PANDA

 

FIAT Panda – Remains in production until 2027

FIAT has confirmed that the current Panda will remain on sale, in addition to the announced electric version, for another three years and will be called the Pandina

While we patiently await the debut of the next, electric generation Panda in July 2024, FIAT has unveiled the Pandina – a new version of the existing model upgraded with an ADAS package and digital instrument panel.

This was done for one reason only, and that is that buyers like the existing model. Despite being based on a 13-year-old design, the Panda remains the best-seller in the city car segment in both Italy and Europe. It has surpassed the eight million unit mark since the original's debut in 1980. The latest evolution of the third generation Panda, which is practically unchanged since its debut in 2011, is focused on adding technical and safety features.

Interestingly, a recent increase in customer demand has prompted the Italian manufacturer to increase Panda production by approximately 20 percent. At the launch it was called the "safest Panda ever", but in reality it got a basic ADAS package to meet European Union safety regulations.

Standard equipment includes advanced emergency braking, lane keep assist, drowsy driver detection and traffic sign recognition. They are joined by automatic high beams, rear parking sensors and a total of six airbags.

The Pandina's interior has been upgraded with a new 7-inch digital instrument cluster that has three different graphic modes and shows the new ADAS in action. This is combined with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, a white dashboard panel and a slightly redesigned steering wheel.

The seats have leather upholstery with the Pandina logo on the seatbacks and yellow double stitching. The exterior adopts the adventurous look of the FIAT Panda City Cross, with a few unique touches. The mirror covers are painted in yellow, and the wheel covers feature a cute Panda face.

The name Pandina, which is a nickname derived from the diminutive form of Panda, can be found on the rear windows and side moldings. In addition to the existing color palette, the special edition is also available in Positano Yellow which can be combined with a black roof. The Pandina will continue to be powered by a three-cylinder, one-liter engine boosted by a mild hybrid of 70 horses that are transmitted to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

The exterior adopts the adventurous looks of the Fiat Panda City Cross, with a few unique touches. The mirror caps are painted yellow and a cute Panda face is present on the wheel caps. The Pandina moniker which is a nickname given to the urban dweller by Italian owners – can be found on the rear quarter windows and the side moldings. In addition to the existing color palette of the Panda (Gelato White, Cinema Black, Passione Red, and Italia Blue), the special edition is also available in Positano Yellow which can be combined with a black roof.

The press release doesn’t mention any mechanical updates, meaning that the Pandina will continue with the same mild-hybrid 1.0-liter Firefly three-cylinder engine that is good for 69 hp (52 kW / 70 PS). Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.

People Love The Panda So Fiat Will Keep Making It

Despite being based on a 13-year-old design, the Panda remains a best-seller in the city car segment in both Italy and Europe. Bear in mind that Fiat has sold more than 8 million units of the nameplate since the debut of the original in 1980.

Interestingly, a recent increase in customer demand prompted the Italian automaker to boost production by approximately 20 percent. Fiat confirmed that production of the model will continue at the Giambattista Vico plant in Pomigliano d’Arco in Southern Italy, at least until 2027, which means that it will remain on sale alongside its fully electric successor.

Sales of the new Fiat Pandina will commence in major European markets in summer 2024, coinciding with the debut of the next generation. This might be the reason why Fiat chose a new name for the old model allowing it to peacefully coexist with the new Panda.