New Fiat Panda family to include small bakkie?

Stellantis has announced plans to offer a family of new Fiat Panda models, revealing as many as 5 concept cars – including an interesting small bakkie…

Stellantis plans to create an entire family of new Fiat Panda models, marking its announcement with the reveal of a raft of “Panda-inspired” show cars. Perhaps the most interesting from a South African perspective is the inclusion of a small bakkie concept.

But before we take a closer look at the Panda pickup, let’s take a step back. Fiat, which was the best-selling Stellantis brand in 2023, says its new Panda family will comprise “global” models. The first – likely the next-generation version of the standard city car – is scheduled to be revealed in July 2024, followed by the launch of another Panda spin-off every year until 2027.

All body styles will be based on a Stellantis multi-energy platform, which Fiat says will allow the use of “all types of powertrain” (in this case, internal combustion, hybrid and fully electric).

“Fiat is a global brand with 1.3 million cars sold last year and solid leadership in many parts of the world. We are in a global game and our next step will be to transition from local products to a global offer that can benefit all of our customers everywhere in the world,” said Olivier Francois, Fiat CEO and Stellantis Global CMO.

“We are excited to share this glimpse into our future; a very near future, actually, since the first car will be presented in 4 months during the brand’s 125th anniversary celebration. That car will then be followed by one new model every year.”

So, back to the Panda bakkie concept. Referencing the Strada – again the best-selling vehicle in Brazil in 2023 – the Italian automaker says it’s “certain that this type of vehicle can replicate its success at a global level, even in Europe”. Still, we get the impression the production model will be more “lifestyle” than workhorse.

Indeed, Fiat claims its new pick-up concept “responds to the global rediscovery of free time as value for people”, saying the vehicle “blends the concept of a pick-up with the functionality of an LCV [light commercial vehicle] and the comfort of an SUV in a size that is suitable to urban environments all over the world”.

We’re guessing the production version will be far removed from the double-cab concept, which features a bluff front end, intricate lighting signatures, oversized alloy wheels, a high beltline and what appears to be a relatively compact loadbin.

While the current Strada half-tonne bakkie is not offered in South Africa (owing to the fact it’s built in left-hand-drive form only), Stellantis has pencilled in the next-generation version for Mzansi. Should the production version of the Panda pick-up also make it to local shores, Fiat could potentially offer a pair of bakkies in SA.

So, what about the other Panda concepts? Well, there’s a city car (though Fiat says it’s bigger than the current Panda), a fastback, an SUV and even a camper, all of which you can see in the gallery above. As a reminder, the Panda nameplate dates back to 1980, with the current (3rd) generation set to bow out when the new model debuts later this year.

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