The FIAT 2CV already has a possible name, and it’s not Panda.

FIAT does not want to be left out of the race for affordable electric vehicles, and it is preparing to launch a sibling model to the 2CV.

The prototype of the new Citroën 2CV attracted so much attention at the Paris Motor Show that many may have forgotten it will have several “cousins” from other Stellantis brands. One of these will come from FIAT, which has already begun to unveil its next electric city car.

In remarks to Autocar, François Leboine, FIAT’s head of design, said the model is as developed as the 2CV, but the brand decided it was not yet “the right time to show what they are working on.”

Does it already have a name?

FIAT has not yet released any images or technical details for this model, but there is already a possible name for FIAT’s affordable electric vehicle: Koala.

Belloni confirmed that the brand already holds the rights to this name, but did not officially announce whether it will be chosen for the new city car. In his remarks, he simply said, “We have a Koala, a Panda, and a Grizzly.”

The new electric vehicle is expected to draw inspiration from the visual elements of the Panda (now Pandina), but it will not be a retro recreation of an earlier generation. The design chief described the approach as quite different from a neoclassical interpretation.

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You can expect to see some images of Ippo, a prototype created by university students from IED (Instituto Europeu do Design) as part of a competition organized by FIAT. The brand showed interest in this project and hired seven of the students for internships at its design studio.

Leboine admitted that some of the ideas presented could influence future models, though he did not confirm a direct connection between Ippo and the new electric city car.

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With no release date yet, the future model will be the first in a lineup of affordable electric vehicles that will include more options.

A model designed for those seeking an affordable gasoline car is also planned. In remarks to Autocar earlier this year, Gaetano Thorel, FIAT’s head for Europe, said: “I need to find an appropriate solution for current Panda customers. We must develop a multi-energy option.”