Fiat has unveiled the all-new electric Panda as one of five radically styled concepts that hint at a range of new affordable cars due to go on sale worldwide by the end of the decade.
Fiat's new concepts were unveiled on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show, from which the Italian brand will be absent, along with each of its Stellantis siblings.
The first of Fiat's new era models - all described as "children of the Panda" - will be unveiled in July as part of the brand's 125th anniversary celebrations, followed by a new car every year until 2027.
They will share a common architecture that can accommodate internal combustion, hybrid and all-electric powertrains. This platform is expected to be the low-cost Smart Car platform used by Stellantis' sibling brand Citroën's latest C3, originally designed for the Indian and Latin American markets but adapted for European sales.
The Panda has been previewed by a retro-futuristic concept called the City Car, which takes obvious inspiration from the 1980s Panda 4x4. The new Panda is expected to be an ultra-compact crossover, like the Citroën to which it is related, with a higher ride height and a greater focus on cabin space than its predecessor.
Fiat is not going so far as to reveal the technical specifications of the new Panda, but like the C3, it will be offered with a choice of petrol and electric powertrains as Fiat seeks to ensure its products remain accessible to as wide a demographic as possible and to meet different needs in different markets.
Citroën has yet to detail the C3's internal combustion offering, but the EV produces 111 hp and is available with two batteries giving a range of either 200 or 320 kilometres.
Crucially, the electric C3 is expected to be one of the cheapest full-size electric cars on sale, with a starting price of less than €20,000, and the electric Panda is expected to roughly match that.
The Pick-Up concept hints at a striking new truck model to replace the Strada - Brazil's best-selling vehicle.
There is also the Fastback concept, a rakish compact crossover "with a sporty flair" that aims to prove "Fiat can improve its sustainable commitment without sacrificing performance". The brand notes that it would be a successor to the Fastback and Tipo model lines, but unlike those cars, it could come to Europe.
The more upright SUV concept is presented as a "Giga-Panda", which would no doubt compete with the likes of the Dacia Duster if it goes into production.
Rounding off the range of concepts is the Camper - "the ultimate do-it-all vehicle". It combines elements of a 4x4 off-roader, an MPV and a van.
Source: Fiat
