The Design Story Behind the Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid

Creating the Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid was no easy feat, as designer Leboine recalls the challenges faced during the process. Despite the obstacles, the team pushed for the lowest cost possible while maintaining the essence of what makes the Grande Panda unique.

One of the standout features of the Grande Panda is its stamped bodywork, a design choice that was initially difficult to justify. However, Leboine believed that this feature was essential in capturing the personality of the vehicle and staying true to the original car’s philosophy.

Although the factory initially struggled to achieve the desired quality in the stamped bodywork, a creative solution was found. The Panda lettering design was selected because it could be stamped into the car at the required level of quality, eventually becoming the font used for the logo.

Leboine emphasizes the industrial design aspect of the stamped font, highlighting its alignment with the Panda’s approach to affordable solutions. He believes that Fiat’s duty is to provide solutions that everyone can afford, a principle that resonates with his own design philosophy.

Before delving into industrial design, Leboine’s journey began with a background in fine art and applied design in Normandy. His specialization in industrial design led him to work at a Paris-based design agency, where he contributed to projects like Korean TGV trains and trams.