Fiat Panda Electric: A Future City Car Against Dacia Spring?

After the valuable 500th, Fiat is set to launch an electric Panda positioned at a less premium level. Could it be a rival to the Dacia Spring?

Since last year, the Fiat 500 lineup includes two models. The “plain” 500, launched in 2007, equipped with a small petrol engine and a style that remains highly popular in our cities. And the new 500e, designed around an entirely new chassis dedicated to electric technology.

This 500e, available in both coupe and convertible versions, is already enjoying significant success among urban “trendy” car buyers. But its rather elitist pricing, starting at 25,400 euros without options and quickly nearing 40,000 euros for the high-end version, distances it somewhat from its original purpose as a very accessible city car.

An affordable electric city car?

This is why the Italian manufacturer is preparing to introduce a smaller, more affordable sister model. We are talking about the future generation of the Panda, this city car which currently starts at 12,300 euros, equipped with the same small micro-hybrid petrol engine as the 500.

According to our British colleagues at Auto Express, the Italian brand is indeed preparing a serial version of the Centoventi concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019. But it will take the form of a very small urban crossover rather than a traditional city car. Also, according to the British journalists, the serial Panda will use the e-CMP platform found in the Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa-e. Remember that since the creation of Stellantis, Fiat and Peugeot are part of the same group (hence these unprecedented synergies).

If all goes as planned, the new Fiat Panda is expected to be revealed by the end of the year, with sales starting in 2023. Will it be able to compete with the Dacia Spring, whose starting price is 16,800 euros?

Read also: Dacia Spring No. 1 in November: the low-cost comeback