Fiat Panda spotted in development for Gran Turismo

We reported that garlanded real-world car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro visited Gran Turismo 7 developer Polyphony Digital in the middle of April, and scouring the images, we didn’t spot a new car for the game. Not even in the background.

Only a signed die-cast model of a Lotus Esprit, not currently in GT7, was a tenuous, possible hint.

But, now, the Gran Turismo social media accounts have published a brief video of the visit, and one on PC monitor while Series Producer Kazunori Yamauchi animatedly talks, there’s a Fiat Panda.

This looks to be a work-in-progress car model, still in the relatively early stages of development, missing the wheels and drivetrain.

But the body looks complete. This is the first generation Italian compact car, introduced in 1980. It had a 23 production run, selling over 4.4 million units.

No, it’s not a race car, but it is undeniably an important model in the history of European mobility – the historical importance something the Gran Turismo series likes to focus on with its car roster.

Plus, the possible tuning, liveries and engine swaps for this diminutive square are intriguing.

This wouldn’t be the first time a Panda has appeared in the gaming series – one from 1990 appeared in Gran Turismo 4, PSP, 5 and 6.

Other Giugiaro-penned vehicles in Gran Turismo 7 include the Lancia Delta, DMC DeLorean, De Tomaso Mangusta and Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT.