Latest news with #GrandePanda
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Scotsman
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid review: Get ready to see plenty of these on the streets
Fiat's new Grande Panda is part of an aggressive new direction for the marque - with lots of new models to follow | Fiat This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Motoring writer Gareth Butterfield flew to Italy to be among the firs journalists to drive the hybrid version of Fiat's new Grande Panda Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Listening to Fiat bosses waxing lyrical about their new Grande Panda, at a rainsoaked launch in Turin, there's more than an air of optimism about its future. And judging by the warm reception of the electric version, which launched in January, they might be right to be a bit bullish. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Importantly, though, this is the car that's predicted to be the biggest seller, especially here in the UK. It's pitched at around £18,000, it has a 110 HP with a 48-volt Li-ion battery, and it's styled to be retro and fun, without being chintzy and weird. Cards on the table, I really like it. I've always been a fan of Pandas, and I own a third-generation Panda. It's one of my favourite things, in fact. The edgy styling strikes a fine balance between retro and modern | Fiat But the new Grande Panda is much bigger, much more complicated, and quite a lot more expensive than its predecessors, so has it lost its rugged simplicity? Yes and no. Firstly, there are three trim levels coming to the UK, the base-model Pop, followed by Icon, and then La Prima. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's a simple set of choices then, and there aren't too many options to get bogged down with, nor are there all that many colours to choose from, but they all look pretty good. The hybrid drivetrain feels much the same as it does in any Stellantis product, although there's a refreshing individuality about the interior design - as long as you look past that ubuquitous gear selector. The details on the dashboard and centre console are fun and frivolous, and there's even a nod back to the original panda on the edge of the driver and central display cowling, which is the same shape as the legendary test track on the roof of Turin's Lingotto factory. The interior is full of fun details - it's a nice place to sit | Fiat There's very little to dislike about the interior. It's bright, spacious, functional, and comfortable. I'm not sure I'm keen on going back to a physical key now we've got so used to push-button starts, but I guess some people will welcome it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As is the fashion nowadays, the interior materials are made of recycled plastics and fabrics, and most of it feels really durable, although the fabric cover on the "Bamboo Box" storage cubby on top of the dash on the La Prima version might scuff and mark pretty quickly. The squared off steering wheel feels good in the hands, if a tad chunky, but there are some physical buttons to save you relying on the large central touch screen, and plenty to play with on the steering wheel itself. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included, and you get heated seats in the top version, along with a few other standard goodies and plenty of safety systems. There's plenty of room inside for a small car, and standard trim is good, especially on the top La Prima version | Fiat On Italy's ruffled rural roads, it feels every bit as smooth as the Fiat bosses promise it will. You might think it's at its best in the urban sprawl, and it probably is, but it copes well with long motorway jaunts and, while it's by no means exciting on the twisty bits, it does cope fairly well with corners. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Its handling is tuned to feel safe, rather than deliver any thrills, and the soft ride makes for more body roll, but there's a reassuring stability to it, and it responds well to inputs. The hybrid system works as well as you'd hope it would in a small car. You've got probably up to half a mile of EV juice, enough for manoeuvring, parking and queuing, and then a reasonably punchy three-pot engine taking the majority of the strain. It all adds up to a tax-friendly and economical ownership experience - which is pretty much what all Panda buyers are after. Rear passengers have plenty of room, and I like the phone pockets at the top of the seats | Fiat In reality, the Panda, as "Grande" as it now is, makes a lot of sense as an EV. The electric one will doubtless be popular, and there is a full internal combustion version coming eventually which may, one hopes, come in at a very tempting price point. Because while £18,000 is obviously a lot of money the Grande Panda does more than enough to make itself stand out against similarly-priced rivals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Even in hybrid form it's lost some of its compact, lightweight, mischievous charm over the years, but it's still great to see the brand back. And now I've driven it, I can see why Fiat is so chipper. Unlike the weather in Turin, the Panda's future looks very bright. Selling your car? Here's the fastest way to get cash – and how it compares to rivals Thinking of selling your car this summer? It all starts with a valuation – and you can get one in under a minute with WeBuyAnyCar. With over 500 branches across the UK and same-day payment available, it's one of the quickest ways to find out what your vehicle is worth and get the cash if you're ready to sell. Used car prices have stayed surprisingly strong, especially for economical hatchbacks and SUVs. Whether you're upgrading for road trips or switching to a hybrid, a fast online quote can give you a solid starting point – even if you're still weighing up your options. To see how WeBuyAnyCar stacks up against other top car-selling platforms like Motorway, Carwow and Auto Trader, read our full article comparing the UK's most popular car sales sites here.
