FIAT gets ahead of Dacia with a unique SUV Coupé, spotted the new Panda Fastback
FIAT has succumbed to the SUV Coupé trend. The most unusual and unexpected FIAT Panda has been photographed for the first time during the development phase. Spotted the new FIAT Panda Fastback. A novelty that gets ahead of Dacia and arrives to expand the renewed Panda family. It will be available in thermal and electric versions.
Following the recent commercial launch of the new FIAT Grande Panda, the historic Italian brand continues with its particular product offensive aimed at creating a wide and varied family of models around the mythical FIAT Panda. The company is working at full capacity on the upcoming model, or variant of the Panda, which will be added to its European product portfolio.
This is a novelty unprecedented in the European FIAT range. The brand succumbs to the "fever" of SUV Coupés and gets ahead of Dacia with what will be one of the most important launches in recent years. The new FIAT Panda Fastback. A model that is already in development as shown by these first spy photos. The sportiest Panda has been spotted.
Spy photos of the new FIAT Panda Fastback
In broad daylight, showcasing a large amount of camouflage and circulating on open roads in southern Europe. This prototype of the new Panda Fastback has been seen. A test specimen that, despite all the camouflage it carries, especially at the rear, reveals a line and shapes similar to those of the concept model that FIAT presented over a year ago.
The Panda Fastback, whose final name is a mystery, is not the first SUV Coupé from FIAT. Far from European borders, in Brazil more specifically, the FIAT Fastback has been marketed for years. A compact-sized SUV Coupé that reached Brazilian dealerships in 2022 and was anticipated through a concept model of the same name that we learned about in 2018.
This sporty-looking SUV is one of FIAT's star models in MERCOSUR. It even has a variant signed by Abarth. However, it will not bear any relation to the European model that is currently in development. The Panda Fastback will be technically related to the aforementioned Grande Panda. It is being developed on the Smart Car platform from Stellantis, an architecture for affordable multi-energy vehicles.
The electrified engines of the new FIAT Panda Fastback
Regarding the mechanical section, there will be no surprises. It will present an engine range similar to that of FIAT's latest launches. And again we can use the Grande Panda as a reference. The Panda Fastback prototype has an exhaust system and, therefore, a thermal engine.
The offer will consist of a 1.2-liter turbo gasoline engine with three cylinders. A block that will be offered with and without 48-volt mild hybrid (MHEV) technology. And for drivers more committed to sustainable mobility, there will be a 100% electric variant with more than 300 kilometers of range according to the WLTP cycle.
When will it hit the market? If all goes as planned, the Panda Fastback will be unveiled in the first half of 2026, going on sale shortly after. It will initially reach dealerships in micro-hybrid and electric versions. Purely thermal options will be added later.