Fiat is developing a compact city electric vehicle, which is likely to be called the Koala. The new model will be positioned below the Fiat Grande Panda and offered as an electric alternative to the petrol-powered Fiat Pandina. This is reported by Carscoops.
Fiat Koala: a practical EV for budget-conscious buyers
The future Fiat Koala will have a different character from the Fiat 500: the main emphasis will be on practicality and affordability. For new budget electric vehicles, the manufacturer plans to take advantage of upcoming European E-Cars category rules. It will differ from the heavy quadricycle class, to which the Fiat Topolino belongs.
Fiat head Arnaud Belloni confirmed work on several vehicles on the E-Car platform. One of them will be related to the future Citroen 2CV. Belloni also said that the Koala name already belongs to Fiat, indirectly confirming the possible naming of the model.
Design of the new Fiat: without the Citroen 2CV retro style
According to chief designer Francois Leboine, the future Fiat Koala will not repeat the neo-retro approach of the Citroen 2CV. The team chose a different direction, and the appearance of the future production cars was influenced by individual works from participants in the E-Car student competition in Italy.
The winner of the competition was the Ippo concept: an angular three-seat hatchback with protruding headlights. At the same time, Fiat did not disclose which specific solutions could be used in the Fiat Koala.
The Fiat Koala was not shown at the Paris Motor Show. Leboine explained that the company chose a different moment for the presentation. Carscoops expects the model to appear by 2028, but Fiat has not yet given an official date. The main image of the publication is an artist's impression of the design.
