Fiat Grizzly to grow Panda family

FIAT has revealed the first official image of its new Grizzly and Grizzly Fastback models, previewing a broader family-focused line-up that will sit above the recently launched Grande Panda.

The two C-segment models are due to launch in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in the second half of 2026, with Latin American distribution also planned as part of a wider global industrial program.

Fiat says both models will be built on a shared global platform and offered with a full range of powertrains, including petrol and battery-electric options. Hybrid drivetrains are also expected, in line with the wider Stellantis Smart Car platform strategy.

The Grizzly is described as the more conventional of the pair, with upright SUV proportions, a spacious cabin, and a focus on everyday family use.

The Grizzly Fastback adopts a sleeker roofline and more lifestyle-oriented positioning, while Fiat says it will offer “greater longitudinal load space for longer journeys”.

Both models measure less than 4500mm in length, placing them in the high-volume small-to-medium SUV segment where affordability, practicality, and low-emissions drivetrains are increasingly important.

Fiat chief executive Olivier Francois said the new models would complete the family line-up started by the Grande Panda.

“Grande Panda marked the return of Fiat to affordable family movers,” he said.

“With Grizzly and Grizzly Fastback, we’re completing this line-up with two vehicles designed around different needs, different lifestyles, but sharing the same idea – smart, accessible, and rooted in Fiat’s design DNA.”

The Grizzly program follows the Grande Panda, which was launched as Fiat’s first model on Stellantis’ Smart Car platform. That architecture is designed to support petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains across multiple regions and price points.

It is also central to Stellantis’ push to rebuild volume in key markets with lower-cost models, including more than 60 new vehicles and 50 major updates planned across its brands by 2030.

The Grande Panda was revealed in 2024 with an electric version priced from below €25,000, making it one of Europe’s most affordable new EVs. It is produced in Serbia and shares its platform strategy with other budget-oriented Stellantis models including the Citroen e-C3.

Fiat says the Grizzly and Grizzly Fastback will continue that affordability-first approach, with production and distribution spread across multiple regions to improve competitiveness and reduce exposure to single-market cost pressures.

The company has not yet released technical specifications, battery sizes, range claims, performance figures, or pricing for either model.

Australian availability is also unconfirmed.

Fiat’s local passenger car range is currently centred on the 500 and 500e, with the Abarth 500e and 695 sold under the performance brand, while Fiat Professional offers light-commercial models including the Scudo and Ducato.

The Grizzly and Grizzly Fastback would give Fiat a much broader mainstream presence should they be made available here, particularly as Australian buyers continue to favour compact SUVs and electrified drivetrains.

However, Fiat Australia has yet to confirm the Panda family of vehicles for local sale, the brand’s recent passenger car activity focused largely on niche city-car offerings and light commercial vans rather than volume family models.

Further details on the Grizzly and Grizzly Fastback are expected closer to their international launch later this year.