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Two new C-segment cars – a roomy family SUV and a rakish compact crossover – will arrive in 2025 and 2026

Fiat will launch a Nissan Qashqai-rivalling SUV and a Toyota Rav4-like rakish compact crossover as part of a push towards a new affordable line-up of models.

They will follow the recently revealed Fiat Grande Panda supermini and sit alongside the 500 and 600 as the Italian brand targets a more diverse spread of segments globally.

Confirmed for production during Fiat’s 125th anniversary celebrations, the concepts, which are currently known simply as the SUV and the Fastback, will arrive in 2025 and 2026 – although Fiat hasn’t confirmed in which order.

This follows its pledge to launch a new car every year up to 2027.

Originally revealed in concept-form in February, Fiat boss Olivier François confirmed they will both target the C-Segment: "Finally we will be back in the C-Segment, with very roomy, spacious, family friendly value propositions. That's what people want today."

Although little else is known about the pair, Fiat has presented the SUV as a “giga-Panda” that will focus on practically, adding that it’s “another confirmation of the special emphasis the brand is putting on the needs of family transport”.

The Fastback, meanwhile, is a smaller crossover “with a sporty flair”. It’s billed as a successor to both the Europe-sold Tipo hatchback and estate and the South American-market coupé-SUV of the same name.

These cars will be closely related to the Grande Panda and Stellantis sibling brand Citroën’s new C3, all using the value-minded Smart Car platform. 

This can accommodate pure-combustion, hybrid and electric powertrains. Although both new Fiats are at an “advanced stage of development”, details about powerplant options have yet to be confirmed.

The C3 offers a 99bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid turbo petrol engine and 124-mile and 203-mile electric powertrains.

Affordable pricing will be key for the new Fiat pair, explained François: “Our customers want iconic and affordable city cars, frugal and inclusive compacts, family mobility.”

We expect top-end prices to stay below £30,000 for the SUV and £25,000 for the Fastback.

Will Rimell

Will Rimell
Title: News editor

Will is a Autocar's news editor.​ His focus is on setting Autocar's news agenda, interviewing top executives, reporting from car launches, and unearthing exclusives.

As part of his role, he also manages Autocar Business – the brand's B2B platform – and Haymarket's aftermarket publication CAT.

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ianp55 12 July 2024

FIAT seems to be on the way back with these concepts and the Grande Panda also shown this week,these show what the company can do when it really tries, all these designs have beautiful clean lines that hopefully will continue to the production version hopefully the interiors will be to the same high standards as well