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Fiat will bring its Grande Panda electric SUV to the United Kingdom in right-hand drive within weeks, potentially paving the way for the electric car to enter Australia and battle Chinese rivals.
The electric, retro SUV is the latest version of the Panda hatch, Italy’s most popular car. It will arrive in the UK’s spring time as the Grande Panda and with a price starting of £20,975 — equivalent to A$42,000.
Measuring 3990mm in length and with a distinctive blocky styling, pixel-like design elements and rugged features the Grande Panda is an electric acknowledgment to the quirky, but tough-looking, Panda hatch.
Oval features from the dashboard outline to the door trims are a tribute to the shape of Fiat’s roof-top Lingotto test track, while recycled plastic materials from drink containers are used in the interior construction, with bamboo incorporated in the crafting of the glove box facia.
Powering the electric Grande Panda is an 83kW motor with a 44kWh battery offering up to 320km of range and a maximum DC changing rate of 100kW.
A retractable charging cable also comes as standard with Fiat heralding it as the “first car on the market” to feature the integrated power lead.
A hybrid version of the Grande Panda will also arrive as part of the line-up with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine and a lower price than the fully electric variant.
The Grande Panda uses the same platform as the Citroen C3 which, like Fiat, is also part of the Stellantis auto giant.
Citroen pulled its operations out of Australia last year, but Fiat continues to keep a presence with a limited range that includes its little 500 hatch and the 500e electric variant, plus the sporty Abarth versions, along with the commercial Ducato van range.
Now being mass produced in right-hand drive for the UK could see the Grande Panda make it to Australia where the electric vehicle market is undergoing a surge.
Fiat has not confirmed the Grande Panda for Australia but it is tipped to be a global model.
The take up of small affordable electric and hybrid Chinese vehicles such as the BYD Atto 3, MG4, Zeekr X and Xpeng G6 is growing. More Chinese vehicles are on the way with the Leapmotor C10 being the latest to touch down in Australia.
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