FIAT

MUM’S THE WORD The Panda Mamy special edition has buyers with young families firmly in its sights but does it hit the target? Steve Walker reports

With a host of extras designed to appeal to young mothers, the Panda Mamy has a very specific market in mind. Buyers should like the extra practicality it offers but it’s likely that the low pricing will be the bigger factor in securing sales.

Parents, have you ever thought that car manufacturers aren’t doing enough to cater for the needs of you and your growing family? Have you ever found a car’s design to be less than in tune with your specific set of requirements? If your answer is yes, then help could be at hand because being family-unfriendly is one charge that could never be levelled at the Fiat Panda Mamy special edition. The Fiat marketing department has put its heads together and come up with a novel take on the special edition theme. We’re all familiar with limited run versions of all kinds of cars that slap on some go-faster spoilers and super-sized alloys to entice the sporty set or shove in some extra equipment and play the value for money card but how many can you remember that targeted a group as specific as the Panda Mamy’s ‘young mothers’? If this is a sign of things to come, we could soon be faced with special edition cars specially designed for pensioners with dogs or middle-aged divorcees. Ultimately, short-sighted physiotherapists and ginger-haired dustmen might even get a look in. These truly are exciting times. The Panda Mamy gets a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine which doesn’t sound like much but it’s a fair old size in a city car sector where protagonists often favour even dinkier 3-cylinder units. There’s 60bhp on tap and the 0-62mph sprint can be covered in a respectable 14s. It feels lively enough on the road and the Panda’s compact dimensions mean that it thrives in urban situations. Crucially, the car can also manage longer trips without too much drama. Some city cars struggle in the cut and thrust of the motorway network but with a 96mph top speed and a decent amount of torque from its engine, the Panda has little problem keeping pace. It’s a relatively refined companion too.

"The Panda Mamy incorporates a number of features designed to make the life of young mothers (and fathers) that little bit easier…."

The car will pull from low speeds cleanly and the gearshift is probably the best in the citycar class. The clutch feels like a well-engineered item as well, being progressive in its action, making stop/go progress easy to manage. The ‘City’ button on the dashboard takes all the weight out of the steering system and makes three point turns an exercise in effortless wheel twirling. The Panda Mamy incorporates a number of features designed to make the life of young mothers (and fathers) that little bit easier. There’s a second internal rear view mirror for starters which allows you to keep a check on little ones in the back while you’re at the wheel. Bag hooks are included in the boot along with a special high grip mat to help keep luggage in check and special seat covers with pockets at the back feature in the cabin itself. The upholstery on these seat covers is also completely washable because as any parent knows, accidents do happen. The colour scheme is suitably lively with orange air-vent surrounds and special mats for the foot wells. In general, the cabin is very well finished with a good deal of space but headroom isn’t particularly generous. Space in the back of the Panda is a mixed bag, the car being wider and taller than many rivals but without a great deal of legroom. Still, it will be fine for kids and Fiat can only do so much with a car that measures just 3.54m from nose to tail. Luggage space is surprisingly good. The hatchback is both wide and tall and there’s no intrusion from the rear light clusters, although the rear wheel arches limit ultimate carrying capacity somewhat. The Panda Mamy is based on the 1.2-litre Dynamic model from the standard Panda range and comes with a good base specification in addition to its family-focused extras. There’s Bluetooth phone compatibility, a 50/50 split sliding rear seat with ISOFIX attachments to increase practicality, a height adjustable driver’s seat, a CD stereo, remote central locking, two front airbags and ABS brakes. The exterior colours include aubergine and orange in addition to the more mundane grey and black and these, along with special interior trim materials, help to create a "softer, more emotional impact", according to Fiat. The pricing of this Fiat looks competitive with the model (at £8,200) coming in at £5 less than the Panda 1.2 Dynamic Aircon model, despite having over £1,000 or so-worth of extra equipment. Families on a budget could well be persuaded by those figures alone. The 1.2-litre petrol engine in the Panda Mamy keeps running costs low. The car will return an average of 50.4mpg, that figure rising to 58.9mpg on a longer run and sinking to 39.8mpg around town. Emissions are a relatively saintly too with 133g/km helping keep you cash out of the taxman’s clutches. Insurance for all models is relatively cheap, with even the racy 100HP only drawing a group 5 rating. Residual values have proven to be strong by Fiat standards, the Panda proving a popular used proposition. This car’s focus on meeting the needs of young mothers does limit its market somewhat but you’d have to say that it fulfils its preordained role well. Whether this is the start of things to come with special versions of other cars targeted at specific demographic groups remains to be seen but you can bet that if the Panda Mamy flies out of the showrooms, other manufacturers will be quick to follow suit. This Fiat is an interesting marketing concept and a decent car that does what it sets out to do in catering for young families. The changes aren’t major but they could make a difference and the basic Panda package is at or near the top of the city car class anyway.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Panda Mamy special edition PRICE: £8,200 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 133g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 14.0s / Max Speed 96mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 39.8mpg / (extra urban) 58.9mpg / (combined) 50.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3538/1589/1540mm

CROSS PURPOSEFUL Fiat’s Panda can offer an affordable route into 4x4 ownership. You just have to make it Cross. Steve Walker reports.

What happens when a panda gets cross? It’s a question to which only a few unfortunate souls know the answer, the elusive black and while bear not being a creature known for the width of its vicious streak. Like its furry namesake, the Fiat Panda citycar operates at the cute end of the spectrum and isn’t usually one for displaying much aggression of any kind. One exception is the Panda Cross. It’s a Fiat Panda which, as the name might suggest, has a little bit more bite.

In this instance, we can take ‘Cross’ to be short for crossover or cross-purpose rather than a reference to anger or aggression. The Panda Cross is another in the growing group of citycars and superminis that are available with off-road modifications. Fiat’s take on the theme involves the usual addition of styling accessories designed to inject a little more attitude into the car’s appearance but unlike the majority of these fake-4x4s, the Panda Cross does have all-wheel-drive. This instantly gives the Fiat some credibility in an area of the market that isn’t exactly swimming in the stuff. 4x4 Fiat Pandas are nothing new. The original Panda was available with four-driven wheels for those who regularly encountered slippery road conditions or needed to cross mild off-road terrain. Then, when the latest model arrived, Fiat revisited the Panda 4x4, offering it with the 1.2-litre petrol engine. The Panda Cross is a step on from that car and comes powered by a meatier 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine but using the same permanent four-wheel drive system. It uses a viscous coupling that directs power rearward when the front tyres come unstuck and has an electronic differential lock to maximise traction when the going gets really slippery. The 1.3-litre Multijet engine is one of the best compact diesels on the market. Its 70bhp and 145Nm of torque from 1,500rpm should endow the compact Panda with reasonable pulling power from low speeds but a 0-60mph time of 18s is positively glacial. The Panda Cross is carrying 155kg of extra weight compared to a front-wheel-drive Panda with the same engine and that’s a lot in a car tipping the scales at 1,090kg in total. The Panda Cross will be at the bottom of the food chain with the mopeds and bicycles when it comes to racing away from the traffic lights but when the snows come, it’ll be plodding onwards long after other vehicles have slithered to a halt.

