Fiat switches Team Ireland to Grande Pandas

Fiat Ireland has updated the Team Ireland fleet with the all-new Grande Panda, replacing Fiat 600s, as part of its partnership with the Olympic Federation of Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. The handover was at the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown, Dublin, where athletes Sarah Lavin, Philip Doyle, and Thomas Barr attended the event. 

The partnership provides athletes with a dedicated fleet for training and events, including two Fiat Professional vans for equipment transport. John Saunders, Fiat Ireland’s Managing Director, said the company was proud to support athletes on their journey to Los Angeles 2028. Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, highlighted the practical benefits of reliable transport. 

The Grande Panda, available in electric and mild hybrid variants, starts at €22,995 and has won several awards, including the Red Dot Award 2025. The Fiat range will expand with the Grizzly SUV and Fastback later this year. 

New Fiats unveiled in birthday video

Fiat has marked its 127th anniversary with the reveal of two new family-focused models, the Grizzly and Grizzly Fastback, writes Brian Byrne. Unveiled in a playful launch video set in an Italian registry office, the pair offer two distinct silhouettes.

The Grizzly is a 4.4-metre SUV aimed at customers prioritising comfort, space and everyday usability. The 4.5-metre Grizzly Fastback adds a more distinctive coupe-style profile while maintaining generous interior room and a 600-litre boot. Both will be offered with petrol, mild hybrid and fully electric powertrains delivering up to 145 hp, with manual or automatic transmissions depending on market.

The duo will be available in seven body colours and will make their public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, ahead of a commercial launch from the final quarter of 2026. Irish-market timing, specifications and pricing will be confirmed closer to launch. 

More Fiat 600 choice

Fiat Ireland is expanding its 600 range with a new petrol manual model, writes Brian Byrne. This will arrive in Q4, adding to the new 600 Sport as well as updates across the line-up.

The new 600 Sport adds a sharper look and comes with 110hp, 145hp and fully electric 156hp powertrain options. Styling highlights include a new Acid Green paint option, a black roof, dark-finish 18-inch alloys and black exterior accents.

A new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine with 100hp joins the range as the entry-level option, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. 

The wider 600 range also gets revised exterior lights, fresh interior trim, a new centre console layout, an improved touchscreen and additional wheel designs.

The 600 Sport is on sale now from €33,995, while pricing for the petrol model will be announced closer to its Q4 arrival. 

Fiat Ireland again sponsors Dalkey Book Festival

Fiat Ireland is continuing its partnership with Dalkey Book Festival for 2026, supporting one of Ireland’s most celebrated cultural events, writes Trish Whelan. The festival kicks off today, Thursday June 18th, and runs up to Sunday 21st. 

As official vehicle partner, Fiat will provide five brand-new Grande Pandas to transport guests and speakers throughout the weekend, along with a Fiat Professional van supporting the festival’s logistical requirements. 

John Saunders, Managing Director at Fiat Ireland said the festival brings an incredible mix of literature, ideas, politics and world affairs, attracting world class speakers and audiences to one of the most picturesque corners of Ireland. He added: “The creativity, innovation and magnificent atmosphere found at the festival makes this partnership a perfect fit for the Fiat brand”. Founded by Sian Smyth and David McWilliams, the festival is now celebrating its 18th year with the inclusion of a new location on the grounds of Loreto Abbey. 

This year’s festival will have over 100 speakers across 90 events including leading figures such as Roddy Doyle, Neil Jordan and Salman Rushdie, who memorably described the Dalkey Book Festival as ‘the best little festival in the world’. 

The Fiat Grande Panda, available from €22,995, is the latest addition to the Fiat range. It has already earned international recognition, winning the 2026 Autobest Conquest Award for Design and the prestigious Red Dot Award in 2025.

Pictured above are David McWilliams, co-founder of Dalkey Book Festival, and Ciaran Cusack, Communications and Brands Manager, Fiat Ireland. 

Fiat Grande Panda First Drive: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

One of my brothers has three Fiat Pandas, writes Brian Byrne. Has had for a long time. I'm not sure what age they are, but they weren't young when he bought them. I think two of them might still be running, the third slowly being cannibalised for parts. He'll admit that he now won't trust one for a long journey, and will hire a car for that when necessary (and he and his wife now regularly ride electric bicycles around their quite rural south of England home place). But the Pandas have served the couple and the four daughters they raised very well indeed, and if the cars could talk, they'd speak of many adventures with their family of young and older drivers.

