DRIVERS hoping to get behind the wheel of one of the year’s most-hyped retro superminis face even more of a wait.
The news comes after the manufacturer confirmed that UK deliveries have been delayed further until March 2026.
Customers had originally expected deliveries to begin back in April, marking an 11-month setback for the right-hand-drive launch.
While the car’s mechanical sibling, the Citroën C3, arrived in UK showrooms on schedule earlier this year, this specific model has been held back due to overwhelming popularity on the continent.
The demand has forced the factory to prioritise left-hand-drive production to clear a backlog of orders.
The vehicle in question is the Fiat Grande Panda.
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A spokesperson for Fiat told The Sun Online: “The anticipated delivery date for the first right hand drive version of Fiat Grande Panda in the UK is March next year.
“Grande Panda is enjoying significant demand in the left hand drive markets where it has been launched to date, impacting the start of production for the right hand drive cars for the UK.”
Despite the frustration for British buyers, the strategy appears to be paying dividends for the Italian brand in Europe.
Following the retirement of the best-selling petrol 500 in August 2024, the Grande Panda has successfully filled the void.
Industry figures from the ACEA show that Fiat registered 21,291 cars in the EU between January and October 2025, a healthy increase from 17,630 during the same period in 2024.
For those willing to wait until 2026, the UK line-up has seen some adjustments on the online configurator, with the entry-level ‘Red’ trim replaced by a ‘Pop’ grade.
The car remains competitively priced, starting from £18,995 for the hybrid and £20,995 for the all-electric version, with a rugged 4×4 variant expected to join the range later next year.
The fresh take on the classic hatchback is being produced at the firm’sMirafiori plant in Turin, Italy.
The motor will boast the same1.0-litre three-cylindermild-hybridFireflyengine that powersthe old 500 andFiat Panda.
Fiat is targeting an annual production run of over 100,000 units for its new 500 Hybrid.
Almost identical in styling to the electric 500e – apart from a new grille for engine cooling – the car will launch in the UK as both a Hatchback and a Cabrio, the latter being unique in the segment.
The powertrain utilises a 12V lithium battery to improve efficiency and performance, while the interior features a modern dashboard anchored by a 10.25-inch touchscreen.
Fiat owner Stellantis was created in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler and France’sPSA-Peugeot.
It is also working on the new generation of the 500, expected around 2030, to be produced inMirafiori.
