- Abarth is reportedly working on a hot version of the Fiat Grande Panda.
- It could join the fully electric 500e and 600e with a hybrid powertrain.
- Expect a redesigned bodykit and a much sportier chassis setup.
Abarth was one of the first Stellantis brands to go EV-only in Europe, but quickly realised they might need to reconsider. With its local lineup being limited to the 500e and 600e and demand for EVs being lower than expected, the Scorpion brand is considering a new model with a combustion engine under the hood.
A great candidate for the role would be a hot version of the Fiat Grande Panda. The budget-friendly crossover is currently available with ICE, mild-hybrid, and fully electric powertrains, based on the Smart Car architecture. Naturally, the Abarth badge would bring more power, a sharper chassis setup and angrier looks.
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As reported by Autocar, the model is currently under development but has yet to be signed off for production. When asked about the potential of a performance-focused Grande Panda, Gaetano Thorel, the head of Abarth and Fiat in Europe, said: “Certainly we will leverage the Abarth legacy on something else. That’s all we can say right now.”
A few months ago, Thorel acknowledged that Abarth fans miss the “wrenchability” and auditory soul of internal combustion, with fully electric performance models having limited tuning potential.
Our speculative rendering imagines an Abarth Grande Panda with sportier bumper intakes, a different grille, extra LEDs, and a splitter. We also added larger alloy wheels, Scorpion badges, and body-colored plastic cladding around the fenders, while removing the roof rails for a sleeker look.
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The sharper exterior design would be joined by a custom interior trading the light-colored plastics and Bamboo inserts of the Fiat for dark Alcantara upholstery and carbon details. It could also gain a pair of bucket seats, a flat bottom steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and new graphics for the digital cockpit.
Such a model would certainly require stronger brakes and a unique suspension tuning, distancing itself from the comfort-focused setup of the Fiat Grande Panda and its Citroen C3 twin. This would be a first for the budget-oriented Smart Car architecture that has yet to be spruced up by a Stellantis brand.
So what about the powertrain? The turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine of the Fiat Grande Panda isn’t strong enough for a hot version but that could change with electrification. A hybrid setup with dual electric motors would be a fitting option for the upcoming Fiat Grande Panda 4×4, while providing the much needed boost for an Abarth version with the right software and hardware tweaks.
More: Fiat Turns The Grande Panda Into Something Else For South America
A hybrid solution would probably be less potent that the 278 hp (207 kW / 281 PS) of the single electric motor offered in various Stellantis performance EVs such as the Abarth 600e, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, Peugeot 208 GTI, Opel Mokka/Corsa GSE, and Lancia Ypsilon HF. Still, it would be more desirable to purists, while offering a much-needed variety in the Abarth lineup.
Another important aspect of a potential Abarth Grande Panda is affordability. The budget-friendly nature of the underpinnings would most likely position it under the Abarth 500e and 600e, serving as the new entry point in the lineup.
