Fiat Grande Panda bensinmodell med manuell växellåda utmanar eltrenden

In an era where every other press release seems to announce a new electric vehicle or hybrid, Fiat just threw its hat in the ring with something refreshingly different — a brand-new Grande Panda that ditches batteries altogether.

That’s right: no hybrid system, no plug — just a traditional gasoline engine paired with a manual gearbox. A bit of a throwback, maybe. Or a clever move for a carmaker that knows not everyone is ready, or willing, to jump on the electrification train.

So, what’s under the hood?

This back-to-basics Panda comes with:

• A 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine
• 100 horsepower and 205 Nm of torque
• Front-wheel drive setup
• A six-speed manual transmission
• The same boxy, playful Panda body — minus the hybrid or EV badges
• An interior tweaked just enough to fit that manual shifter in the middle console

Fiat’s keeping quiet for now about the price tag and exact launch date, but you can bet the figure will undercut both the mild-hybrid and EV versions.

Why swim against the current?

With nearly every automaker leaning into electrification — even in their smallest city cars — Fiat’s choice to release a “pure” petrol Panda might sound old-fashioned. But it makes more sense than you’d think.

• Affordability: Take away expensive battery packs and hybrid systems, and you lower the selling price.
• Certain markets: In Southern Europe and other regions where infrastructure for EVs lags behind, cheap, reliable gas cars are still a necessity.
• The driving feel: Believe it or not, there are still drivers who want to shift their own gears.
• Simplicity: Fewer complicated parts mean potentially lower maintenance costs.

The ups and downs

What works in its favor:

• More budget-friendly than its electrified siblings
• Manual gearbox = a classic, engaging driving experience
• Straightforward tech, lower risk of battery-related issues
• Perfect little runabout for people who just want something simple and practical

The trade-offs:

• Higher fuel consumption than hybrids or EVs
• More emissions, which might quickly clash with city clean-air policies
• Misses out on the low running costs and silent smoothness of an EV
• Could feel dated in a market racing toward electrification

Looking at the competition

This new Panda won’t be alone. Dacia Sandero has long championed the “affordable petrol car” category. Hyundai i10 and Toyota Aygo X are still hanging on as small combustion cars too.

On the flip side, in the EV space, Fiat’s own electric Panda cousins will go head-to-head with models like the Citroën ë-C3. In short, Fiat might be trying to cover all bases — from wallet-friendly petrol to trend-setting electric.

What it really means

The gasoline Grande Panda feels like a quirky, almost rebellious move in today’s auto landscape. For some buyers, it’ll hit exactly the right note:

• Budget-conscious drivers who just need a cheap, uncomplicated city car
• Stick-shift loyalists who don’t want another automatic in their lives
• Markets where EVs aren’t yet practical or affordable

But let’s be honest: the clock is ticking. With Europe’s emissions rules tightening and more cities excluding combustion engines, the question isn’t if — but when — cars like this will fade away.

Until then, though? This might be the last true “old school Panda”, reimagined just enough to survive in 2024.

Quick Questions

When’s it coming out?

Not confirmed yet. Fiat’s playing their cards close on timing and pricing.

Will we see it in Sweden?

That’s still unclear. Fiat could choose to limit this version to markets where cheap petrol demand is alive and well.

Cheaper than the hybrid?

Almost certainly — though how much cheaper, Fiat hasn’t said.

Does it look different?

Not really, apart from the missing hybrid/EV badge and, of course, that manual gear lever inside.

So, what do you think? A smart move to keep driving affordable and fun — or just a nostalgic pit stop before petrol Pandas vanish for good?

👉 Would you like me to create that direct side-by-side comparison between the electric, mild hybrid, and pure petrol Panda — focusing on costs, driving experience, and who each car actually suits? That could make the contrasts super clear.

Would you like me to write that follow-up comparison piece in the same conversational feature style, so the three versions feel like characters in a story, each with their own personality?