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Scotsman
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid review: Get ready to see plenty of these on the streets
Fiat's new Grande Panda is part of an aggressive new direction for the marque - with lots of new models to follow | Fiat This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Motoring writer Gareth Butterfield flew to Italy to be among the firs journalists to drive the hybrid version of Fiat's new Grande Panda Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Listening to Fiat bosses waxing lyrical about their new Grande Panda, at a rainsoaked launch in Turin, there's more than an air of optimism about its future. And judging by the warm reception of the electric version, which launched in January, they might be right to be a bit bullish. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Importantly, though, this is the car that's predicted to be the biggest seller, especially here in the UK. It's pitched at around £18,000, it has a 110 HP with a 48-volt Li-ion battery, and it's styled to be retro and fun, without being chintzy and weird. Cards on the table, I really like it. I've always been a fan of Pandas, and I own a third-generation Panda. It's one of my favourite things, in fact. The edgy styling strikes a fine balance between retro and modern | Fiat But the new Grande Panda is much bigger, much more complicated, and quite a lot more expensive than its predecessors, so has it lost its rugged simplicity? Yes and no. Firstly, there are three trim levels coming to the UK, the base-model Pop, followed by Icon, and then La Prima. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's a simple set of choices then, and there aren't too many options to get bogged down with, nor are there all that many colours to choose from, but they all look pretty good. The hybrid drivetrain feels much the same as it does in any Stellantis product, although there's a refreshing individuality about the interior design - as long as you look past that ubuquitous gear selector. The details on the dashboard and centre console are fun and frivolous, and there's even a nod back to the original panda on the edge of the driver and central display cowling, which is the same shape as the legendary test track on the roof of Turin's Lingotto factory. The interior is full of fun details - it's a nice place to sit | Fiat There's very little to dislike about the interior. It's bright, spacious, functional, and comfortable. I'm not sure I'm keen on going back to a physical key now we've got so used to push-button starts, but I guess some people will welcome it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As is the fashion nowadays, the interior materials are made of recycled plastics and fabrics, and most of it feels really durable, although the fabric cover on the "Bamboo Box" storage cubby on top of the dash on the La Prima version might scuff and mark pretty quickly. The squared off steering wheel feels good in the hands, if a tad chunky, but there are some physical buttons to save you relying on the large central touch screen, and plenty to play with on the steering wheel itself. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included, and you get heated seats in the top version, along with a few other standard goodies and plenty of safety systems. There's plenty of room inside for a small car, and standard trim is good, especially on the top La Prima version | Fiat On Italy's ruffled rural roads, it feels every bit as smooth as the Fiat bosses promise it will. You might think it's at its best in the urban sprawl, and it probably is, but it copes well with long motorway jaunts and, while it's by no means exciting on the twisty bits, it does cope fairly well with corners. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Its handling is tuned to feel safe, rather than deliver any thrills, and the soft ride makes for more body roll, but there's a reassuring stability to it, and it responds well to inputs. The hybrid system works as well as you'd hope it would in a small car. You've got probably up to half a mile of EV juice, enough for manoeuvring, parking and queuing, and then a reasonably punchy three-pot engine taking the majority of the strain. It all adds up to a tax-friendly and economical ownership experience - which is pretty much what all Panda buyers are after. Rear passengers have plenty of room, and I like the phone pockets at the top of the seats | Fiat In reality, the Panda, as "Grande" as it now is, makes a lot of sense as an EV. The electric one will doubtless be popular, and there is a full internal combustion version coming eventually which may, one hopes, come in at a very tempting price point. Because while £18,000 is obviously a lot of money the Grande Panda does more than enough to make itself stand out against similarly-priced rivals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Even in hybrid form it's lost some of its compact, lightweight, mischievous charm over the years, but it's still great to see the brand back. And now I've driven it, I can see why Fiat is so chipper. Unlike the weather in Turin, the Panda's future looks very bright. Selling your car? Here's the fastest way to get cash – and how it compares to rivals Thinking of selling your car this summer? It all starts with a valuation – and you can get one in under a minute with WeBuyAnyCar. With over 500 branches across the UK and same-day payment available, it's one of the quickest ways to find out what your vehicle is worth and get the cash if you're ready to sell. Used car prices have stayed surprisingly strong, especially for economical hatchbacks and SUVs. Whether you're upgrading for road trips or switching to a hybrid, a fast online quote can give you a solid starting point – even if you're still weighing up your options.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Fiat Panda 4x4 is back: Could it be another Italian legend?