"The Panda’s cabin is very well finished with a good deal of space"

Customers intent on a four-wheel drive Fiat Panda can take one of two routes. The Panda 4x4 looks like a conventional Panda that’s simply sits a little bit higher, while the Cross comes with all manner of extras. At the front, the square headlamps of the standard car are converted to round ones by the plastic bumper that reaches up and encircles them. A second set of lights juts forward from the main units and is also integrated into the bumper. The sides feature protective plastic cladding that curls around the wheelarches and the rear light clusters are also separated out into individual round lights that are also encased in plastic. Roof rails and under body protection in the same contrasting colour as the side cladding complete a look which is substantially different from the basic Fiat Panda models. In general, the Panda’s cabin is very well finished with a good deal of space but headroom isn’t particularly generous. Space in the back of the Panda is a mixed bag, the car being wider and taller than many rivals but without a great deal of legroom. Still, it will be fine for kids and Fiat can only do so much with a car that measures just 3.54m from nose to tail. Luggage space is surprisingly good. The hatchback is both wide and tall and there’s no intrusion from the rear light clusters, although the rear wheel arches limit ultimate carrying capacity somewhat. The Panda Cross sits at the top of the Fiat Panda line up and well it might. The car includes the Panda’s crown jewels in the shape of its 4x4 transmission and 1.3-litre Multijet engine. Then it piles on all that styling addenda and a list of equipment that’s as long as any model in the range. The Cross is the only Panda to feature ESP stability control as standard, giving the car even greater safety benefits over and above the superior traction from its all-wheel drive mechanicals. The system also includes a hill holder function and other electronic safety nets to help avoid the worst coming to the worst. There are also twin front airbags, pretensioner front seatbelts and anti-submarining seats. Other equipment includes the City button that lightens the steering, air conditioning, a CD stereo, remote central locking and 15" alloy wheels. The market for small cars with off-roader overtones is fairly well populated with Peugeot, Volkswagen and Citroen all offering variations on the theme. If you actually want all-wheel drive to go with your big bumpers and raised suspension, however, your choices become a whole lot more limited. Because it actually has 4x4 mechanicals, the Panda Cross gains extra credibility over it’s the front-wheel-drive competition. It could also pinch sales from cars at the smallest end of the 4x4 spectrum with its comparatively low pricing. Running a Panda Cross is unlikely to prove too much of a hardship. The 54.3mpg combined fuel economy and 136g/km emissions are enough to make a mockery of those who indiscriminately group all 4x4s into one environmentally unsound package. Insurance in group 3 will also do wonders for the bank balance of Panda Cross owners. Many car buyers will have a problem paying extra for a small car with off-roader styling cues and scarcely any more ability in the rough stuff than the standard supermini or citycar it’s based on. If you like a bit of capability to underpin your vehicle’s rugged looks, the Panda Cross could be the answer. With a proper 4x4 system tucked away under its tiny body, it offers extra traction in difficult road conditions and should have the wherewithal to take on the odd wet grass or gravel track excursion. With its compact diesel engine, the Panda Cross might be slow but it’s cheap to run and the styling alterations give it genuine extra attitude. The idea of a 4x4 citycar might seem a strange one at first but to some, the Panda Cross will make perfect sense. The search for a cheaper diesel-engined citycar-based 4x4 is likely to be a fruitless one, so buyers with that kind of criteria will certainly spot its appeal. Even if cost isn’t the prime determining factor, there’s a good chance that many will like the Panda when it’s angry, or at least when it’s Cross.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Panda Cross PRICE: £11,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 3 CO2 EMISSIONS: 136g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 18s / Max Speed 94mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 54.3mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist / ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3581/1611/1643mm

GREEN GREEN CLASS You might think that buy purchasing a little citycar with a tiny engine, you’re already doing your bit for the environment. Well it depends which one. Some, like Fiat’s Panda ECO models, are greener than others. Jonathan Crouch reports

Fiat’s Panda may still be one of the class-leading citycars but it doesn’t have class-leading emissions, especially not in petrol form where it can’t even break the 130g/km barrier. To keep interested buyers who might otherwise be put off by that, Fiat is offering two slightly tweaked ‘ECO’ petrol models with much greener credentials.

When the second generation Fiat Panda was launched in 2004, no one much cared about CO2 emissions. These were amongst the figures buried in the smallprint somewhere near the back of the owners’ manual and only those with a standing order in place for Greenpeace cared about them. Fast forward five years or so and it’s very different. Much larger cars than the Panda can beat the unremarkable CO2 showing of its 1.1 and 1.2-litre petrol models, both of which are unable to crack the 130g/km barrier. They certainly can’t approach the sub-120g/km level that would slide their owners’ tax banding into a more affordable Band B. This of course is a job that Fiat’s engineers are busily addressing in developing engines for the third generation Panda, but in the meantime, there are two ECO models featuring some simple stopgap measures to lower the CO2 footprint to a more acceptable level. So simple in fact that you wonder why they didn’t just wheel them out to the whole range – but that’s another story…. The ECO measures don’t affect the performance on offer, either from the 1.1-litre Active version or the 1.2-litre Dynamic. Which is just as well as this was hardly neck-snapping to start with, with sixty from rest taking between 14 and 15 seconds on the way to a top speed of either 93 or 96mph. However, the low rolling resistance tyres that contribute to the ECO’s saintly CO2 figures may not offer up as much grip as the standard ones, so bear that in mind on wet days.

"The Panda’s back in the hunt with growing number of petrol citycar buyers who’ve one eye on both the environment and their tax bills…."

Few will regret shelling out a few hundred pounds extra for the 60bhp 1.2-litre 8v unit which is the most popular engine option. Its eco performance aside, the 1.2-litre engine is one of the Panda’s greatest assets. True, 60bhp may not sound a whole hill of beans, but when fitted to the Panda it gives it enough go to make it a good deal more versatile than many citycar rivals. It’s almost as if the citycar sector can be subdivided into those models which you’d never contemplate taking a longer journey in and cars like the Panda that are well up to motorway cruising. Part of the reason for this is that the Panda 1.2 features a four-cylinder engine, whereas many of its rivals have to work a three-cylinder unit that much harder to keep pace. At typical motorway speeds, the engine is a little vocal but not too intrusive and wind and road noise are well suppressed. The Panda’s silhouette is by now a familiar one, with deep, bow-shaped side windows and blacked-out door pillars. It’s a fundamentally good, space-efficient piece of design with fully 68 per cent of the car’s length occupied by the passenger compartment – one of the largest in its class. The Panda offers a choice of no less than four different rear seating layouts. There’s a one-piece bench with two or three places, a 50:50 split option or a sliding 50:50 arrangement with rake adjustable backrests and ISOFIX attachments. This can boost total boot space by up to 30 litres if rear legroom is not a priority. Fiat have gone to great lengths to instil a big car feel in the Panda and the amount of soundproofing pays dividends. Fiat claim the Panda is the only car in its class to have 99 per cent of its interior surface lined, and this certainly helps both the perception of quality and noise suppression. The Panda will pull from low speeds cleanly and the gearshift is probably the best in the citycar class. The clutch feels like a well engineered item as well, being progressive in its action, making stop/go progress easy to manage. The ‘City’ button takes all the weight out of the steering system and makes three point turns an exercise in effortless wheel twirling. The Active ECO’s standard equipment list includes more than you might think. There’s an immobiliser, driver and passenger airbags, ABS anti-lock braking with EBD, electric power steering, ‘Follow Me Home’ headlights and electric front windows. The Dynamic ECO also gets remote central locking, colour coded bumpers and a CD/MP3 player. These two newcomers cost just £100 more than the standard versions on which they are based. So budget from just over £7,000 for the 1.1 and just under £8,000 for the 1.2. Equipment levels have been recently boosted across the Panda range and options include big car features such as smart windscreen wipers, follow me home headlamps, ESP stability control, a Hill Holder function, parking sensors, an MP3 stereo system and Bluetooth mobile phone compatibility. Apart from the special, low rolling resistance tyres, both the ECO models use a low viscosity engine oil which helps them reach their low CO2 emissions level of 119 g/km in each case. If you really want low CO2, then the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel model returns 114g/km – but there’s a significant premium to pay to own one of those. As with any Panda, fuel consumption is pretty but the ECO cars take this even further. Both Active ECO and Dynamic ECO models return 42.8 mpg in the urban cycle, 68.3 mpg extra urban and 56.5 mpg combined. Bear in mind that the CO2 reductions see a reduction of the VED tax band from C to B, so there’s an immediate tax saving of £85 to owners. Insurance for all models is relatively cheap, with at group one for the 1.1-litre car and group 2 for the 1.2. Residual values have proven to be strong, at least by Fiat standards, the Panda proving a popular used proposition. With the Panda having been around for so long, we’d normally be counselling you to look at other more recent additions to the citycar sector but such is the excellence of its basic package that it still remains amongst the class leaders and is probably easier to get the right deal on. The changes necessary to create the Panda ECO are so straightforward that you wonder why (a) Fiat didn’t include them when the car was first launched or (b) simply roll them out to all the current 1.1 and 1.2-litre models rather than just these special editions. In the end though, all that really matters from Fiat’s point of view is that they’re back in the hunt with growing number of petrol citycar buyers who’ve one eye on both the environment and their tax bills.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Panda ECO range PRICES: £7,105-£7,705 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 1-2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 119g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.2 8v] 0-60mph 14.0s / Max Speed 96mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 42.8mpg / (extra urban) 68.3mpg / (combined) 56.5mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3538/1589/1540mm

ONE TON OF FUN This is a novelty. A sporty Fiat Panda might not be the most obvious choice but the 100HP edition looks promising. Andy Enright reports

Unless you’re an Italian resident, the Fiat Panda Cup probably doesn’t mean much. A rally series of 130bhp 1.2-litre Pandas prepped by Supergara di Vezza d’Alba, it has proved an ideal way of getting young talent into the sport at the grass roots or, perhaps, bamboo shoots. Where it becomes relevant to British car buyers is when spin-off cars appear in our dealerships and the first properly sporty Fiat Panda, the 100HP, sets out to convince UK customers that the Panda makes a decent base for a fun hatch.

As its name suggests, there’s a 100bhp engine under the bonnet - although it isn’t the aneurysm about to happen that is the rally car’s 1.2-litre unit. Given that this engine is unlikely to be stripped down and inspected after every outing, Fiat has wisely chosen to install a powerplant in a more relaxed state of tune, in this instance the 1.4-litre 16v FIRE engine. These things are relative though. Peak power arrives at a heady 6,000rpm which means that you’ll really need to pick this car up by the scruff of the neck and fling it down the road if you’re to get the best out of it. Even the peak torque figure of 97 lb/ft doesn’t make itself felt until 4,250rpm. Still, there are other Pandas that fulfil that brief very well. The 100HP is all about painting a massive grin on its driver’s face as it grips and goes out of a tight roundabout or down a bumpy country lane. It’s not just a car with a few cosmetic tweaks either. Aside from that engine, it also features all round disc brakes that are ventilated up front, revised springs, dampers and bushes, plus fifteen inch wheels shod with 195/45 15 tyres. A kerb weight of just 1,015kg means that performance is lively. Thrash the Panda 100HP off the line and you should see 60mph come and go in 9.5 seconds, while a maximum speed of 115mph is possible. Despite the 100HP’s undoubted verve, it’ll still manage a combined fuel economy figure of 43.5mpg with modest 154g/km emissions. Priced at £10,260 on the road, and with a low insurance rating (group 5), this looks as if it could suddenly be a very popular choice with younger drivers looking for a car that serves up fun without the big bills. The exterior has come in for some mild treatment. As well as the seven-spoke alloys, there’s a chromed tailpipe and body-colouring for the door handles and mirrors. Revised side skirts give the Panda 100HP more of a ground-hugging look than its more workaday siblings and a tailgate spoiler and front foglamps also make the standard equipment list.

"It looks the part, it’s practical and it’s a heap of fun to drive. What’s not to like?"

Inside, there’s a darker grey dashboard and the steering wheel and gear knob are trimmed in leather. There’s also a nod to added practicality with split fold rear seats, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, Bluetooth hands-free technology and automatic climate control. There’s also a Sport button which controls the sensitivity of the steering and the throttle. When Sport is depressed, the amount of electrical assistance to the steering is decreased, offering more feel, while the throttle pedal also becomes more sensitive to small inputs. The interior design is classic Fiat, with a high mounted gear lever and a no frills look to the fascia. Fiat have also responsibly insisted that the car is fitted with a decent complement of safety kit. Structural solidity is the first factor in this equation and the Panda features body structures that at first cushion impact and then direct energy away from the rigid passenger compartment. You can choose no fewer than six airbags if you wish, although driver and passenger airbags are standard. Despite measuring only 3,540mm from bumper to bumper, the Panda offers a decent amount of interior space, helped by a generous height of 1,530mm and that wheel at each corner design. Room up front is fine for two big adults, but rear legroom will naturally be a little pinched if four burly blokes squeeze in. Still, for two adults and two children it works very well. Luggage space is adequate, access to the hatch being helped by a very low loading sill. That split folding rear bench helps when transporting long or bulky items. Fiat looks to have the constituent ingredients for success here. Panda 100HP is inexpensive and affordable, it looks the part, it’s fun to drive and decently bolted together. What’s not to like?

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Panda 100HP PRICE: £10,260 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 154g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph 9.5s / Max Speed 115mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 32.5mpg / (extra urban) 53.3mpg / (combined) 43.5mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags / ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3540/1606/1530mm

DEGREES OF VALUE The Special Series 360 model brings extra value to the Fiat Panda range at what could be a crucial time. Steve Walker reports.

Assuming you haven’t been marooned on a desert island for the past 12-months, you may have noticed that Fiat has a little car called the 500 on its books. This ultra-chic newcomer has set tongues wagging throughout the industry and already has more awards to its name that you could cram into its amply proportioned boot. Yes, the furore surrounding the 500 has been quite something but Fiat is keen that we don’t forget about the other small cars in its range. To help jog the public’s memory so far as the Panda city car is concerned, Fiat has launched this Panda Special Series 360 model.

How the Panda gets along in the presence of the 500 will be interesting to see. Will it settle into its own comfy niche or become engulfed by the PR storm that surrounds the Cinquecento? Only time will tell. What we know is that Fiat isn’t going to let its charge be usurped by the outrageously cute newcomer without a fight. The Panda was the car that first signalled the rejuvenation of Fiat for many people. Making great strides in terms of build quality and practicality, it was the first Fiat for a long time that could realistically be described as a class leader. It paved the way for the Grande Punto, the Bravo and the 500, the cars that have put Fiat firmly back at the European small car market’s top table. The Panda also supplies the platform for the 500 so even before we got our first look at that car’s beguiling retro styling, we knew it was going to be built on solid foundations. The Panda’s continued success may well hinge on how highly buyers value its extra practicality and how effectively Fiat can massage its value proposition with models like the Special Series 360.

