A senior Fiat engineer has revealed the first details of the company’s 3XX project to just-auto. This is the codename for a future line of small vehicles based on the new Panda.
Interviewed at the UK market launch of the new Panda, Gianfelice Formento, who heads up R&D for Fiat’s A-segment models, spoke of new derivatives to come on the group’s ‘mini’ architecture.
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While he would not be drawn on the likely launch date for this new model line, Formento hinted strongly that the new Panda is but the start of an expanded presence in the European small car segment for Fiat. The brand’s A-segment models to come will all be built at either Tychy in Poland or the newly refitted Pomigliano d’Arco facility in Italy, he noted.
As for the Panda itself, the global launch process continues, with RHD cars for the UK market now entering production. All-wheel drive variants will follow “in the second half of 2012”, Formento stated. When pressed on the possibility of an Abarth Panda, “this is not a priority”, he replied.
On the topic of global regions for the new car, Fiat has not engineered the Panda for North America, according to Formento. Further, there are presently no plans to build or offer the little car in Brazil, as it would compete with the Uno there, while the Panda will, for now, remain absent from China and India, too.
The main markets for the third generation Panda will be mostly in Europe though the car will also be sold in 40 countries outside this region.
Author: Glenn Brooks
