Stellantis Unveils Ambitious Strategy with the Fiat Grizzly
The Stellantis Group has unveiled its strategic plan, titled "FaSTLAne 2030," which outlines an ambitious roadmap leading up to the year 2030. This plan includes more than 60 new models and 50 significant updates across various brands and powertrains, showcasing Stellantis's commitment to innovation and sustainability within the automotive industry. Notably, this lineup features 29 battery electric vehicles, 15 plug-in hybrids or range-extended electric cars, 24 hybrid electric vehicles, and 39 models utilizing traditional combustion or mild hybrid engines. Among these anticipated releases is a standout from Fiat, a brand that is set to play a prominent role in Stellantis's future.
The Fiat Grizzly is confirmed as an official name within this new strategy, as highlighted during the presentation of the Stellantis plan. Images reveal a clear depiction of an SUV derived from the Grande Panda, also featuring a fastback variant. This confirmation aligns with earlier hints dropped by Fiat in social media teasers, including the phrase "Make room for everyone," accompanied by snowy footprints—an indication of the Grizzly name, which complements the existing Panda and Grande Panda branding.
Design and Features of the Fiat Grizzly
The upcoming Grizzly models are set to be manufactured in Morocco and will be built on the Smart-Car platform, which is already in use for the Fiat Grande Panda. The Grizzly promises a longer wheelbase and a new cockpit layout, distinctly separating it from its smaller counterpart. In addition to the standard version showcased in Stellantis's presentation, a fastback model featuring a more sloped roofline is also planned, a design trend increasingly popular among compact, dynamically positioned SUVs. Furthermore, there will be a version of the Grizzly that mirrors the technology of the Citroën C3 Aircross, accommodating up to seven passengers. With this new model, Fiat aims to compete directly with the Dacia Duster.
According to the presentation details, the starting price for the Grizzly is expected to be around €20,000, positioning it firmly within the affordable segment of the European market. While Fiat has yet to release official technical specifications, it is anticipated that the Grizzly's engineering will closely follow that of the Grande Panda and C3 Aircross. The 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine in its latest iteration is expected to feature a timing chain and will likely be available in two configurations: as a pure combustion engine delivering 101 horsepower (74 kW) with a manual transmission, or as a hybrid with an automatic transmission, offering variants with 110 horsepower (81 kW) and 145 horsepower (107 kW).
Additionally, an electric version of the Grizzly is in the works, expected to deliver 113 horsepower (83 kW) with battery options of 44 or 52 kWh, and homologated ranges exceeding 300 km and 400 km respectively. As Fiat continues to expand its portfolio, new city cars such as the Pandina and a quirky microvan are also on the horizon, ensuring that the brand remains at the forefront of the automotive market.
As reported by de.motor1.com.