"…the Panda manages to cram high levels of practicality and desirability into its compact dimensions"

So what’s the story with this special edition Panda? The car is based on the 1.2-litre Panda Dynamic from the standard range so it features everything that model does but with a little bit extra. All Special Series 360 Pandas get 14" alloy wheels, metallic paint and a Special Series 360 sticker on the B-pillar to remind you of your Panda’s special status. The interior benefits from the Fiat logo embossed on the front seats while the equipment quota is also ratcheted up a few notches. Air conditioning, split folding rear seats and a Bluetooth phone system are fitted as standard. Tally up the extra features on the Panda Special Series 360 and you’ll end up with a £1,600 bill but that isn’t reflected in the model’s price. £7,195 is the value Fiat has placed on the car and that’s actually £400 less than the standard Panda Dynamic 1.2 would cost you. It’s reasonable to assume that these Special Series 360 Pandas won’t be hanging around for long. The 1.2-litre engine is one of the Panda’s greatest assets. True, 60bhp may not sound a whole hill of beans, but when fitted to the Panda it gives it enough go to make it a good deal more versatile than many citycar rivals. It’s almost as if the citycar sector can be subdivided into those models which you’d never contemplate taking a longer journey in and cars like the Panda that are well up to motorway cruising. Part of the reason for this is that the Panda 1.2 features a four-cylinder engine, whereas many of its rivals have to work a three-cylinder unit that much harder to keep pace. At typical motorway speeds, the engine is a little vocal but not too intrusive and wind and road noise are well suppressed. Fiat has gone to great lengths to instil a big car feel in the Panda and the amount of soundproofing pays dividends. Fiat claim the Panda is the only car in its class to have 99 per cent of its interior surface lined, and this certainly helps both the perception of quality and noise suppression. The Panda will pull from low speeds cleanly and the gearshift is probably the best in the citycar class. The clutch feels like a well engineered item as well, being progressive in its action, making stop/go progress easy to manage. The ‘City’ button takes all the weight out of the steering system and makes three point turns an exercise in effortless wheel twirling. The cabin is very well finished with a good deal of space. Room in the back of the Panda is a mixed bag, the car being wider and taller than many rivals but without a great deal of legroom. Still, Fiat can only do so much with a car that measures just 3.54m from nose to tail. Luggage space is surprisingly good, especially if you factor in the added practicality of the Special Series 360’s split/fold rear seat. The hatchback is both wide and tall and there’s no intrusion from the rear light clusters although the rear wheel arches limit ultimate carrying capacity somewhat. Structural solidity is the first factor in the safety equation and the Panda features body structures that at first cushion impact and then direct energy away from the rigid passenger compartment. You can also choose no fewer than six airbags if you wish, although driver and passenger airbags are standard on all models. The Special Series 360 is fitted with anti lock brakes, and brake assist at no extra cost. The Panda has flourished up until this point and rightly so. As an inexpensive utility vehicle with a sprinkling of style it’s tough to beat. The arrival of the 500 will affect Panda sales but Fiat knows its stuff and the two are very different kinds of vehicles. Where the 500 is more of a fashion statement, the Panda manages to cram high levels of practicality and desirability into its compact dimensions. With the Special Series 360 models upping the value anti still further, the Panda should get along just fine with its new sibling.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Panda Special Series 360 PRICES: £7,195- on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 133g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 14.1s / Max Speed 96mph [est] FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 51mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3538/1790/1540mm

THE ANSWER’S IN BLACK AND WHITE The latest Fiat Panda has had plaudits aplenty. Andy Enright tries the 1.2-litre version to see if the credit is deserved

Although European Car of The Year title is a heavy weight of expectation for such a small car to carry, the Fiat Panda looks to be shouldering that particular load rather well. In bringing an unprecedented level of sophistication to the citycar sector, the Panda looks set to wipe the floor with the established competition. It’s always good to see what Fiat can do when they bring their ‘A’ game and the 1.2-litre version that we take a look at here represents a very sound purchase.

Prices start at just over £7,500 for the Dynamic trim level which features anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, a trip computer, twin front airbags, dual drive electric power steering and body coloured bumpers. There’s also an ‘ECO’ version of this car with 119g/km CO2 emissions. Next up are two variations of this version for around £600 more. The Dynamic AirCon features – rather unsurprisingly – air conditioning as well as black aluminium roof bars, remote central locking and side rubbing strips. Meanwhile, the Dynamic SkyDome swaps the air conditioning system for an electric sunroof and adds foglamps. The Eleganza trim level features alloy wheels, climate control, a split/folding rear seat. At the top of the 1.2-litre range is the Panda 4x4. The 1.2-litre engine is one of the Panda’s greatest assets. True, 60bhp may not sound a whole hill of beans, but when fitted to the Panda it gives it enough go to make it a good deal more versatile than many citycar rivals. It’s almost as if the citycar sector can be subdivided into those models which you’d never contemplate taking a longer journey in and cars like the Panda that are well up to motorway cruising. Part of the reason for this is that the Panda 1.2 features a four-cylinder engine, whereas many of its rivals have to work a three-cylinder unit that much harder to keep pace. At typical motorway speeds, the engine is a little vocal but not too intrusive and wind and road noise are well suppressed. Fiat have gone to great lengths to instil a big car feel in the Panda and the amount of soundproofing pays dividends. Fiat claim the Panda is the only car in its class to have 99 per cent of its interior surface lined, and this certainly helps both the perception of quality and noise suppression. The Panda will pull from low speeds cleanly and the gearshift is probably the best in the citycar class. The clutch feels like a well engineered item as well, being progressive in its action, making stop/go progress easy to manage. The ‘City’ button takes all the weight out of the steering system and makes three point turns an exercise in effortless wheel twirling.

"Fiat have gone to great lengths to instil a big car feel in the Panda"

The cabin is very well finished with a good deal of space but there is a caveat. If you’re over six feet tall, do not order the Panda with the SkyDome sunroof as it eats into headroom quite drastically. What’s more, the sunroof surround is quite pronounced and features a definite ridge that you taller occupants easily and painfully clout their heads against. Space in the back of the Panda is a mixed bag, the car being wider and taller than many rivals but without a great deal of legroom. Still, Fiat can only do so much with a car that measures just 3.54m from nose to tail. Luggage space is surprisingly good, especially if you opt for the added practicality of the Eleganza’s split/fold rear seat. The hatchback is both wide and tall and there’s no intrusion from the rear light clusters although the rear wheel arches limit ultimate carrying capacity somewhat. Despite their ongoing efforts to convince us that they can build a wide and varied model range, it’s an inescapable fact that Fiat are still largely associated with tiny citycars. From the diminutive Topolino through models like the 500, Uno and Cinquecento, Fiat have proved masters at making tiny cars with enormous appeal. Originally introduced in 1980 and still produced in Italy until September 2003, the Panda has been one of Fiat’s more enduring successes, notching up over four and a half million sales. It didn’t have the easiest start to life. Originally slated to be called the Gingo, it seems Renault have done Fiat a huge favour by insisting they ditch this awful moniker because it sounded too similar to their Twingo - a car that competes for the same market share. Quite why Fiat wanted to ditch the Panda name is a little baffling as it’s still remembered by most as a car that was inexpensive, rugged and ahead of its time; qualities you’d think Fiat would like to associate their latest offering with. Although the Panda was last sold in the UK in 1995, it retains a strong identity and this will help kick start sales of the latest car. Unlike some of Fiat’s recent offerings that have featured rather ‘challenging’ styling, the design of the Panda is straightforward, and appealing. It does feature a few stylish touches however, including the profile of the glazed area that arches back to a neat quarter window that in turn butts up against an enormous vertical rear light cluster. The Panda also features well-defined ‘hips’ that taper forward and integrate with the front wheelarch and headlight areas very slickly. In being able to integrate a good deal of stylish features without the car looking bitty, the designers should be applauded. Originally designed by Bertone and finished with the help of Fiat’s in-house design staff, the achievement is all the more laudable for the fact that the Panda is a five-door car. It’s often the case that such small cars look great with three doors but as soon as the stylists try to cram five doors into a short body length, the cohesiveness of the lines go out of the window. Not so with the Panda. Structural solidity is the first factor in this equation and the Panda features body structures that at first cushion impact and then direct energy away from the rigid passenger compartment. You can choose no fewer than six airbags if you wish, although driver and passenger airbags are standard on all models. Even the 1.2-litre Dynamic model is fitted with anti lock brakes, and brake assist at no extra cost. You’ll find £25,000 executive cars that will require you to tick the options box for some of these features, so to find them in a £7,000 citycar is a testament to Fiat’s commitment to safety. The Panda is such a convincing proposition as an inexpensive utility vehicle that it will probably only reinforce the perception that Fiat is a manufacturer of great small cars. Let’s hope it doesn’t become a victim of its own success. Right at the moment, however, one suspects Fiat would take any sort of success. The Fiat Panda 1.2 has success written all over it.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Panda 1.2-litre range PRICES: £7,605-£9,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 133g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 14.1s / Max Speed 96mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 39.8mpg / (extra urban) 58.9mpg / (combined) 50.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3538/1790/1540mm