I was reminded of all that with the recent launch in Ireland of the new Grande Panda. A car on which Fiat is pinning its future as a viable car brand. After a couple of years of serious difficulty in its home Europe — a 25 per cent drop in sales in 2025 alone — following an even longer period of stagantion it Italy itself, the first results for 2026 are indicating a rebound. Largely due to the Grande Panda, introduced in its first markets in January 2025. 

In Ireland, where Fiat sales all but collapsed before the franchise was taken up by Gowan Auto, the outgoing Panda was its best seller over the last two years, albeit in a very tiny market share for the brand. The Grande Panda is Fiat Ireland's great hope.

I got to drive it first during the recent week of chaos on Ireland's roads. In the process of avoiding a number of potential blockages, I brought it through a mix of various suburban backwaters, on some quite dodgy road surfaces, as well as dozens of traffic-slowing bumps, and eventually for a run on a fairly clear motorway. Two things became very clear: the car is fun in style and performance, and its increase to 'Grande' size from a city A-segment to a B-segment small SUV is, in fact, a game-changer for the model.

The stylists reached back to the boxy shape of the original 1980 Panda, which in subsequent generations became more rounded in style. Now, deliberately as a small SUV, the squareness is back but with modern design elements, some of them cheerfully idiosyncratic. Sometimes, it's not all about technology — in today's generally dismal driving conditions, a car that can periodically make you smile is something to be valued. 

The stance is 'let's go'. The edginess is tempered by subtle sculpting and some simple curving in the fascia. The chunkiness of the rear makes it look strong, and the lights front and rear are quirky, LED  tech in a 'pixel art' reflection of the 1980s. The model name is embossed large on the sides, and the Fiat brand similarly so on the rear. Say it loud, say it clear. 

That relatively tall style also makes the car easier to get in and out of, something this lanky and no-longer-so-supple writer appreciates. Once in, there's also stuff to smile about. Cheerful, brash colours of blue, black, yellow, gold and grey. Funky design of the entertainment and information parts of the dashboard. Bamboo-style dashboard and glove box elements that do, in fact, have 30 per cent of that sustainable material in the mix of what they are made from. In addition, about 17 recycled Tetra-Pak milk and juice containers are used in each car as recycled material for the interior door panels and other areas.

There's a roominess which previous Panda owners will not have experienced, and the Granda Panda is a 5-seater, provided those in the back are not a trio of front-row scrum types. The boot capacity varies between 361L and 412L — the smaller capacity is on the electric version.

The electric and a mild-hybrid are the two available powertrains at this launch point. The former is a BEV with a range of around 320km, and the hybrid is the familiar Stellantis unit with a 110hp 3-pot petrol and a 6-speed dual clutch auto. A 400km version of the BEV is coming early next year, and there will also be a manual transmission petrol car at some stage. 

There are three grades: the base Pop is only available with the electric car, which comes with just a phone dock for connectivity. There's the mid-range Icon with both powertrains, and a La Prima top grade that offers such niceties as rear view camera, roof rails, privacy glass and power-fold mirrors. (It's far from any of those my brother's daughters learned to drive with ...)

Sometimes, at a short launch drive, you come away wondering if you have enough to make a decision on a car. Often as not, it's a "well, let's wait and see." Somewhow, though, the vibe from the Grande Panda has me already in a positive humour. When a car leaves you smiling, it's in line for a win.

PRICE: From €22,995 (electric) and €25,800 (hybrid). WHAT I LIKED: Quirky and colourful will always make me smile. 

Fiat launch new Grande Panda from €22,995

Fiat Ireland unveiled its new Grande Panda to the Irish media at a special press launch event held at the offices of the Olympic Federation of Ireland in Abbotstown, the home of Team Ireland for whom Fiat is the Official Vehicle Partner. 

 The Grande Panda is Fiat’s bold reimagining of one of motoring’s beloved nameplates which stretches back 45 years over three generations. Over eight million units sold during that time. The model competes in the B-segment car. The target audience is first-time buyers, newly qualified drivers, empty nesters seeking to downsize and as a first, or second, family car. 

This latest Panda has been given a strong personality featuring a boxy, robust shape and bold stance inspired by the 1980s version and including the PXL (LED)s from the pixel art of that time, giving the car both a nostalgic and futuristic look. There’s a strong focus on colour and sustainable materials in the interior including a bamboo fibre textiles used on the dashboard. 

Features include a 10-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen radio standard on Icon and La Prima with wireless mirroring with Android Auto/Apple Car Play. La Prima includes the embedded Navigation System. Boot space is 412 litres for the hybrid version, 361 litres otherwise. 

Trims are Pop, Icon and La Prima, all come well specced. Powertrains include full electric (BEV) and mild hybrid variants. The Pop trim is offered only with the battery electric versions while hybrids are offered in both the Icon and La Prima trims. All-electric (BEV) versions with a 44kWh battery and engine power of 83kW, have an electric range of 320kms, and can DC charge in 30 minutes. A world-first feature is the integrated retractable 4.5m front charging cable behind the FIAT logo, which works up to 7 kW AC only. If you upgrade to 11 kW AC, you lose the retractable cable and must use the rear charging port instead. Both Icon and La Prima electric models include the 7kW on board Front Spiral Cable for convenient charging. 

The Grande Panda will be the official vehicle for Team Ireland as part of their four-year partnership with Fiat Ireland, and used to support Irish athletes’ performances by providing transport solutions to make training, competitions and their day-to-day commitments more manageable and stress-free. A dedicated fleet of Fiat vehicles will be made available to athletes and sporting national governing bodies. 

Brand Ambassadors Kate O’Connor and Thomas Barr will be driving new Grande Pandas while Olympic Champion swimmer Daniel Wiffen has been driving the model as he competes in the Irish Open. Kate is pictured with John Saunders, Managing Director Fiat Ireland, at last week's launch at Team Ireland HQ.

At the launch, John Saunders, Managing Director of Fiat Ireland said: “This is a car that perfectly captures what Irish drivers are looking for right now. A stylish, versatile and affordable option with a choice of powertrains that doesn’t compromise on technology or sustainability.” 

The Pop is from €22,995; Icon from €23,995 and La Prima from €26,995. Fiat Ireland expect to sell around 250 units (based on supply) for the rest of this year, moving to 500-600 units in a whole calendar year. 

Fiat Ireland sponsoring RTE's Winter Olympic coverage

Fiat Ireland is the official sponsor of RTE’s Winter Olympic coverage on RTE Player for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games taking place over the last week up until 22 February 2026, writes Trish Whelan. The partnership will give the brand prominent visibility with Irish audiences during one of the year’s biggest global sporting events. 

As part of the sponsorship, 10-second Fiat branded stings will appear ahead of every live stream across both RTE Player Olympic channels. 

Team Ireland's four athletes competed across alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and freestyle skiing.

The Winter Olympics mark the first major Games coverage in Ireland since Fiat Ireland became the official car partner to Team Ireland. 

Dan Dooley Car Sales appointed Fiat & Jeep dealership

Dan Dooley Car Sales has been appointed an authorised dealer for Fiat, Fiat Professional and Jeep in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan. 

Located in Knocklong, Co Limerick, the dealership dates back to 1061 when Dan Dooley first opened his garage. Since then, the Dooley name has become synonymous with the motor trade in the region. 

Welcoming Dan Dooley Car Sales as a new authorised dealer for the brands, John Saunders, Managing Director at Fiat and Jeep Ireland said ‘their heritage, local reputation and unwavering commitment to customers make them an excellent partner for our brands’. 

The dealership will provide sales and authorised after sales for all three brands. James Dooley, Dealer Principal at Dan Doyle Car Sales, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Gowan Auto and to represent Fiat, Fiat Professional and Jeep and our team looks forward to introducing these products to customers and continuing our long tradition of offering excellent service and value.” 

Pictured from left to right: Ian Tolan (Head of Sales at Fiat & Jeep Ireland); Johnny Murphy (Sales Manager at Dan Dooley Car Sales); John Saunders (Managing Director at Fiat & Jeep Ireland); James Dooley (Dealer Principal at Dan Dooley Car Sales); Andy Dooley (After Sales Manager at Dan Dooley Car Sales); and Brian Higgins (Area Sales Manager at Fiat & Jeep Ireland).

Fiat Ireland official vehicle partner for Her Sport Awards

Fiat Ireland is the official vehicle partner for the Her Sport Awards presented by Lidl, taking place on Friday, 23 January 2026 at The Helix, Dublin, writes Trish Whelan. Now in its eight year, the Her Sport Awards honours athletes, teams, coaches and volunteers whose performances and influence continue to shape Irish sport. 

As part of the partnership, Fiat Ireland will deliver a series of exclusive experiences in the lead-up to the Awards, including VIP guest arrivals in Fiat Ireland vehicles, a competition and behind-the-scenes content created with Her Sport. 

Niamh Tallon, Founder of Her Sport, said: "Fiat’s support sends a powerful message: women’s sport deserves recognition, investment, and a stage to shine". 

Ciaran Cusack, Brand and Communications Manager at Fiat Ireland, said this partnership ‘builds on Fiat’s wider support of Irish sport, including our ongoing partnership with Team Ireland, and reflects our commitment to baking talent, ambition and achievement at every level’. 

Public voting is now open giving fans across the country the chance to support the women who made 2025 a defining year for Irish sport. Voting ends on Friday, 16 January. Voting and ticket info at awards.hersport.ie

Fiat continues to support Team Ireland athletes

As part of Fiat’s four-year partnership with The Olympic Federation of Ireland, Fiat Ireland is continuing to support Team Ireland athletes by appointing Olympic bronze medallist, Philip Doyle as a Fiat Brand Ambassador fresh from his bronze medal at the World Rowing Championships, writes Trish Whelan.

Philip will drive the new Fiat 600 Hybrid awarded Irish Compact SUV of the Year 2025 by the Irish Motoring Media Association (MMAI). 

Other Team Ireland athletes currently driving a Fiat car include Paris 2024 Olympian and Heptathlete, Kate O’Connor, along with former Olympian and Track and Field athlete, Thomas Barr. 

Philip is pictured above with Ciaran Cusack, Communications and Brand Manager, Fiat Ireland, at the recent handover of the Fiat 600 Hybrid.

 

Fiat reveals 4x4 Grande Panda concept

A concept revealed by Fiat could be the foundation for a 4x4 Grande Panda, reflecting a car that was available during the 1980s, writes Brian Byrne. 

The Panda 4x4 launched in 1983 became popular with enthusiasts for its agility as a runaround town car and rugged terrain capability.

The 2025 concept version features an electrified rear axle designed to offer efficiency and ability in either set of driving conditions. The Bordeaux red colour and beige details offer a full-bodied modern sense with nostalgic undertones. 

Grande Panda Hybrid slated for summer launch

Fiat will be introducing the Grande Panda Hybrid to Ireland later in the summer, writes Brian Byrne. A full electric version was recently detailed.

The powertrain is based on a 110hp 1.2 turbo petrol and 48V mild hybrid system, with a 6-speed dual clutch auto transmission.

The 4-metre car is designed to seat five passengers comfortably and is claimed to have best in class shoulder room.  There will be three trim levels. 

Fiat Professional reveals pricing for latest vans range

A complete specification and pricing matrix for the new Fiat Professional light commercial vehicle range in Ireland has been revealed, writes Brian Byrne. The models include Doblo, Scudo and Ducato.

Doblo comes in three trim levels, a choice of two or three seats, and with electric, diesel and diesel automatic. Prices start at €24,995.

The Scudo medium van comes in two levels of specification with diesel and electric powertrain options. Prices start at €35,995.

The latest generation Ducato large van comes in four different lengths, two wheelbases and three heights, as well as alternative body options that include tipper and chassis cab. Three diesel outputs and an automatic option in powertrains are joined by an electric version. Prices from €35,295. 

Fiat 600e review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

The cute little Fiat 500 holds a special place in the hearts of many motorists since it was first introduced in 1957, and produced for 18 years. The love was rekindled with the 'modern' baby 500 in 2007, which is now an electric model. Fiat Ireland are hoping their new 600 model, referred to as the 500’s big sister, will come to resonate just as much with Irish motorists as did its smaller sibling. 

This new model takes its name from the original 600 bringing Italian coolness and a fresh style while marking the brand’s return to the B-segments of B and B-SUV. Some may call it a hatch, others a crossover. At 4.17 metres in length, this five-door is longer and wider and a bit higher than its smaller sibling. Compared to the 500, the 600 features a sharper and more assertive face, a 600-chrome refreshed signature both on the front and on the sides, and a renewed LED lighting identity. 

The exterior look is enhanced by the bigger wheels of up to 18-inches, black matt skirts and wheel arches. I had enjoyed a short spin in the 100hp 48V hybrid version at launch. For this review it was the turn of the 600e all-electric version. I really liked the orange colour of my car’s exterior aptly called Orange Sun which brings a smile with it. Fiat claim the new model has up to 100 exclusive and ‘unprecedented’ features, combining the best in comfort, technology and style. Not that I counted them! 

As this is quite a high car, tall people should have no bother getting in and out, front or rear. The cabin is very well finished and surprisingly roomy. Several features are specifically designed to pamper. My car had a matt ivory painted dashboard fascia, really nice ivory synthetic leather seats with the Fiat monogram and beautiful turquoise accents give a premium feel to the cabin. My driver’s seat had 8-way power seat adjustments, lumbar support and a massage function. The front passenger has to contend with 6-way manual adjustments. Front seats can be heated. The 10.25-inch fully customisable central display comes with Navi, CarPlay and Android Auto wireless and proved to be user-friendly with lovely graphics. There are buttons below for ‘home’ and ‘car’ functions along with controls for volume and climate control, A/C etc. A colourful 7-inch digital cluster shows your digital speed, radio, maps, range etc. 

Transmission selection is by push buttons in a row on the lower dash instead of the usual gear selector we have become used to from the Stellantis Group. This location takes a bit of getting used to but works just fine. Storage areas include a decent glovebox, excellent front door bins, a sloping compartment on the lower central console with a foldable iPad-like cover, another big open compartment as well as good storage below the armrest. There are USB type A and type C ports and a wireless charging pad. The rear bench can just about fit three adults but legroom behind a tall person in front could prove a bit of a squeeze. There are no cupholders and no door bins but pockets on front seat backs. Rear seats can split 40/60. There are USB ports for this second row. 

My version had a handsfree tailgate and 385 litres of load capacity, with an area below for cables and tyre repair kit. The car is packed with state-of-the-art safety and assistance features. The 600e La Prima comes with Drive Assist as standard (Level 2 Assisted Driving), 360 deg sensors which increase your visibility when changing lanes, parking or manoeuvring and good blind spot detection on side mirrors. Both available grades have motors that output the equivalent of 156hp and lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 54 kWh give the new 600e a range of more than 400km in the WLTP combined cycle and more than 600km in the urban cycle. When I collected my car, the battery was charged to 330kms which equalled an 85pc charge. 

This version is equipped with a 100-kW fast charger system and comes with a 11kW On Board Charger and a Mode 3 cable for charging at home or in public which ensures a full charge in less than 6 hours. The electric powertrain has an output of 115 kW providing acceleration from 0-100km/h of 9.0 secs. Power consumption combined is circa 15.2 kWh/100km. Drive modes are Eco, Normal and Sport and being an electric vehicle, you get instant torque. 

On the road I had no problems with visibility, was able to get a really comfy driving position, and felt connected to the car with good feedback from the steering wheel. It handled quite brilliantly. With its size, and the parking aids, it was easy to manoeuvre and a doddle to park. A car that really impressed me in its styling, inside and out, as well as its drivability and decent range which helped reduce my fears of range anxiety. To be recommended. Road Tax €120. 

Priced from €28,995 for the 1.2 100hp hybrid; La Prima electric is from €37,995, after SEAI grant and VRT rebate.

 

 

Fiat 600e review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

It's a long time since I looked under the bonnet of a new car, writes Brian Byrne. I only do that now when sent to check the fluids on our small family hybrid. An opportunity to marvel at the mix of engineering, plumbing and electrical work that the internal combustion engine has become since first developed in the late 1800s. There's mystery and symmetry in the packaging which still deserves observation.

I used to be able to poke around in that space. Resetting noisy tappets, cleaning burnt distributor contact breakers, oil changes needed much more frequently than now. Mostly that stuff became irrelevant, unnecessary, or impossible to the ordinary non-mechanic. But it was always interesting to look at how improvement and innovation was changing the look of an automotive system that fundamentally hadn't changed, yet had changed utterly. 

With the arrival of EVs, there's now no reason at all to open the bonnet. There's likely to be nothing more than a small storage 'frunk' to be seen. Traction batteries and sealed electric motors don't have the same 'wow' factor as had the proud engineering around pistons in cylinders, valves, crankshafts and transmissions, carburettors and even fuel injection arrays. A whole visual of mechanical mystery is leaving the automotive room. Once something that elicited similar passions as in those who follow football teams, the car is well on the way to becoming the equivalent of a fridge on wheels. Unseen underpinnings all the same, with different badges and shapes.

Which brings me to the latest EV from Fiat, a brand that in Ireland has been in the doldrums for a decade but is now in revival through the Stellantis group's distributors here. But being part of a global something put together by merging a number of smaller groups with multiple marques already, it all becomes rather a badge engineering exercise. So the 600e shares its platform and running gear with Opel's Mokka and Corsa, Peugeot's 2008 and 208, Alfa Romeo's Junior, the DS 3 Crossback, and the Jeep Avenger. 

The 600e's style doesn't try to stand out much apart from the quirky 'face' with flirty eyelids over the lights and the overall look a perpetual smile. The profile is devoid of tricky design details, albeit an interesting sill-level 600 logo-and-chrome line and wheels which look like they came directly from a motor show concept. The rear treatment is neat, unfussy to the point of making little lasting impression. In short, it's a car for everybody who doesn't care about showing off their automotive style. Which is possibly a growing cohort of buyers.

The inside has direct reflections of the Jeep Avenger. The transmission selector row of PRND buttons at the front of the centre console, the lid of which folds open like an Apple iPad cover. Above these a line of real switches for climate control, and a radio volume knob that has disappeared from so many cars. The infotainment screen is mounted high, with easily understandable graphics that even make the touchscreen less difficult to manage on the move. The little but perfectly adequate driving information pod is uncluttered and immediately comprehensible.

The review car came in a light ivory upholstery with unusual decorative texturing. Plenty of room for me in the front, not so much in the back for anyone behind me. But this is a sub-compact, so for most purposes a reasonable four-seater for the not yet grown family.

It drives like, well, yes, any of its Stellantis electric cousins. Which is smoothly and quietly and not trying to masquerade as anything but a car to do what most owners want, get from place to place reliably and in some level of comfort. 

This was the electric version. The range in my car turned out to be what I believe was a fairly realistic 400km. The platform is also designed for hybrid powertrains, and there's one in the list. When I drive that one, I probably will take the opportunity to look under the bonnet.

PRICE: Hybrid from €28,995; review EV €32,995. WHAT I LIKED: No fashion pretending. 

Grande Panda revealed at Fiat anniversary

Fiat has officially revealed its new generation of the long-running Panda nameplate, the Grande Panda, writes Brian Byrne. The reveal was at Fiat's 125th anniversary celebration and official opening of the new CASA Fiat museum exhibition in Turin.

A special Giorgio Armani version of the 500e was also rolled out at the event.

The Grande Panda takes its inspiration from the model first seen in the 1980s, which became an exemplar of automotive sustainability and simplicity. The new version will be offered in both full electric and hybrid versions.

The Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani comes in exclusive colours, wood inserts, special logos, signatures of the fashion maestro, and a top level of equipment. 

Portlaoise dealership joins Fiat and Jeep network

Des Hughes Motors has been appointed as a Main Dealer for the Fiat, Fiat Professional, and Jeep brands, writes Trish Whelan. Based in Portlaoise, the dealership brings over 35 years of experience to the network, having previously held the franchise for Toyota. 

John Saunders, Managing Director at Gowan Auto Fiat, Fiat Professional & Jeep welcomed the dealership to their dealer network. “Their longstanding reputation for excellence and customer service aligns perfectly with our values. This partnership will strengthen our position in the region and offer our customers unparalleled service and support.” 

Brent Hughes, Dealer Principal, said they are excited to bring these prestigious brands to their community and look forward to a successful partnership. Gowan Auto is the exclusive importer and distributor of Fiat, Fiat Professional, and Jeep in the Republic of Ireland. 

John Saunders of Fiat Ireland and Brent Hughes of Des Hughes Motors are pictured above at the announcement.

 

Grande Panda: Fiat's new global player

Fiat has revealed the first pictures of its new Grande Panda, the firstborn of the new family inspired by the 1980s Panda, a compact family mover, writes Trish Whelan. In the year Fiat celebrates its 125th anniversary, the Italian carmaker is introducing this new global model which they claim is ideal for family use, for shopping and for driving in towns and cities - in every country. 

The Grande Panda, designed in Turin, will first land in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and will be available in both electric and hybrid versions. 

This is a B-segment car under 4 metres long, with clean lines, good inside space, and can carry five adults. 

It will be followed by the launch of a new vehicle every year until 2027. Fiat intend to manufacture vehicles on the same global and multi-energy Smart platform allowing the brand create many different vehicles and respond to customers’ needs worldwide. More details when we get them.

 

First Drive in new Fiat 600 Hybrid: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Fiat Ireland have this week launched their new Fiat 600 which builds on the enduring popularity of the iconic 500. Fiat Ireland expect this newcomer to resonate just as strongly with Irish motorists as has its smaller sibling. The 600 arrives just in time for the 242 registration period and the car is offered in hybrid or full electric versions. 

At 4.17 metres in length, the new model is longer and wider than the 500 but measures just about the same in height. In size, the new 600 sits a little larger than Opel's Mokka and a tad smaller than Ford's Puma. Compared to the 500, it has a sharper and more assertive 'face' with large circular headlights, the overall look set off by black matt skirts and wheel arches. Wheels of up to 18 inches are available. This 5-door comfortably fits five people with good head and legroom for rear seat passengers and has 15 litres of interior storage. 

The very stylish interior is likely to appeal to people of all ages with its simple and user-friendly design and colour schemes. You feel quite pampered with very comfy and stylish seats that in the entry spec feature recycled-fabrics with white accents and a matte black bio-based plastic dashboard fascia. The top La Prima version has ivory synthetic leather seats with the Fiat monogram, with turquoise accents. There's three-stage heating, the driver’s seat gets power adjustments and a back massage function. 

Features include a 10.25-inch fully customisable screen with Navi, CarPlay and Android Auto wireless, a 7-inch driver's cluster which displays your current speed in large digital form, and connected services. The boot has up to 385 litres of load capacity and is available with a hands-free power tailgate. I could adjust the boot in the hybrid to different levels as it includes a removable shelf, boot floor, and space underneath for a spare wheel. While a spare is not included in the spec, owners can purchase one from any Fiat dealer nationwide at an additional cost which will depend on the type of spare wheel (whether a space saver or regular), wheel dimensions, brand and rating of the tyre. All powertrains come with a tyre repair kit as standard. 

The other key difference from the nowadays electric-only 500e, apart from size, is that the 600 is offered in both hybrid and fully electric variants. My first drive was in the 100hp 48V Hybrid which uses a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with an integrated electric motor. On our drive from Fiat’s HQ at City West it seemed seamless in operation, we hardly felt any gear changes. The hybrid is capable of a 0-100km/h time of around 11 seconds and has almost instantaneous torque delivered from the e-motor. 

The all-electric 600e’s lithium-ion batteries, with a capacity of 54kWh, give a claimed range of more than 400km in the WLTP combined cycle and more than 600km in the urban cycle. It comes with a 100-kW fast charger system and an 11kW on board charger and a Mode 3 cable for charging at home or in public which ensures a full charge in under 6hrs. This electric powertrain has an output of 115 kW allowing acceleration from 0-100kmh in 9.0 secs and has three driving modes - eco, normal and sport. Both versions of the car come with a host of safety features including Adaptive Cruise Control, Electric parking brake, and Autonomous Emergency Braking. 

Prices start from €28,995 for the hybrid and from €32,995 for the fully electric 600e (incl grants). Annual road tax is €180.

Ciaran Cusack, Marketing Manager of Fiat, Gowan Auto, is pictured above at the launch of the new Fiat 600.

 

Fiat E-Doblo review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

The small Fiat Doblo panel van has been produced by the Italian automaker since 2000, writes Trish Whelan. A second-generation arrived in 2010 while the third iteration of the model, a rebadged version of the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner vans, was unveiled last year with a battery electric version (BEV) offered as the e-Doblo. All are part of the huge Stellantis group and are imported and distributed in Ireland by Gowan Auto. 

Doblo is a certainly a handsome van that will look good pulling up outside a client’s premises. It is offered in both SWB and LWB versions. Exterior features on our LWB short time review version were 16-inch steel wheels with enhanced suspensions, black front and rear bumpers, side rubbing strips, Daytime Running Lights integrated in the headlights, heated/power adjustable side mirrors, twin near side sliding side doors, twin rear doors opening to 180deg. 

The interior is tailored to suit the needs of the driver with comfort, technology to help with their everyday operations as well as different space configurations. The flexible three-seat configuration (a separate driver’s seat and a 2-seater bench) allows you use the cabin as additional cargo space in the passenger compartment, providing more stability for bulky or fragile packages, while still maintaining two seats. 

It can also become a mobile office for the driver during breaks from driving. You pull down the middle seatback to avail of a table for an iPad or computer or to simply fill in delivery dockets on a hard surface or to eat a packed lunch. The driver’s seat is height adjustable with lumbar support, the latter so important to help avoid back pain for drivers whose work includes long journeys. Visibility is aided, especially coming up to roundabouts, by big A-Pillar windows and thin A-Pillars. 

The main focus is the 8-inch central infotainment touchscreen display to which you can connect your smartphone with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and use Google Maps. There’s a knob for volume control. The driver’s digital instrumentation is clear and informative with speed shown large. An out-jut on the dash incorporates a cupholder, some storage areas and transmission selector and your drive mode selection. There’s a 12V power socket way down below, close to the floor. Storage areas include a big overhead shelf that runs the width of the cabin, an area on the top of the dash, a closed cooled glove box as well as an open shelf, and big door bins. 

Standard are driver and passenger airbags, good quality cloth seat upholstery, a full size spare wheel, Hill Assist, remote central locking on all doors with deadlocking, manual air conditioning, an electric parking brake in this three-seat version, one-touch opening power windows, voice control, and remote audio controls on the steering wheel column. The steering wheel is height and reach adjustable. There’s also a range of active and passive Advanced Driving Assistance systems. The vehicle offers a really comfy driving position and car-like drive. A full steel bulkhead, with two coat hooks, protects occupants from moving cargo in the case of a sudden stop or a rear impact and there are six universal tie bracket points on the lower loading area to help keep cargo secure. 

My press van was the E-Doblo L2 Long Wheel Base 50kW, 800kg payload version. Twin sliding side doors on the LWB version help with access to the cargo area which is 1820mm long, 1714mm wide and 1305mm high. Rear doors open to 180 degrees for ease of loading or unloading. Cargo volume is up to 4.4 m3 and payload 800kg though E-Doblo can provide up to a 1,000kg payload. If more load length is needed, the ‘Magic Cargo’ feature increases the versatility of the van’s interior allows for a longer working length up to 3.44 meters. This option is not available in two-seater vans. A hard plastic floor that covers the cargo area is an optional extra as is a reversing camera, electric/heated/foldable side mirrors and fog lamp. 

E-Doblo is powered by a 136hp motor combined with a 50kWh battery pack. With a claimed range of circa 280kms, small electric vans are most suitable for urban delivery work. The range will drop considerably on longer journeys and carrying full loads. You can have a quick DC 100kW charge to 80pc in 30 mins with the 50kWh battery. The battery charging system includes a standard cable or, on request, wall boxes for fast charging. The Wall Box (AC) 11kW charger takes 5hrs to reach 100pc with the 50 kWh battery while the 7.4 kW (AC) Wall Box takes 7h 40mins. Both are best used for overnight charging. 

This battery electric vehicle (BEV) qualifies for a VRT rebate and SEAI grant support of €3,800. E-Doblo standard van €36,850 SWB; LWB €37,850.00. VAT is €7,601.22-€7,788.21; ex VAT prices are €33,048.78/€33,861.79: VRT €200.00.