New Version of Fiat Grande Panda with Internal Combustion Engine
The Fiat Grande Panda, which was introduced last year as a subcompact hatchback with electric and mild-hybrid powertrains, has now received a version exclusively with an internal combustion engine and a manual transmission. This decision by Stellantis is aimed at buyers who are not yet ready to switch to electric vehicles.
Engine Technical Specifications
The first non-electrified Grande Panda is equipped with a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, already used in many Stellantis products, including the related Citroen C3. This engine generates 99 hp (74 kW) and 205 Nm of torque and is equipped with Start&Stop technology. With these figures, it is the least powerful option in the Grande Panda lineup, falling short of the 109 hp mild-hybrid and the 111 hp electric vehicle.
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Transmission and Drivetrain
The petrol engine is exclusively paired with an “enhanced” six-speed manual gearbox, while the mild-hybrid variant receives a dual-clutch robotic gearbox. As with the rest of the model range, power is sent to the front wheels. Fiat has confirmed that an all-wheel-drive version is in development, but it will likely feature an electrified rear axle (mild-hybrid or electric).
Exterior and Interior
Visually, the petrol version of the Grande Panda looks identical to its electrified counterparts, except for the absence of hybrid or electric badges. The exhaust pipe is hidden under the rear bumper, as in the Grande Panda Hybrid. However, the interior differs, as the island-like center console houses the manual gear lever, which is obviously absent in the other two variants.
Trims and Equipment
Regardless of the powertrain type, the Grande Panda is available in three trims: base Pop, mid-range Icon, and flagship La Prima.
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The base model comes with black 16-inch steel wheels and lacks a multimedia system display, combining a standard 10-inch digital instrument cluster with a smartphone dock. The Icon trim adds fully LED headlights and taillights, more modern bumpers, six speakers, and a 10.25-inch multimedia system touchscreen.
The flagship La Prima gets 17-inch wheels, automatic climate control, a Bambox dashboard, and a rearview camera among other standard equipment. The color palette includes seven shades: Gelato White, Cinema Black, Passione Red, Acqua Azure, Limone Yellow, Lago Blue, and Luna Bronze.
Pricing Policy and Availability
Fiat has not yet announced prices for the Grande Panda Petrol. The new version is expected to be cheaper than the hybrid, which currently starts from €16,950 in Italy (promotional price). For comparison, the Citroen C3 with a petrol engine starts from €15,900, and with a mild-hybrid from €20,950.
The appearance of a petrol version with a manual transmission demonstrates that manufacturers continue to respond to the demand from different categories of buyers. Despite the general trend towards electric vehicles, a significant part of the market still prefers traditional powertrains, especially in the budget segment. This decision allows Fiat to reach a wider audience and offer a more affordable version of its popular model, which could positively impact sales volumes in European countries where manual transmissions are still popular among city dwellers.