THE LAW OF ACCUMULATING RETURNS You should certainly seriously consider buying Fiat’s excellent Panda, says Andy Enright. Just don’t go for the basic 1.1-litre version…

There’s certainly a law of diminishing returns that applies to most vehicle ranges. You get the biggest bang for your buck at the entry level, and the manufacturers often take a financial hit on stripped-out ecobasic models, relying on customers to be seduced by more expensive versions that pack in more electronic goodies. Working on this logic, the Fiat Panda 1.1-litre ought to be the pick of the bunch. Unfortunately it doesn’t quite pan out like that.

What’s not commonly appreciated is that many electronic features found in more expensive models are present in cheaper cars. They just haven’t been switched on. Other manufacturers create hierarchies in their engine line ups merely by coding an engine control unit to produce more or less power. Bingo, you have a 180bhp version of a 150bhp turbocharged engine that the maker can then charge an additional thousand pounds or so for at no additional cost. The buying power of the big manufacturers means that they can negotiate deals on things like stereo equipment from suppliers at ridiculous rates. One senior executive confided that the unit cost cassette decks plumbed in as standard on his company’s wares was more than the optional CD system for which they could charge an additional £300. Spend long enough in this industry and you’ll come to the conclusion that spending as little as possible on the trimmings is the way forward but manufacturers occasionally get their sums wrong. It looks as if this might be the case with Fiat’s Panda. Offered in 1.1-litre Active trim at £7,005, this model sits way too close to the very impressive £7,605 1.2-litre Dynamic to even be worthy of consideration. But wait a minute – aren’t we falling into our own trap of being ‘upsold’ to a more expensive and profitable model? Forget about that for a minute. It’s all about the driving experience. The 1.1-litre car is not only a fair amount slower than the 1.2-litre model but it’s also dirtier and less economical. What price do you put on safety? The 1.1-litre car does without the Dynamic’s anti lock brakes with brake assist and you may well rue the consequences of your economy on a typically icy British December morning. It’s rare that we go out of our way to dissuade you from a given product and taken in isolation, the Panda 1.1-litre Active is a very competent product, but give Fiat a few extra pounds and you’ll be rewarded with a far superior car in the shape of the 1.2-litre Dynamic. Only the most cash-strapped should consider the 1.1-litre model and even then an ex-demonstrator 1.2-litre car would be a more desirable proposition.

"Despite its competent all round showing, the Panda 1.1-litre Active is something of a false economy"

If you want to improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions, then the ‘ECO’ version of this car is worth a look. It returns just 119g/km of CO2 and will manage 42.8 mpg in the urban cycle, 68.3 mpg extra urban and 56.5 mpg combined. Bear in mind that the CO2 reductions see a reduction of the VED tax band from C to B, so there’s an immediate tax saving of £85 to owners. Whichever Panda you opt for, Fiat have gone to great lengths to instil a big car feel in the Panda and the amount of soundproofing pays dividends. Fiat claim the Panda is the only car in its class to have 99 per cent of its interior surface lined, and this certainly helps both the perception of quality and noise suppression. The Panda will pull from low speeds cleanly and the gearshift is probably the best in the citycar class. The clutch feels like a well engineered item as well, being progressive in its action, making stop/go progress easy to manage. The ‘City’ button takes all the weight out of the steering system and makes three point turns an exercise in effortless wheel twirling. The cabin is very well finished with a good deal of space but there is a caveat. If you’re over six feet tall, do not order the Panda with the SkyDome sunroof as it eats into headroom quite drastically. What’s more, the sunroof surround is quite pronounced and features a definite ridge that you taller occupants easily and painfully clout their heads against. Space in the back of the Panda is a mixed bag, the car being wider and taller than many rivals but without a great deal of legroom. Still, Fiat can only do so much with a car that measures just 3.54m from nose to tail. Luggage space is surprisingly good, and the hatchback is both wide and tall and there’s no intrusion from the rear light clusters although the rear wheel arches limit ultimate carrying capacity somewhat. Despite their ongoing efforts to convince us that they can build a wide and varied model range, it’s an inescapable fact that Fiat are still largely associated with tiny citycars. From the diminutive Topolino through models like the 500, Uno and Cinquecento, Fiat have proved masters at making tiny cars with enormous appeal. Originally introduced in 1980 and still produced in Italy until September 2003, the Panda has been one of Fiat’s more enduring successes, notching up over four and a half million sales. It didn’t have the easiest start to life. Originally slated to be called the Gingo, it seems Renault have done Fiat a huge favour by insisting they ditch this awful moniker because it sounded too similar to their Twingo - a car that competes for the same market share. Quite why Fiat wanted to ditch the Panda name is a little baffling as it’s still remembered by most as a car that was inexpensive, rugged and ahead of its time; qualities you’d think Fiat would like to associate their latest offering with. Although the Panda was last sold in the UK in 1995, it retains a strong identity and this will help kick start sales of the latest car. Unlike some of Fiat’s recent offerings that have featured rather ‘challenging’ styling, the design of the Panda is straightforward, and appealing. It does feature a few stylish touches however, including the profile of the glazed area that arches back to a neat quarter window that in turn butts up against an enormous vertical rear light cluster. The Panda also features well-defined ‘hips’ that taper forward and integrate with the front wheelarch and headlight areas very slickly. In being able to integrate a good deal of stylish features without the car looking bitty, the designers should be applauded. Originally designed by Bertone and finished with the help of Fiat’s in-house design staff, the achievement is all the more laudable for the fact that the Panda is a five-door car. It’s often the case that such small cars look great with three doors but as soon as the stylists try to cram five doors into a short body length, the cohesiveness of the lines go out of the window. Not so with the Panda. Structural solidity is the first factor in this equation and the Panda features body structures that at first cushion impact and then direct energy away from the rigid passenger compartment. It’s also the first car in this class to offer no fewer than six airbags as standard on some models. You can choose no fewer than six airbags if you wish, although driver and passenger airbags are standard on this model. Despite it’s competent all round showing, the Panda 1.1-litre Active is something of a false economy. The better performance, economy, safety provision, residual value, equipment and all round driveability of the 1.2-litre car makes it easily worth the premium charged. Try the two of them and you’ll see what we mean.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Panda 1.1-litre Active PRICE: £7,005-£7,105 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 1 CO2 EMISSIONS: 135g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 15s / Max Speed 93mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 49mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3538/1790/1540mm

CITYCAR ELEGANCE Does the top of the range 2WD Fiat Panda Eleganza have what it takes to seriously worry the Opposition? Steve Ghosley checks it out.

The European Car Of The Year accolade is a heavy responsibility to shoulder especially when the model is a basic citycar like the Fiat Panda. This type of car is built for one purpose and one alone – to transport people about town quickly, cheaply and usually with minimal creature comforts. So, it would seem that the plush Fiat Panda Eleganza we look at here runs counter to this definition.