More than 40 years after the Panda 4x4 launched and quickly became an Italian legend, it looks likely the intrepid little off-roader will be making a return to our roads. Fiat has unveiled its new Grande Panda 4x4 concept that's a 'direct heir of the Panda 4x4 of the '80s', although the Italian car maker is being rather coy about the finer details. Hailed by Fiat as 'the next chapter in the legacy of the Italian brand' the Grande Panda 4x4 has an exterior design that references both the Panda 4x4 of old and the new Grande Panda which marks a return to Fiat's retro roots. If the Panda 4x4 does go into production it will be the first Stellantis (the owner of Fiat) four-wheel drive model to be based on its 'Smart Car' platform that the Citroen C3 and Vauxhall Frontera already use. There's no timeline as to when the Panda 4x4 would go into production or how much it will cost, but head of Fiat for Europe, Gaetano Thorel, told press at the unveiling: 'We knew everyone would love it, we have to do it.' The 2025 Grande Panda starts at £18,025 for the hybrid – which combines a 1.2-litre turbo petrol and a 21kW e-motor - and £21,000 for the EV, so it's likely the 4x4 would start from somewhere around there. If it does actually arrive that is... The original Panda 4x4 was designed for Italians that lived in the most rural and least accessible parts of Italy or frequently journeyed there. Keeping this in mind, Fiat says the new Panda will be 'a symbol of versatility, reliability and freedom on four wheels' and will come with an electrified innovative rear axle that will 'enable the vehicle to deliver impressive performance in urban settings and on more demanding terrain'. The rear axle is the only electric confirmation we've had so far, but Fiat boss Thorel seemed to reject the idea of it being fully electric, telling Auto Express: 'To me, the 4x4 is meant to be at 2000 metres above sea level, in winter. As far as I remember, batteries in winter are not really too comfortable...' The original car could scramble up a hillside and provided extraordinary performance on the toughest terrains, and it did so at an affordable price which is why over three generations Fiat sold around 800,000 Panda 4x4s. It also looked brilliant, and perfected the small on the outside but cleverly spacious on the inside trick. The original Panda 4x4 was designed for Italians that lived in the most rural and least accessible parts of Italy or frequently journeyed there. It could cross deserts, mountains and rivers Fiat's Panda is back for a fourth generation in 2025 and is available as a hybrid or EV. Prices will start from under £19k Building on the 'box on wheels' updated looks of the Grande Panda, the 4x4 concept is beefed up for tricky terrain with a jacked-up ride height, and some seriously cool fitted steel wheels, as well as beige details and bolted on roof rack lamps. The interior has a brown look to give it a vintage feel as well as an outdoor element to the cabin. The Dark red concept paint with black bumpers makes it stand out from the crowd. The original Fiat Panda and the 4x4 Over three generations the Panda became an institution of Italy. Over 280,000 were sold in the UK alone and almost every village and town in Italy had Panda 4x4s dotted around its streets. Italy's version of the Renault 4 or Citroen 2CV, it could haul around five passengers and luggage while being fuel efficient and cheap to buy. It's always been a cheerful car which is both conventional and ingenious, but the 4x4 built on that and made this much-loved car ready for any adventure. Beaten by the Dacia Duster to the prize of the cheapest 4x4 in the UK in 2012, the third generation was sold until 2023 which saw a limited edition 4x40 model come in to celebrate four decades of the small SUV's history.
