Following the striking Citroën 2 CV, FIAT is creating an Italian-inspired electric car that will cost 15,000€.

Stellantis is preparing a new generation of small, affordable electric cars aimed at reviving the spirit of some of its most popular models. Just a few days ago, Citroën unveiled the new 2 CV Concept at the Paris Motor Show, an early look at its future electric utility vehicle set to hit the market in 2028 with a target price of around 15,000 euros. However, the French manufacturer won’t be the only one to adopt this new approach.

FIAT is also working on a car with similar features that will share much of its technology with the future Citroën 2 CV. This was confirmed by Arnauld Belloni, the new head of the Italian brand, to Autocar during the same Paris auto show. The project does not yet have an announced commercial name, though it might carry on the spirit of the original Panda or even adopt a completely new name.

The new FIAT electric car will share a platform with the Citroën 2 CV

The main feature of this project is that both vehicles will use a new architecture developed specifically by Stellantis for small electric cars. This platform, named E-Car, is designed to take advantage of upcoming European regulatory rules that would facilitate the marketing of electric cars under 4.2 meters in length. The proposal is partly inspired by the well-known Japanese Kei-Cars and aims to reduce manufacturing and marketing costs.

"We are working on several cars based on the E-Car platform. We are preparing a small car that will be based on the 2CV and it is going to be something surprising," explained Belloni. The executive also mentioned that FIAT is working on other models that will use this same architecture, as part of a strategy aimed at restoring the prominence of small and affordable cars. Although no final images have been shown yet, the new vehicle could become the electric successor to the gasoline-powered Panda, currently known as Pandina.

FIAT aims to revive the philosophy of that car introduced in 1980, known for its simplicity, practicality, and affordable price. However, Belloni clarified that the future model won’t necessarily follow a retro aesthetic, unlike Citroën’s approach with the 2 CV. The Italian brand wants to develop its own design that takes advantage of the new platform without being limited to replicating the shapes of its historic vehicles.

FIAT wants to bring back the spirit of the Panda, but without relying on a retro design.

The French prototype, unveiled a few days ago in Paris, retains characteristic elements of the original, such as round headlights, a canvas roof, and a body with simple shapes. Citroën aims to bring this concept to production by 2028, targeting a price of around 15,000 euros and a weight of nearly 1,000 kg.

FIAT, on the other hand, wants to take a different path. François Leboine, the brand’s design head, stated that their new electric vehicle is practically as advanced as the Citroën 2 CV, though they decided not to unveil it yet. “We are renewing the lower end of our range,” he explained, noting that the goal is to update the current lineup consisting of the Pandina and FIAT 500. Additionally, Belloni confirmed that FIAT has commercially registered the name ‘Koala,’ following the strategy of using bear names already applied to Panda and Grizzly. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether this will be its final name.

Regarding its appearance, the company has explicitly ruled out a retro reinterpretation of the original Panda. However, it might draw on some ideas from the FIAT Ippo prototype, developed by Italian students and winner of a design competition organized by Fiat. This small vehicle with square shapes has since appeared in the brand’s strategic presentations, though there is still no confirmation that its aesthetic will be adopted in the final model.

A budget electric vehicle that could arrive in 2028

So far, FIAT has not disclosed the technical specifications of its upcoming electric vehicle, meaning the power of its engines, battery capacity, and range are unknown. There is also no official price yet. The closest comparison is the Citroën 2 CV, which is scheduled to launch in 2028. Although both vehicles will share the same platform, this does not necessarily mean they will cost the same. The company has not announced a definite date for introducing its new model, though officials have suggested it might be unveiled during 2027.