Fiat Grande Panda 4x4 concept pays homage to an 80s classic

Just a few days after the Renault 4 Savane 4×4 concept was unveiled, and Fiat is hopping on the retro-flavoured economy car slash crossover bandwagon with the Grande Panda 4×4 concept.

According to Fiat, the Grande Panda 4×4 concept drives all four wheels thanks to an “electrified innovative rear axle”, but there’s no mention of what’s powering the front wheels.

The regular front-wheel drive versions of the Grande Panda that are currently on sale throughout Europe can be equipped with either a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine, or a fully electric drivetrain.

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Fiat says the 4×4 concept is a “direct heir of the Panda 4×4 from the 80s” with the show car’s dark red paint a homage to the colour used on a popular limited edition version of the original Panda 4×4.

Other changes include steel wheels with knobbly off-road tyres, and pixel LED spotlights at the front and on the roof rack. The latter can hold important gear, such as the included full-size spare wheel.

There’s no word on whether the concept has upgraded suspension or underbody protection.

The original Panda 4×4 was launched in 1983, had a small 36kW 965cc engine, a live rear axle, and a five-speed manual transmission with an ultra-low first gear. The four-wheel drive system could be engaged on-the-move by the driver.

That car’s go-anywhere abilities were lauded and it was a hit, with apparently many being sold to farmers, mining operators and others who worked in the countryside.

Subsequent generations of the Panda have also spawned 4×4 variants, so although there’s no official word yet on whether the Grande Panda 4×4 concept will be make it into production, it seems like a pretty good bet. For now, the company simply says it is “Fiat’s potential next four-wheel drive”.

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