More than 40 years after the Panda 4x4 launched and quickly became an Italian legend, it looks likely the intrepid little off-roader will be making a return to our roads.

Fiat has unveiled its new Grande Panda 4x4 concept that's a 'direct heir of the Panda 4x4 of the '80s', although the Italian car maker is being rather coy about the finer details. 

Hailed by Fiat as 'the next chapter in the legacy of the Italian brand' the Grande Panda 4x4 has an exterior design that references both the Panda 4x4 of old and the new Grande Panda which marks a return to Fiat's retro roots.

If the Panda 4x4 does go into production it will be the first Stellantis (the owner of Fiat) four-wheel drive model to be based on its 'Smart Car' platform that the Citroen C3 and Vauxhall Frontera already use. 

There's no timeline as to when the Panda 4x4 would go into production or how much it will cost, but head of Fiat for Europe, Gaetano Thorel, told press at the unveiling: 'We knew everyone would love it, we have to do it.'

The 2025 Grande Panda starts at £18,025 for the hybrid – which combines a 1.2-litre turbo petrol and a 21kW e-motor - and £21,000 for the EV, so it's likely the 4x4 would start from somewhere around there. If it does actually arrive that is...

The original Panda 4x4 was designed for Italians that lived in the most rural and least accessible parts of Italy or frequently journeyed there.

Keeping this in mind, Fiat says the new Panda will be 'a symbol of versatility, reliability and freedom on four wheels' and will come with an electrified innovative rear axle that will 'enable the vehicle to deliver impressive performance in urban settings and on more demanding terrain'.

The rear axle is the only electric confirmation we've had so far, but Fiat boss Thorel seemed to reject the idea of it being fully electric, telling Auto Express: 'To me, the 4x4 is meant to be at 2000 metres above sea level, in winter. As far as I remember, batteries in winter are not really too comfortable...'

The original car could scramble up a hillside and provided extraordinary performance on the toughest terrains, and it did so at an affordable price which is why over three generations Fiat sold around 800,000 Panda 4x4s.

It also looked brilliant, and perfected the small on the outside but cleverly spacious on the inside trick.

Building on the 'box on wheels' updated looks of the Grande Panda, the 4x4 concept is beefed up for tricky terrain with a jacked-up ride height, and some seriously cool fitted steel wheels, as well as beige details and bolted on roof rack lamps.

The interior has a brown look to give it a vintage feel as well as an outdoor element to the cabin. 

The Dark red concept paint with black bumpers makes it stand out from the crowd.

The original Fiat Panda and the 4x4

Over three generations the Panda became an institution of Italy.

Over 280,000 were sold in the UK alone and almost every village and town in Italy had Panda 4x4s dotted around its streets.

Italy's version of the Renault 4 or Citroen 2CV, it could haul around five passengers and luggage while being fuel efficient and cheap to buy.

It's always been a cheerful car which is both conventional and ingenious, but the 4x4 built on that and made this much-loved car ready for any adventure.

Beaten by the Dacia Duster to the prize of the cheapest 4x4 in the UK in 2012, the third generation was sold until 2023 which saw a limited edition '4x40' model come in to celebrate four decades of the small SUV's history.