The price of £8,805 for the Eleganza does seem a little steep at first sight but when you consider that it comes with features such as anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, a trip computer and twin front airbags, it seems fair enough. Add dual drive electric power steering, body coloured bumpers, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, alloy wheels, radio/CD player, remote central locking, climate control, a split/folding rear seat and longitudinal roof bars and it begins to look like a sound piece of business. The 1.2-litre engine featured in the Panda Eleganza is one of its greatest assets. True, 60bhp is no great shakes, but when fitted to the Panda it gives it enough go to make it a good deal more versatile than many citycar rivals. It’s almost as if the citycar sector can be subdivided into those models which you’d never contemplate taking a longer journey in and cars like the Panda that are well up to motorway cruising. Part of the reason for this is that the Panda 1.2 features a four-cylinder engine, whereas many of its rivals have to work a three-cylinder unit that much harder to keep pace. At typical motorway speeds, the engine is a little vocal but not too intrusive and wind and road noise are well suppressed. Fiat have gone to great lengths to instil a big car feel in the Panda and the amount of soundproofing pays dividends. Fiat claim the Panda is the only car in its class to have 99 per cent of its interior surface lined, and this certainly helps both the perception of quality and noise suppression. The Panda will pull from low speeds cleanly and the gearshift is probably the best in the citycar class. The clutch feels like a well-engineered item as well, being progressive in its action, making stop/go progress easy to manage. The ‘City’ button takes all the weight out of the steering system and makes three point turns an exercise in effortless wheel twirling.

"…the Eleganza model brings a touch of class as well as sophistication to the range…"

Space in the back of the Panda is a mixed bag, the car being wider and taller than many rivals but without a great deal of legroom. Still, Fiat can only do so much with a car that measures just 3.54m from nose to tail. Luggage space is surprisingly good, especially as the Eleganza comes with the added practicality of the split/fold rear seat. The hatchback is both wide and tall and there’s no intrusion from the rear light clusters although the rear wheel arches limit ultimate carrying capacity somewhat. Despite their ongoing efforts to convince us that they can build a wide and varied model range, it’s an inescapable fact that Fiat are still largely associated with tiny citycars. From the diminutive Topolino through models like the 500, Uno and Cinquecento, Fiat have proved masters at making tiny cars with enormous appeal. Originally introduced in 1980 and still produced in Italy until September 2003, the Panda has been one of Fiat’s more enduring successes, notching up over four and a half million sales. Although the Panda was last sold in the UK in 1995, it retains a strong identity and loyal customer base. Unlike some of Fiat’s recent offerings that have featured rather ‘challenging’ styling, the design of the Panda is straightforward, and appealing. It does feature a few stylish touches however, including the profile of the glazed area that arches back to a neat quarter window that in turn butts up against an enormous vertical rear light cluster. The Panda also features well-defined ‘hips’ that taper forward and integrate with the front wheelarch and headlight areas very slickly. In being able to integrate a good deal of stylish features without the car looking bitty, the designers should be applauded. Originally designed by Bertone and finished with the help of Fiat’s in-house design staff, the achievement is all the more laudable for the fact that the Panda is a five-door car. It’s often the case that such small cars look great with three doors but as soon as the stylists try to cram five doors into a short body length, the cohesiveness of the lines go out of the window. Not so with the Panda. Structural solidity is the first factor in this equation and the Panda features body structures that at first cushion impact and then direct energy away from the rigid passenger compartment. You can choose no fewer than six airbags if you wish, although driver and passenger airbags are standard on the Eleganza model. You’ll find £25,000 executive cars that will require you to tick the options box for some of these features, so to find them in an £8,000 citycar is a testament to Fiat’s commitment to safety. The Fiat Panda Eleganza is a very convincing proposition as an elegantly appointed citycar. The basic Panda was always going to be a winner, but the Eleganza model brings a touch of class as well as sophistication to the range and will probably find approval even in the more leafy postal districts of South West One.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Panda 1.2-litre Eleganza PRICES: £8,805 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 3 CO2 EMISSIONS: 133g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 14.1s / Max Speed 96mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 50mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3538/1790/1540mm

THE BEAR NECESSITIES? Few thought Fiat’s second generation Panda could live up to the legend of the original. Sometimes it’s so good to be proven wrong. Here’s the latest, updated range. Andy Enright reports

Despite their ongoing efforts to convince us that they can and do build a wide and varied model range, it’s an inescapable fact that Fiat are still largely associated with tiny city cars. From the diminutive Topolino through models like the Uno and Cinquecento, Fiat have proved masters at making tiny cars with enormous appeal. Take their Panda. Originally introduced in 1980 and still produced in Italy until September 2003, when the second generation car appeared, this has been one of Fiat’s more enduring successes, notching up over four and a half million sales. A revised version of this latest Panda hopes to continue in this vein.

The current Panda had a great start in life, picking up the European Car of The Year award upon its introduction. This was good going considering that the original range offered only a choice of 1.1 or 1.2-litre petrol power. Fiat quickly put that right however, introducing a torquey 1.3-litre multijet diesel here in early 2005, at the same time as petrol buyers also got a 4x4 option. Now the range has moved on further still, with a 1.4-litre petrol engine offered in the latest Panda 100HP flagship, and a general refreshing inside and out for the rest of the range, priced from an eminently affordable £7,005. As before, the entry-level 1.1-litre petrol engine is only for those on a really tight budget. Few will regret shelling out a few hundred pounds extra for the more powerful 60bhp 1.2-litre 8v unit which looks set to continue as the most popular engine option. The final petrol choice is that pokey 1.4-litre 100bhp powerplant, its output quite enough to give the Panda a decent turn of pace by city car standards (0-62mph in 9.5s on the way to 115mph). Also bound to remain popular is the 70bhp 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine that returns quite astonishing fuel economy figures. A tweaked exterior colour pallet and revised interior trims are about the extent of the visual changes on the latest Panda. The 100HP model, however, highlights its range-topping status more forcefully. As well as the seven-spoke alloys, there’s a chromed tailpipe and body-colouring for the door handles and mirrors. For the rest of the range, the silhouette is much as before with deep, bow-shaped side windows and blacked-out door pillars. It’s a fundamentally good, space-efficient piece of design with fully 68 per cent of the car’s length occupied by the passenger compartment – one of the largest in its class.

"The basic formula of the biggest city car in its class that’s very good to drive hasn’t dated at all"

