GRANDE PANDA DOESN'T DISAPPOINT

ISSUE 1,868 THE Fiat Grande Panda was one of 2025's most hotly anticipated new models, so when the opportunity came about to drive it so early in the year, we simply couldn't wait – we were on that flight to Italy faster than you can say “Ciao, Bella!”

- 

Having sold more than 7.8 million examples over three generations, the Panda is an incredibly important nameplate for the established Italian car marker. Each version, dating back as far as 1980, had a “simple, unfussy yet masterful execution of both form and function” – as our man explained at the time.

The new car is available with a choice of petrol and electric powertrains, but it was the latter we tried first in Issue 1,868. Fitted with a modest 44kWh battery and a single e-motor mounted to the front axle, the Panda has a claimed a range of 199 miles – although the 0-62mph sprint takes a leisurely 11.5 seconds. Flat out, you'll only just be breaking the national speed limit, because the top speed is an underwhelming 82mph.