Stretched and Flattened
Fiat has a handful of new models ready. This includes a sister model for the Fiat Grande Panda. This new Fiat even has something in common with the BMW X6s of this world.
About two years ago, Fiat introduced three new concept models. It announced that it would introduce a new model every year until 2027. We already know one of them: the Fiat Grande Panda. Fiat will also come with a giga-Panda that may be called Fiat Multipla. The third newcomer will be a crossover or SUV-like vehicle with a steeply sloping roofline. Indeed: Fiat is also coming with what is, rightly or wrongly, also called an ‘SUV-Coupé’. We can now show you this new Fiat for the first time.
In various South American countries, Fiat already sells this SUV-like vehicle which is simply called Fiat Fastback.
We don’t know yet what the newcomer will be called. In South America, Fiat offers a model with a similar silhouette that is simply called ‘Fastback’. For now, for convenience, we describe the new Fiat, based on the Grande Panda, as ‘Fiat Panda Fastback’. Unlike the Fiat Fastback that has existed for years, this Fiat Panda Fastback will come to Europe. It’s not just a Grande Panda with a more steeply sloping roofline. The entire model is considerably longer, and the wheelbase is also expected to be much larger.
The sister model of the Fiat Grande Panda from Citroën (the C3) already has a longer alternative in the form of the Citroën Basalt with a similar roofline as the new Fiat in the photos. That Basalt is 4.3 meters long and has 2.67 meters between the front and rear axles. The C3 Aircross and Opel Frontera also have that distance between the front and rear axles. These measurements are certainly indicative for the Fiat Panda Fastback. It would make the car 30 centimeters longer than the Grande Panda. The wheelbase would be 13 centimeters larger. This primarily means more interior space.
This Citroën Basalt is the ‘coupé-cousin’ of the C3 Aircross.
It appears that the front doors are interchangeable with those of the Grande Panda, although much of the bodywork is otherwise unique. Just look at the rear doors, the rear side windows, and the design of the front and rear. Especially the lighting at the rear seems nothing like what you currently see at Fiat. We suspect that more pixel-like LED elements are hidden behind the sticker work on the tailgate.
It is obvious that the Fiat Panda Fastback stands on the same Smart Car Platform as the Grande Panda, Citroën C3, Citroën C3 Aircross, and Opel Frontera. This means that you can expect, among other things, mild-hybrid and fully electric variants.