The budget-friendly model will pair an SUV stance with a sleek roofline that flows into a fastback-style tail
Fiat is stepping into the spotlight once again, this time with a crossover that will expand the growing Panda lineup. The new model carries forward the Panda’s character, scaled up with a larger footprint and shaped by a fastback silhouette.
Two camouflaged prototypes of the production version of the 2024 Fastback concept were recently spotted in a parking lot, offering a clearer look at the exterior and, for the first time, a glimpse inside the cabin. The latest test cars have ditched some of their camouflage, revealing more of what’s in store.
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The LED headlights look similar to the Grande Panda, but they are slimmer and have tear-style extensions for a more modern look. These flank a concealed front grille that’s expected to carry over the pixel-like graphics and retro Fiat emblem found on the smaller sibling.
We can also see the lower bumper intake and a discreet skid plate with a metal-style finish. One of the prototypes has a red bodywork and rides on black steel wheels, which if intended for a base trim, are likely to be paired with hubcaps on the final production version.
The side view reveals standard door handles and sculpted fenders that add some definition to the bodywork. More notably, both the greenhouse and metal panels appear distinct from those on the Citroen Basalt, a related model currently on sale in markets like South America and India.
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Naturally, the standout feature of the Fastback is its rear section, where a sloping roofline meets slim LED taillights for a clean, tapering finish. One of the prototypes has shed its heavy camouflage, exposing the rear glass and an integrated ducktail spoiler. The rest of the tail keeps things more upright, with boxy surfacing, a wide tailgate, and the license plate positioned on the rear bumper.
The model, overall, feels like a natural evolution of the original concept, though its design has been moderated in typical fashion for production. If the Grande Panda is any indication, expect the exterior to include a handful of playful Easter Eggs, likely paying homage to the classic four-stripe Fiat emblem.
How Does It Look Inside?
Surprisingly, one of the prototypes had an uncovered interior. The interior layout diverges from that of the Grande Panda and even from its mechanical relatives, the Opel Frontera and Citroen C3 Aircross.
The dashboard pairs a compact digital gauge cluster with a larger central infotainment screen. Below that, leather-effect trim lines the dash, while glossy black plastic surrounds the oval-shaped center console for a bit of contrast.
A row of physical buttons sits along the lower part of the console, and the automatic gear selector appears to be the same unit used in several Stellantis models.
Other highlights include the two-spoke steering wheel that has the same shape with the Opel Frontera, and the new seats with a square pattern and semi-integrated headrests.
Multiple Powertrain Options
As with the rest of the future Panda family, the fastback will ride on the budget-oriented Smart Car architecture. It is expected to be offered with gasoline, mild-hybrid, and fully electric powertrain options, most likely shared with the aforementioned Citroen and Opel SUVs.
Fiat plans to offer the model in both European and South American markets, with an official reveal expected in early 2026. A year after that, it may be joined by a more traditionally shaped sibling, an SUV with a boxier rear end and added cargo space.
That model is rumored to revive the Multipla name and could square off against the likes of the Dacia Duster and Bigster.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio
