Fiat Tipo and Fiat Panda обнов? wait no - must be English only.

After we recently got to know - and drive - the third-generation Fiat 500, which is now electric-only, the Italian brand wasted no time in unveiling its updated “Functional Family” in one go: the Fiat Tipo and Fiat Panda.

“Functional Family”? Yes - because Fiat’s line-up doesn’t begin and end with the 500. For several years, Fiat has described its range as being built around two pillars: one more aspirational and image-led, fronted by the 500; and another that prioritises practicality and versatility, with the Panda as its figurehead. And while the 500 side has attracted most of the spotlight up to now (500L, 500X, New 500), the more pragmatic pillar (Panda, Tipo) is set to take centre stage in the near future - or, in Fiat’s own words, the Functional Family.

We’ll still have to wait a little longer before we meet an entirely new model from this Functional Family - shaped by the Centoventi concept - so, for the moment, we’re left with the simultaneous debut of the updated Fiat Panda and the refreshed Fiat Tipo.

Life, Sport and Cross

What links the two is a new range structure that is now the same across both models. It’s split into three themes - Life, Sport and Cross - which influence both appearance and certain features. Life is the most city-focused, Sport takes a more dynamic approach, and Cross is aimed at a more adventurous look and feel. Each theme can then be offered with different equipment levels.

The Fiat Tipo Life is available in three trims - Tipo, City Life and Life - and in three body styles: a five-door hatchback, a four-door saloon, and an estate. The Fiat Tipo Sport can only be had as City Sport, and only as a five-door or an estate. Finally, the Fiat Tipo Cross comes in two versions - City Cross and Cross - exclusively as a five-door.

As for the Fiat Panda, the Life theme is split into Panda and City Life trims. Panda Sport is offered in just one trim level, while Panda Cross is divided into City Cross and Cross.

Fiat Tipo Cross, a brand-new proposition

Between the two, it’s the Fiat Tipo that brings the biggest changes. First introduced in 2015 (saloon) and 2016 (five-door and estate), it was clearly due a more substantial update - and that’s exactly what it has received.

Fiat’s compact family car has been treated to a restyle that focuses mainly on the front end. Here you’ll find new headlamps, now LED, along with a new grille and redesigned bumper. The Fiat badge is also worth noting: it now features just the brand lettering. Interestingly, this is the first model to wear it on the front, because on the new 500 it will appear only at the rear. Around the back there are refreshed LED tail-lights, and there are also newly designed wheels (16-inch and 17-inch), plus fresh decorative details and new paint colours.

Inside, while the overall design hasn’t been transformed - there are new trims and a redesigned steering wheel - the equipment has moved on significantly. This generation of Tipo gains a 7-inch digital instrument cluster for the first time; a nod to the original Tipo, launched in 1988, which was also notable for its digital interior. It also adopts the new UConnect 5 infotainment system, first seen on the new 500, displayed on a generous 10.25-inch touchscreen.

Connectivity has been stepped up too, thanks to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Staying with “wireless”, the car can now charge your smartphone via an induction charging pad.

The technology boost is also clear in the driver-assistance systems. The updated Fiat Tipo now adds features such as Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Speed Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Fatigue Detection, Adaptive High Beam, Blind Spot Assist, plus front parking sensors and keyless entry/start.

However, the headline addition - which we had already shown previously - is the new Fiat Tipo Cross, essentially a Tipo… crossover. It not only adopts a distinctive look, helped by extra plastic cladding and different bumpers, but it also sits 7 cm higher. That increase is split between an extra 4 cm of ground clearance and 3 cm from the new roof rails, which used to be exclusive to the estate. The wheels fitted to it are also wider.

The other reveal is the Fiat Tipo City Sport, due to reach us during the first quarter of 2021. Alongside its unique styling touches, Metropolis Grey will be exclusive to it, as will 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The bespoke theme continues inside, with a black headlining and a sportier steering wheel design.

Updates also extend to the engines. The refreshed Fiat Tipo introduces the 1.0 GSE T3 from the Firefly engine family - 1.0-litre capacity, turbocharged, 100 hp and 190 Nm at 1500 rpm - replacing the previous naturally aspirated 1.4 with 95 hp and 127 Nm (at 4500 rpm). With extra availability - more torque delivered earlier - it’s expected to suit the Tipo’s family brief better, while also cutting consumption and emissions.

On the diesel side, already compliant with Euro6D, the 1.3 Multijet with 95 hp remains in the range, as does the 1.6 Multijet - but it now delivers 130 hp instead of the previous 120 hp.

Fiat Panda Sport doesn’t make you forget the Panda 100 HP

The Fiat Panda had already been updated at the start of the year, when the new 1.0 Firefly 70 hp engine with a 12 V mild-hybrid system was introduced - a model we have already tested - so this latest update is less about a facelift and more about strengthening its technology offering.

During that test, the lack of an infotainment system stood out; that gap has now been addressed. The Fiat Panda now offers a system accessed through a 7-inch touchscreen, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Using those functions also means you can store your smartphone in a new dedicated compartment.

As before, the Panda underlines its versatility by being available with several powertrains - from the latest 1.0-litre 70 hp mild-hybrid, to the bi-fuel LPG option (1.2-litre and 69 hp), as well as the TwinAir (0.9-litre, turbocharged and 85 hp) - and it continues to be offered in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions.

The biggest addition to the line-up is the Fiat Panda Sport, which will be offered only with the 70 hp 1.0 Firefly Hybrid. That’s a long way, for something wearing a Sport badge, from the much more hard-edged Panda 100 HP. Although it wasn’t sold in Portugal, that version defined the previous generation and built a loyal following across Europe thanks to its fun character, firm suspension, and lively 1.4-litre 100 hp engine.

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