The brand's global CEO advanced the name of the model in an interview given in France, confirming that it will not be the same as the European one
Fiat’s big launch in Brazil for 2026 will be the national version of the Great Panda, which will celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary in Brazil. The big unknown was its name, but the brand’s global CEO confirmed that it will be sold as Argo.
The information was revealed in an interview given to the French portal Auto Infos. The executive also confirmed that the successor to the Fiat Strada will be sold in Europe.
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These novelties are part of the plan to unify the offer of cars at Fiat globally. Currently, the Brazilian branch is practically an independent brand with an exclusive model line.
The new generation of the Argo will be an essential model for this. It debuts the CMP modular platform at Fiat and will give rise to three more models: the Strada pickup, the new generation of the Fastback and a family SUV that will replace the Pulse.
This family will be produced at the Betim (MG) plant, which is undergoing renovations to house the modular architecture and produce electrified engines. This is all the result of an investment of R$ 14 billion made in 2024.
The new Fiat Argo will follow the style of the Italian Grand Panda, but with visual changes to please the Latin American public. The most notable is the removal of the name stamped on the doors, here they will be smooth. Inside it should also receive changes, but this is still a secret.
The biggest difference between the Brazilian Argo and the Grande Panda will be in the engines: in Europe it uses the 1.2 PureTech designed by Peugeot, here it will be Fiat’s 1.0 Firefly, in aspirated and turbo versions. The strongest engine will have the 12-volt mild hybrid system and CVT transmission.
This new generation will improve some points where the Argo was outdated, such as the interior space and the trunk. It will also reinforce safety, with the offer of an ADAS package, six airbags and a modern structure.
The shape of the hatch will be squarer and taller, which helps to make the most of space, a solution similar to that of the Citroën C3. The larger clearance will help to face obstacles on urban roads, such as ditches and speed bumps, in addition to giving an ability to face dirt roads.
We will know more details as Fiat begins to reveal the new generation Argo. The expectation is that the launch will be in July, the month of the brand’s 50th anniversary in Brazil.
