ride height, that model became an instant hit among off-roaders.
Fiat
The new concept is based on Fiat's current Grande Panda that comes in electric and hybrid formats. Fiat says the Grande Panda 4x4 concept is planned with an "electrified innovative rear axle"—whatever that means. As it's just a concept, Fiat remains mum on the finer details, so we're left to wonder about what powers the front axle as well.
The brand hasn't actually confirmed production plans, but Fiat's European boss, Gaetano Thorel, indicated to Autocar that it could someday hit the road. "Surely we will have this car on the road in the future–but not tomorrow," Thorel told Autocar.
Assuming Fiat does put the Grande Panda 4x4 into production, we think the Italian marque should consider bringing it to North America. The brand sold fewer than 1000 of its electric 500e in the U.S. last year, which suggests it isn't very desirable to Americans. But one thing Americans are obsessed with is a lifted crossover that looks like it could be taken off-road, and the new Grande Panda 4x4, albeit tiny, projects that image.
Jack Fitzgerald
Associate News Editor
Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Trump Just Hammered US Cars With Tariffs
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Toyota Motor Corp (NYSE:TM) just got a market-moving gift – and it came courtesy of U.S. trade policy. After the Donald Trump administration unveiled a new 15% tariff on imported vehicles, Toyota's stock surged 8%. Tariff Math That Favors The Competition Why? Because while Toyota gets away with a flat 15% hike, American automakers like Ford Motor Co (NYSE:F), General Motors Co (NYSE:GM), and Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) are staring down a tangled—and far more expensive—tariff mess. Ford and GM aren't just dealing with the vehicle import tariff, pointed out Spencer Hakimian on X. They're also absorbing 50% more for steel and copper, 25% tariffs on parts from Canadian and Mexican factories, and a 55% hit on components sourced from China. Tesla, with its global supply web, doesn't escape the squeeze either. Trending: Be part of the breakthrough that could replace plastic as we know it— An 'America First' Policy That Backfired? What was meant to be a policy to bring auto jobs back to U.S. soil may end up doing the opposite – by raising input costs for American carmakers while giving Toyota a relatively cleaner ride. Ironically, Toyota's more consolidated and diversified supply chain, with more U.S.-based manufacturing than some of its American rivals, positions it to weather the new rules better. Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You The Insurance Savings You Expect Great Rates and Award-Winning Service The optics are stark: a Japanese automaker rallying on a trade policy designed to promote American industry, while Detroit's giants get slapped with compounding Street Is Already Picking Sides The market's response was swift. Toyota popped. Ford and GM barely budged. Tesla continues to navigate a different narrative altogether, but even it can't dodge the rising cost of essential materials. For investors, the takeaway is clear: in the short term, tariff policy isn't just a political tool – it's a stock catalyst. And right now, Toyota's the one shifting into high gear. Read Next: $100k+ in investable assets? Match with a fiduciary advisor for free to learn how you can maximize your retirement and save on taxes – no cost, no obligation. If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it? Photo: Shutterstock This article Trump Just Hammered US Cars With Tariffs - Toyota Says Thanks originally appeared on Sign in to access your portfolio
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
How to watch INDYCAR at Laguna Seca: Monterey schedule, date, time, TV channels, streaming
The INDYCAR Series moves west to Monterey for the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, a long-standing highlight on the schedule and one of the most scenic and demanding road courses. Keep reading for key details, including race dates, start times, TV channels, and streaming options. The Java House Grand Prix of Monterey will start at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 27th, 2025. The Java House Grand Prix of Monterey will take place on the streets of Monterey, California. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a challenging 2.238-mile (3.602 km) road course with 11 turns, including the famous "Corkscrew," with its six-story drop in a mere 450 feet that was popularized by "The Pass." The race will consist of 95 laps over 213 miles. The 2025 INDYCAR Java House Grand Prix of Monterey will be broadcast live on FOX. The 2025 INDYCAR Java House Grand Prix of Monterey will be available to be streamed live on the and the FOX Sports App. For those without cable, there are live-streaming services that carry FOX, including YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV and fuboTV. If you have an antenna in a good reception area, you can also watch INDYCAR on your local FOX station. Check out the Federal Communications Commission TV reception maps to see which stations are available in your area.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Gentex (GNTX) Surges 16% on Impressive Income
We recently published . Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ:GNTX) is one of the best-performing stocks on Friday. Gentex Corp., an automotive technology company, surged by 16.19 percent on Friday to close at $27.42 apiece as investor sentiment was boosted by its impressive earnings performance in the second quarter of the year despite a cautious outlook for the remainder of 2025. In its earnings statement, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ:GNTX) said attributable net income grew by 11.6 percent to $96 million from $86 million in the same period last year, excluding the impact of its acquisition of VOXX International Corp. Meanwhile, net sales increased by 14.8 percent to $657.86 million from $572.92 million year-on-year. Looking ahead, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ:GNTX) said it expects global light vehicle production for the third quarter of the year to end relatively flat versus the same period last year, while light vehicle production in its primary markets is expected to dip by 1 percent year-on-year. For the fourth quarter, global light vehicle production is predicted to drop by 6 percent year-on-year across its primary markets, including China. Photo by SpaceX on Unsplash For the full year, production is targeted to decline by 3 percent year-on-year while production in North America alone is expected to fall by 4 percent. While we acknowledge the potential of GNTX as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the . Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
