Fiat will begin its biggest resurgence in more than a decade with a new supermini in 2023, followed by three new crossovers in three years.
Ultimately, the Italian brand will have a line-up of 10 core models, including four light commercial vehicles, the South America-only Strada supermini and five global cars. These will include the iconic and strong-selling Fiat 500 supermini, plus next year’s B-segment car and the three crossovers.
Opinion: Electric 500 shows Fiat the way forward
The new-product assault comes after a decade of little investment from former owner Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Under new parent company Stellantis, Fiat now has the money needed to build a more comprehensive brand line-up.
The designs of the four new models have already been signed off, brand boss Olivier François has confirmed, and at least two of the cars will be heavily influenced by the Centoventi concept of 2019.
Fiat’s current car line-up in the UK comprises the 500, Fiat Tipo family car, Fiat 500X crossover and Fiat Panda city car, the last two of which are expected to be replaced, indirectly or directly, as part of the crossover blitz.
François said: “Now we enter a new world. Finally, we’re able to deliver on our dreams. In the next five years, we’re going to launch one new car per year per region – and globally we’re able to create cars that are common everywhere in the world, which is something we’ve struggled with in the past.
“There will be a big return in the B-segment and crossovers. We’re going back to the most relevant segments. We only have the 500X now. My objective is to have three.”
There are no plans for Fiat to expand beyond compact cars, all of which will measure between 3.6m (500 size) and 4.5m (Volkswagen Tiguan size) in length, said François: “Our cousin [in Stellantis] is Citroën.
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A Peugeot/Citroen/Vauxhall underpinning redesigned as Fiat does not attract many non-Italians.
There is a difference between distinct investment and re-skinning generic Peugeot/Citroen underpinnings. Fiat would do well to be mindful of this.
The big question is, will punters other than die-hard domestic Italian patriots care? Fiat need to do something really different and desirable to convert customers from other brands - and I'm not convinced they have the talent to do this beyond the 500.
I'm speaking as a Fiat customer of 12 years.
At last things seem to be moving on the Fiat front. It would appear that Mr Francois has done really well with very limited resources and has remained faithful to to the marque; many in his position would have moved on long ago. He's had plenty of time to formulate his ideas so hopefully these new Fiats will continue the brilliance of previous ones at the affordable end of the market. I was bowled over by the Centoventi concept, so I hope much of that will strongly influence the new models. I had an original Panda back in the 80s and loved scampering around West London in it, and I now have a 100HP and like @bol, I can't think of a more relevant vehicle for today's conditions. I expect the new Panda will inevitably be bigger but not by too much, I hope. I can't wait!
I also liked the Centoventi ..... apart from its width.
I hope that is one aspect that isn't adopted for these new models, the narrower dimensions of previous Panda models is one of the reasons cars like this are so well suited to their envoronments.