The Panda offers a choice of no less than four different rear seating layouts. There’s a one-piece bench with two or three places, a 50:50 split option or a sliding 50:50 arrangement with rake adjustable backrests and ISOFIX attachments. This can boost total boot space by up to 30 litres if rear legroom is not a priority. Build quality is better than ever, the Panda enjoying a good reputation for rugged durability. The latest model comes in a choice of ten body colours, of which five are new and there’s a choice of eight cabin upholstery finishes. Fiat claims that the Panda is the only city car to have 99 per cent of its interior lined, setting new standards for quality and comfort. The range starts with the £7,005 1.1-litre Active, from where you can then step up to the 1.2 Dynamic. Above this are the identically-priced 1.2 Dynamic AirCon and the 1.2 Dynamic SkyDome, effectively giving customers the choice of air conditioning or a vast electric sun roof. From there, the next priciest model is the 1.3-litre MultiJet Dynamic diesel, followed by the well-specified 1.2 Eleganza. Most city car ranges would stop there but the Panda line-up finishes with some very attractive ‘boutique’ models. The 1.2-litre 4x4 even offers all-weather offroad ability, as does the Panda Cross. Finally there’s that sporty 100HP version which features a 1.4-litre engine, a six-speed gearbox, lowered suspension, all-round disc brakes and a big bagful of fun thrown in for £10,260. Equipment levels have been boosted across the Panda range and options include big car features such as smart windscreen wipers, follow me home headlamps, ESP stability control, a Hill Holder function, parking sensors, an MP3 stereo system and Bluetooth mobile phone compatibility. As you might expect, no Fiat Panda is going to demand oligarch cash reserves to run, and the model around which most of the range is built, the 1.2-litre petrol, is a case in point. This car will return an average of 50.4mpg, that figure rising to 58.9mpg on a run and sinking to 39.8mpg around town. Emissions are a relatively saintly 133g/km. With a revised injection system and lighter componentry, this engine’s fuel figures are better than its predecessor’s and refinement has been improved by measures which help quell vibration. If you really want to maximise fuel economy, the 1.3-litre MultiJet turbodiesel engine is the one to go for. On a relaxed motorway journey you might see more than 76mpg from this one, a car that uses the smallest and most advanced common rail direct injection turbodiesel in the world. Carbon dioxide emissions? A mere 114g/km. Alternatively, for another £100 model-for-model, there are ‘ECO’ versions of the 1.1 and 1.2-litre petrol models which both boast CO2 emissions of just 119g/km and significantly lower fuel consumption. Fiat didn’t have to try too hard to improve this Panda. The basic formula of the biggest city car in its class that’s very good to drive hasn’t dated at all, the latest flourishes merely underlining what a good buy this car is. Of course, there are rivals to consider, chief among which are the Peugeot 107/Citroen C1/Toyota Aygo triple pronged attack, but if you value space and fun behind the wheel, the Panda still has them aced. Though the entry-level variants more than get the job done, the three standout Panda models are the diesel, the 4x4 and the 100HP. All, in different ways, really express this car’s endearing character and make it worth stretching the budget a bit for something that’s more special than you’d expect from a tot. Expect the Panda to continue to eclipse the best the opposition can throw at it.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Panda range PRICES: £7,005-£11,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 1-5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 114-156g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.2 8v] 0-60mph 14.0s / Max Speed 96mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.2 8v] (urban) 39.8mpg / (extra urban) 58.9mpg / (combined) 50.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3538/1589/1540mm

SMALL WONDER We’ve seen an all wheel drive Panda before, but the latest one is a good deal more sophisticated than its appealing predecessor. Andy Enright reports

For most people, a bleak, windswept and snowy mountain pass at 5,000 feet above sea level isn’t their idea of a perfect holiday destination. A roaring log fire and a warming meal could alleviate this to a certain extent, but when home for the season is a Fiat Panda 4x4 and the evening’s hearty fare is a granola bar and a can of French beer that’s slowly warmed over a hexamine burner to prevent it refreezing, it takes a certain Shackletonesque spirit to see the appeal.

Being a true ski bum, my friend wasn’t residing in the latest version of Fiat’s all wheel drive Panda. This was the original square box, rescued from a breaker’s yard for £300 and which resolutely refused to die despite most of its constituent parts appearing to fly in close formation rather than be bolted securely together. This was a car that, despite being rammed by a snowplough, buried in an avalanche, and suffering a fire in the cabin caused by a combination of naked flames and excess Kronenbourg, would always start first time and never once failed to extract itself from any sticky situation. Small wonder that a whole generation of ex-owners still have a soft spot for the Fiat Panda 4x4. Reprising the theme is a tricky task. The latest Panda, while gathering rave reviews for its equipment, styling, and big car feel, has become a far more sophisticated beast than the spartan original. Can it carry off the same cheeky charm or does it attempt to woo a different sector of the market? With prices pitched at £9,995, the 4x4 version of the latest car is, when inflation is taken into account, no more expensive than the original version. It boasts a raised ride height, but Fiat have thankfully been conservative with the lifestyle addenda. It would have been easy to plaster it with bull bars, auxiliary roof lights and chromed steps, but the overall effect is subtle and just the right side of utilitarian. The market for this type of vehicle is one that’s currently been invaded by a whole slew of ‘faux-by-fours’ – those rather puzzling vehicles like the Rover Streetwise, the Citroen C2 XTR and the Volkswagen Polo Dune that look as if they’ll clamber up a hillside but boast nothing in the way of off-road aptitude, their underlying front-wheel drive mechanicals being identical to their humbler supermini siblings. Try to extricate one of these from a nine-foot deep snowdrift and you’ll need to have ticked the options box marked ‘Tow Rope and Land Rover Defender Accessory Pack’. With this Fiat, it’s a different story.

"A whole generation of ex-owners still have a soft spot for the Fiat Panda 4x4"

A viscous coupling mounted on the centre differential directs a percentage of drive to the rear tyres when the front pair start scrabbling for traction and the Panda 4x4 has a surprisingly amount of ability on low friction surfaces. There are no buttons to press or levers to pull. The four-wheel drive system cuts in when necessary and butts out when not required. The addition of a propshaft heading aft hasn’t done the Panda too many favours when it comes to interior space, although the longitudinal tie-rod rear suspension that’s been specially developed for this variant is compact. The ride height is just enough to give the Panda some genuine utility without being so extreme that adventurous drivers are tempted to push the Panda beyond its capabilities. Buyers looking to use the off road performance extensively should look at uprating the tyres to a proper crossover tyre capable of offering even more grip, albeit at the expense of on-road refinement. Equipment levels are loosely based on the Dynamic trim level in the regular Panda line up and include anti lock brakes with remote central locking, twin airbags, electric front windows and body coloured bumpers. There’s also Fiat’s Dualdrive steering which takes much of the effort out of low-speed manoeuvring, a set of roof bars, alloy wheels and front foglights thrown in. A radio/CD player and a split/folding rear seat also make living with the Panda 4x4 that little bit easier. Some diehards may see the exclusion of cooking facilities, a ski waxing bench and an inflatable mattress as glaring omissions. For those of you who require a more stylish 4x4 and a few more gadgets, the Panda Cross may be more up your street. This version retains the four-wheel drive and adds chunky side protection strips, roof bars, 15-inch alloy wheels and round light units front and rear. Inside the equipment list boasts air-conditioning, an MP3-comaptible stereo with steering wheel controls and electric power steering. It also features a different engine in the shape of a 1.3 16v Multijet turbodiesel, producing 70bhp and an impressive torque of 145Nm at just 1,500rpm. Fiat have gone to great lengths to instil a big car feel in the Panda and the amount of soundproofing pays dividends. Fiat claim the Panda is the only car in its class to have 99 per cent of its interior surface lined, and this certainly helps both the perception of quality and noise suppression. The Panda will pull from low speeds cleanly and the gearshift is probably the best in the citycar class. The clutch feels like a well-engineered item as well, being progressive in its action, making stop/go progress easy to manage. The ‘City’ button takes all the weight out of the steering system and makes three point turns an exercise in effortless wheel twirling. Fiat seem determined to prove that the latest Panda 4x4 is at least as capable as the indestructible original. Even my friend was impressed to hear that two had managed to clamber all the way up to Everest base camp at nearly 17,000 feet above sea level. Give the Panda 4x4 a decade and he’ll no doubt be in the market for one. The rest of you should be a little less circumspect.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Panda 4x4 PRICE: £9,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 133g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 18.2s / Max Speed 90mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 42.8mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3538/1790/1555mm

PANDA HOPE AND GLORY If you want to buy a great small car, buy a Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet diesel. If only all car Buying advice was this simple. By Andy Enright

Although there are some notable exceptions, the car industry is a relatively fast moving business. Recommend a car one day and it can be yesterday’s news in a matter of weeks. Certain cars, however, look to have some legs. I’ve a sneaking suspicion that the Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet diesel is one of them. If anything comes along in the next twelve months that can topple this car as a best buy in the citycar category, a healthy dose of hat will be eaten, not least of which by me.

