Currently reading: New 2023 Fiat electric supermini to join reborn Panda

Overhauled 10-model line-up will also include a family of compact SUVs

Fiat will begin its biggest resurgence in more than a decade with a new supermini in 2023, followed by three new crossovers in three years.

Ultimately, the Italian brand will have a line-up of 10 core models, including four light commercial vehicles, the South America-only Strada supermini and five global cars. These will include the iconic and strong-selling Fiat 500 supermini, plus next year’s B-segment car and the three crossovers.

Opinion: Electric 500 shows Fiat the way forward

The new-product assault comes after a decade of little investment from former owner Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Under new parent company Stellantis, Fiat now has the money needed to build a more comprehensive brand line-up.

The designs of the four new models have already been signed off, brand boss Olivier François has confirmed, and at least two of the cars will be heavily influenced by the Centoventi concept of 2019.

95 Panda 4x4

Fiat’s current car line-up in the UK comprises the 500, Fiat Tipo family car, Fiat 500X crossover and Fiat Panda city car, the last two of which are expected to be replaced, indirectly or directly, as part of the crossover blitz.

François said: “Now we enter a new world. Finally, we’re able to deliver on our dreams. In the next five years, we’re going to launch one new car per year per region – and globally we’re able to create cars that are common everywhere in the world, which is something we’ve struggled with in the past.

“There will be a big return in the B-segment and crossovers. We’re going back to the most relevant segments. We only have the 500X now. My objective is to have three.”

There are no plans for Fiat to expand beyond compact cars, all of which will measure between 3.6m (500 size) and 4.5m (Volkswagen Tiguan size) in length, said François: “Our cousin [in Stellantis] is Citroën.

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The stories are different, but we’re two people brands and share a lot. I think what’s interesting is that we can divide the market in terms of size. We can be the specialist in smaller cars and then Citroën has more legitimacy to cover the D-segment – and, of course, there will be some overlap in the middle.”

Corsa rival in 2023

99 Fiat hatch render

The first new Fiat, a rival to the Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa, is “Punto size but not called Punto”, said François, referencing the popular Fiat supermini that was withdrawn from sale in 2018 after 25 years and three generations.

There are likely to be hybrid and fully electric variants of the new supermini as Fiat tentatively steps towards going fully electric by 2027 at the latest, said François.

“We’re decisively betting on electric for Europe,” he said. “We’ll ramp up with electric versions on every new car and at some point make a switch.

“Fiat should be the people’s Tesla: electric for all. Clearly, we need the cost of electrification to go down. By 2027, we will be ready, but possibly before. It will depend on cost. I want us to be the first mass-market brand to be electric-only.”

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Fiat’s current line-up uses FCA legacy platforms, which will be phased out in favour of Stellantis-wide architectures that promise economies of scale across the group.

97 Punto

The first new Fiat models are likely to use the current CMP platform, as found on the 208 and Corsa, because Stellantis won’t start using its new STLA platform for smaller cars until at least 2026.

However, the electric 500’s bespoke platform may prove fruitful in the group. Since it already exists, it could pave the way to make city cars viable once again across many of the Stellantis brands, which have struggled to justify the costs of both existing ICE city cars in recent years and developing even more expensive electric versions for the future.

The new supermini could use the electric 500’s powertrain, which has a 117bhp motor and a 42kWh battery to deliver a 199-mile range. However, it is more likely to echo the set-up of Stellantis’s existing electric superminis, the e-208 and Corsa-e, which use a 136bhp motor and a 50kWh battery for around 210 miles of range.

New Panda and 500

98 Fiat suv render

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The two best-known Fiat model names, 500 and Panda, will continue in the new line-up, François confirmed.

He said: “We have two icons. The 500 is one and it’s doing amazingly. In January, it was the most sold electric car in Germany. In the 500 world, models come in different sizes: 500 and 500X. There’s room for something more. It’s chic and urban.

“The other is Panda. The original of the 1980s is quite iconic. There’s something in the air for modern interpretations of cars like that. Not just the shape but [also] the essential, minimalist approach. Less is more. This is what inspired the Centoventi concept and at least a couple of cars you will see.

96 Panda

“You will see smaller cars and bigger crossovers and you will recognise the Panda DNA [in some]. One will be called Panda. The Panda wasn’t iconic because of its shape but because of the philosophy and spirit, and that’s what we’re trying to capture with a little reminiscent design, too. The Panda has to be a little rugged, simple, robust.”

He confirmed that all the new designs are complete and each “has a very strong personality and distinctive design”.

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sabre 5 April 2022

A Peugeot/Citroen/Vauxhall underpinning redesigned as Fiat does not attract many non-Italians.

XLR8 4 April 2022

There is a difference between distinct investment and re-skinning generic Peugeot/Citroen underpinnings. Fiat would do well to be mindful of this. 

The big question is, will punters other than die-hard domestic Italian patriots care? Fiat need to do something really different and desirable to convert customers from other brands - and I'm not convinced they have the talent to do this beyond the 500.

I'm speaking as a Fiat customer of 12 years.

streaky 4 April 2022

At last things seem to be moving on the Fiat front.  It would appear that Mr Francois has done really well with very limited resources and has remained faithful to to the marque; many in his position would have moved on long ago.  He's had plenty of time to formulate his ideas so hopefully these new Fiats will continue the brilliance of previous ones at the affordable end of the market.  I was bowled over by the Centoventi concept, so I hope much of that will strongly influence the new models.  I had an original Panda back in the 80s and loved scampering around West London in it, and I now have a 100HP and like @bol, I can't think of a more relevant vehicle for today's conditions.  I expect the new Panda will inevitably be bigger but not by too much, I hope.  I can't wait!

catnip 4 April 2022

I also liked the Centoventi ..... apart from its width.

I hope that is one aspect that isn't adopted for these new models, the narrower dimensions of previous Panda models is one of the reasons cars like this are so well suited to their envoronments.