TimesLIVE
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Everything you need to know about the new Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid
Fiat's new Grande Punto has been launched as a hybrid. The funky new model that made its international Debut in June 2024 is available in multiple powertrains, including full electric derivatives launched earlier in the year. The company also revealed a new Grande Panda 4x4 concept model during the hybrid media drive, with exclusive details of dark red livery and an all-terrain drivetrain. The newly debuted hybrid drivetrain is a front-wheel drive with a new 83kW turbocharged three-cylinder 1.2 l engine paired with a 21kW electric motor and a 48V lithium-ion battery. An eDCT six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, regenerative braking and driving modes of e-launch, e-creeping and e-parking are available. The company doesn't share fuel consumption averages at this stage. Designed in Italy at the Centro Stile in Turin, the modern interpretation of the iconic Panda is a cool urban car that measures 3.99m in length. The car sits on the Stellantis 'Smart Car' platform, a flexible, multi-energy architecture designed to offer a wide range of cost-effective electric vehicles to compete with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. It has enough room to carry five passengers and a 412 l boot. Smart storage solutions totalling 16 l to store loose items is integrated in the cabin. The exterior cues of a wedge-like profile are enhanced by retro PXL LED headlamps, cube-like taillights and blacked-out pillars. Details such as 3D-branded 'Panda' lettering on the doors and 'Fiat' on the rear, a lenticular C-pillar graphic, and glossy black bezel are further stylistic touches. Bright exterior colours finish the fun driving vibe, while a choice of trims — Pop, Icon and La Prima — offer customer personalisation. The Blu Tasmania colour scheme with bright yellow accents on the dashboard, infotainment area and as seat stitching energises the cabin. Amenities include air-conditioning, digital clusters, electric parking brake, smartphone station, navigation, front parking sensors, rearview camera and wireless charging, depending on the model. Three customisable upgrade packs including Tech, Style and Winter are also available. They introduce further items such as automatic climate control, 16-inch alloy wheels, roof bars, privacy glass, skid plates, heated seats, steering wheel and windshield. The range-topping La Prima trim combines all packages, along with 17-inch alloy wheels, premium interior finishes, including BAMBOX Bamboo Fiber Tex that contains 33% of the natural fibres for the dashboard. Recycled beverage cartons are repurposed as blue plastic with a shimmering aluminium finish as touch point finishers. Safety is taken care of by a comprehensive ADAS suite including cruise control, speed limiter, active safety brake, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning and open-door alerts. The La Prima trim boasts front sensors and a rearview camera. Connectivity is supported with wireless smartphone mirroring, multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. The initial Fiat Panda model debuted in 1980, and SA welcomed the second-generation car in 2003. Stellantis SA confirms it has no plans to introduce the new Grande Panda models to this market, but the hybrid pricing starts at €19,000 (R386,000) for European customers.
TimesLIVE
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
New Fiat Grande Panda 4x4 concept is the Jimny alternative we've been waiting for
Though technical details are scant, Fiat said the Grande Panda 4x4 will feature an 'an electrified innovative rear axle' that will deliver 'impressive performance in urban settings and on more demanding terrain'. No word on what will drive the front axle but in the regular Grande Panda Hybrid propulsion is provided by an 82kW 1.2 l three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired to a 21kW electric motor. So to recap: a small, nostalgia-rich supermini with robust looks and mild off-roading performance? Come on, Fiat, give the Grande Panda 4x4 concept the green light already!
