Abarth, Fiat’s performance division, is exploring a return to gasoline engines with a high-performance version of the new Grande Panda. This potential move comes as electric vehicle (EV) sales for both Abarth and Fiat have struggled in Europe.
Declining EV Sales Spur Combustion Engine Reconsideration
Abarth currently offers only electric models – high-performance variants of the 500 and 600. However, sales have plummeted: the brand sold just 291 cars in the UK last year, a sharp decline from 1,027 in 2024 when gasoline-powered models were still available. Faced with weak EV demand, Fiat has even adapted its electric 500 platform to accommodate hybrid powertrains.
Grande Panda as a Potential New Outlet
The Grande Panda, built on Stellantis’s cost-effective Smart Car architecture, offers gasoline, electric, and hybrid options depending on the market. Fiat intends to expand the Panda model range, creating an opportunity for Abarth to enter this segment.
A Hot Panda in Development?
Autocar sources confirm that Abarth is already working on a high-performance version of the Grande Panda, though production has not been officially confirmed. Abarth and Fiat Europe boss Gaetano Thorel stated that the brand “will leverage the Abarth legacy on something else,” without providing specifics.
Technical Feasibility
While no current Smart Car platform model has a performance variant, the architecture’s similarities to the STLA Small platform (used in the upcoming Peugeot 208 GTi) suggest it could handle more powerful engines. This raises the possibility of Abarth fitting a beefier powertrain into the Grande Panda.
The move highlights a broader trend of automakers reevaluating their EV-only strategies amid fluctuating consumer demand. If realized, a gasoline-powered Abarth Grande Panda would offer a niche option for enthusiasts while addressing the brand’s recent sales downturn.
