Fiat is popping its Panda metropolis automobiles into an entire household of ‘multi-energy’ autos

Stellantis-owned Fiat revealed 5 new ideas that it says will function inspiration for a future household of autos that may are available a wide range of powertrains whereas sharing the identical platform.

The brand new lineup, impressed by the Italian automaker’s Panda metropolis automobiles, will kick off in July 2024 with a brand new metropolis automobile, adopted by a brand new automobile annually for the next three years. As well as, the ideas preview a pickup truck, a fastback sedan, an SUV, and a camper.

Fiat is hedging its bets, committing to producing not solely electrical variations of every automobile but additionally hybrid and inside combustion engine variations. The automaker says that is to “guarantee most relevance to clients wherever they stay on the planet.”

The announcement, timed for the Geneva Worldwide Motor Present this week, follows a number of months of slowing EV gross sales development in most markets, as automakers battle to supply reasonably priced fashions and a working charging infrastructure. Hybrids, in the meantime, have been promoting at a brisker tempo than pure battery-electric autos.

Fiat is a pacesetter in compact automobile gross sales, having bought 1.3 million autos in 2023, however has been struggling to keep up its presence in North America. The model solely moved 605 autos within the US final yr, down about 33 % from 2022. The Fiat 500e, the corporate’s new compact EV, is aimed on the North American market — but it surely’s unclear whether or not US automobile patrons are concerned with one thing so small.

The brand new Panda lineup is meant to place Fiat as a model with concepts that reach past tiny metropolis automobiles. The boxy ideas will undoubtedly undergo some adjustments earlier than they develop into actuality, so it’s unclear whether or not they’ll preserve their daring main colours and kooky designs. Fiat says the brand new autos are supposed to be each inspirational and utilitarian. Or, because the automaker places it, “Performance ought to by no means exist with out Enjoyable.”

“Look, we like having enjoyable,” Fiat CEO Olivier Francois mentioned in a captivating video introducing the ideas. “We don’t take ourselves too significantly.”

Fiat describes its metropolis automobile idea as a “Mega-Panda,” measuring barely bigger than the present era metropolis automobile. However quite than construct its new idea on that earlier mannequin, the automaker’s design crew seemed to structure for its inspiration, particularly the long-lasting Lingotto constructing in Turin, Italy, with its helix entry ramp and well-known rooftop take a look at monitor.

That interprets into numerous ovals, within the sprint and elsewhere across the automobile, constructing off that acquainted take a look at monitor form. The previous Fiat manufacturing facility constructing turned workplace area helped encourage a design language constructed round “structural lightness, area optimization and brightness.” Fiat says that features its alternative of supplies for the dashboard, show, and seats — which incorporates sustainable supplies like recycled plastics and bamboo materials.

The wheels are capped with diagonal straps, and the entrance grille is dotted with tiny pixels. And do my eyes deceive me, or is {that a} particular compartment only for skateboards within the driver-side door??

Francois says town automobile will probably be primarily based on the Stellantis “multi-energy platform,” that means it will likely be obtainable globally and appropriate with all types of gas (or lack thereof).

There are additionally some neat methods, like a “self-winding” charging cable that Fiat says will make plugging and unplugging the automobile simpler. A high-riding place is supposed to enhance visibility for anybody driving town automobile in an city atmosphere. However inside area is supposed to ask drivers to take highway journeys or weekend excursions as effectively.

The pickup is supposed to construct on Fiat’s Strada truck that could be a prime vendor in South America. The corporate thinks it will possibly develop past its regional attraction into one thing extra world — thus, the pickup Panda idea.

Fiat guarantees it can have the performance of a lightweight industrial automobile, with the consolation of an SUV — however in a dimension extra appropriate for city environments. A modular roof rack may be adjusted to suit bicycles or surfboards, and the pixelated entrance lights may be eliminated and reattached to the rack for off-roading adventures.

Substitute the rear mattress with a extra aero-focused rear finish, and also you’ve received the fastback idea. Impressed by the Fiat Fastback in Brazil and the Fiat Tipo within the Center East and Africa, the idea is aimed on the South American, Center Jap, and African markets in addition to Europe.

Francois says the “sporty contact” will assist broaden the attraction. Or it may be supersized to remodel it into an SUV, which the corporate calls its “Giga-Panda.” A step above the model’s small automobile roots, the SUV idea will probably be aimed toward households and people in want of more room. Beneath the hood — or floorboards, because it had been — the Panda SUV idea will are available pure battery-electric, hybrid, or gas-powered engine fashions.

And lastly, a camper idea is for when you’ll want to take the journey off the overwhelmed path. “This idea pays homage to the ‘Enjoyable-ctionality’ of the Panda from the 80s, recalling the flexibility of a automobile that was made for town with the options of a SUV and the soul of a trusty companion,” the corporate says.

It’s not clear which of those ideas will make it to the ultimate stage and which will probably be left on the slicing room flooring. Fiat is just committing to releasing 4 new autos over the following 4 years, regardless of unveiling a complete of 5 ideas at this time. Hopefully the key skateboard compartment survives to the tip.