The Panda has already mopped up the European Car of The Year 2004 award. True, this trophy has been won by such underwhelming oafs as the Talbot Horizon, the Renault 9, the Citroen XM and the Ford Granada but in recent years the panel have chosen wisely. The Panda continues this trend, and if the panel had been able to nominate any given model in the Panda range as the crème de la crème, it would surely have to be the 1.3-litre Multijet version. Not only is the £8,995 Multijet diesel the second quickest Panda you can buy, it’s also the cleanest and most economical. Naturally there’s a premium to be paid for this and the car, solely available in sporting Dynamic trim, won’t be found amongst the real bargain basement offerings in the citycar class but given that you pay for what you get, the price being asked seems fair. The Dynamic trim level features anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, a trip computer, twin front airbags, dual drive electric power steering and body coloured bumpers. The 70bhp 1.3-litre Multijet diesel offers reasonable performance with 65.7mpg average fuel consumption. Even around town you’ll see 52.3 mpg while on a longer run the Panda will return an astonishing 76.3mpg. Couple that cruising economy with a 35-litre fuel tank and the Panda has a range of up to 586 miles – amazing for such a small car. Emissions are a paltry 114g/km, making this Panda one of the cleanest cars of its ilk. The 1248cc engine is certainly a thoroughly modern one. Compact and lightweight, it boasts twin cams, 16-valves, second generation common rail injection and enough technical nous to meet Euro4 emission requirements. The usual diesel approach in engines like this one is to shoot a couple of shots a fuel into the cylinder, a pilot squirt preceding the main one. Multijet technology divides that main injection into a series of smaller shots, the idea being to reduce emissions and noise and at the same time increase performance.

"Not only is the Multijet diesel the quickest Panda, it’s also the cleanest and most economical"

Fire the thing up and it sounds a bit feeble but on the move, 145Nm of torque means that it never feels out of its depth, either in town or out on the motorway. Sixty from rest is 12.8s away, en route to an academic top speed of 99mph. As usual with decent diesels, those figures disguise the fact that where this car really excels is in mid-range pulling power. Overtaking, then, is surprisingly easy. As easy in fact as this car should be on the pocket. Fiat have gone to great lengths to instil a big car feel in the Panda and the amount of soundproofing pays dividends. Fiat claim the Panda is the only car in its class to have 99 per cent of its interior surface lined, and this certainly helps both the perception of quality and noise suppression. The Panda will pull from low speeds cleanly and the gearshift is probably the best in the citycar class. The clutch feels like a well engineered item as well, being progressive in its action, making stop/go progress easy to manage. The ‘City’ button takes all the weight out of the steering system and makes three point turns an exercise in effortless wheel twirling. The cabin is very well finished with a good deal of space but there is a caveat. If you’re over six feet tall, do not order the Panda with the optional SkyDome sunroof as it eats into headroom quite drastically. What’s more, the sunroof surround is quite pronounced and features a definite ridge that you taller occupants easily and painfully clout their heads against. Space in the back of the Panda is a mixed bag, the car being wider and taller than many rivals but without a great deal of legroom. Still, Fiat can only do so much with a car that measures just 3.54m from nose to tail. Luggage space is surprisingly good, especially if you opt for the added practicality of the optional split/fold rear seat. The hatchback is both wide and tall and there’s no intrusion from the rear light clusters although the rear wheel arches limit ultimate carrying capacity somewhat. Despite their ongoing efforts to convince us that they can build a wide and varied model range, it’s an inescapable fact that Fiat are still largely associated with tiny citycars. From the diminutive Topolino through models like the 500, Uno and Cinquecento, Fiat have proved masters at making tiny cars with enormous appeal. Originally introduced in 1980 and still produced in Italy until September 2003, the Panda has been one of Fiat’s more enduring successes, notching up over four and a half million sales. It didn’t have the easiest start to life. Originally slated to be called the Gingo, it seems Renault have done Fiat a huge favour by insisting they ditch this awful moniker because it sounded too similar to their Twingo - a car that competes for the same market share. Quite why Fiat wanted to ditch the Panda name is a little baffling as it’s still remembered by most as a car that was inexpensive, rugged and ahead of its time; qualities you’d think Fiat would like to associate their latest offering with. Structural solidity is a key strength of the latest model and the Panda features body structures that at first cushion impact and then direct energy away from the rigid passenger compartment. It’s also the first car in this class to offer no fewer than six airbags as standard on some models. You can choose no fewer than six airbags if you wish, although driver and passenger airbags are standard on all models. Even this Dynamic model is fitted with anti lock brakes, and brake assist at no extra cost. You’ll find £25,000 executive cars that will require you to tick the options box for some of these features, so to find them in a citycar is a testament to Fiat’s commitment to safety. Fiat have built an enviable reputation as purveyors of some of the finest diesel engines around. The Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet capitalises on this in a major way and with a price of just under £8,000 it looks a very good buy. It also marks something of a transition in the citycar sector. No longer are citycars limited, cramped and obviously built down to a price. If you appreciate a quality product that has some durability, try the Panda. You’ll be glad you did.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Panda 1.3-litre Multijet Diesel PRICE: £8,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 114g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.8s / Max Speed 99mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 51mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3538/1790/1540mm

THE BEAR NECESSITIES Models Covered: five door hatch 1.1, 1.2, 1.4 petrol, 1.3 diesel (Active, Dynamic, Dynamic AirCon, Dynamic SkyDome, Dynamic Sound, 100HP, Dynamic 4x4, Eleganza)

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Although it was a good deal plusher than its rather utilitarian forebear, Fiat’s 2004 generation Panda nevertheless filled a niche for those looking for inexpensive, cheeky but fun transport. Winner of the 2004 European Car of The Year award, the Panda’s image got a significant fillip and sales have been strong ever since. Used demand is similarly high so it’s unlikely you’ll find any screaming bargains. Nevertheless it’s worth shelling out a small premium for the Panda. It’s got a personality all of its own.

The second generation Panda didn’t have the easiest start to life. Originally slated to be called the Gingo, Renault did Fiat a huge favour by insisting they ditch this awful moniker because it sounded too similar to their Twingo - a car that competes for the same market share. Quite why Fiat wanted to ditch the Panda name in the first place is a little baffling as it’s still remembered by most as a car that was inexpensive, rugged and ahead of its time; qualities you’d think Fiat would have wanted for association with their citycar. Picking up the European Car of The Year award is often a poisoned chalice and there have been a long history of duffers being given this gong, but the Panda was a worthy recipient. Mind you, choice wasn’t a Panda watchword when it arrived in the UK with only 1.1 and 1.2-litre petrol powerplants on offer. Sales proved strong despite the lack of a diesel engine, a situation rectified in early 2005 when a 1.3-litre Multijet oil burner was slotted into the range. At the same time there was the return of yet another favourite – the Panda 4x4. Once a favourite of the country set, the Panda 4x4 was as close to indestructible as it’s possible for an Italian car to be and the latest model, dubbed the ‘Climbing’ on the continent, also seemed to be made of the right stuff. The 100HP Panda arrived late in 2006 packing a 1.4-litre engine making, as you may have guessed, some 100bhp.

Although the Panda was last sold in the UK in 1995, it retains a strong identity and this will help kick start sales of the latest car. Unlike some of Fiat’s recent offerings that have featured rather ‘challenging’ styling, the design of the Panda is straightforward, and appealing. It does feature a few stylish touches however, including the profile of the glazed area that arches back to a neat quarter window which in turn butts up against an enormous vertical rear light cluster. The Panda also features well-defined ‘hips’ that taper forward and integrate with the front wheelarch and headlight areas very slickly. In being able to integrate a good deal of stylish features without the car looking bitty, the designers should be applauded. Originally designed by Bertone and finished with the help of Fiat’s in-house design staff, the achievement is all the more laudable for the fact that the Panda is a five-door car. It’s often the case that such small cars look great with three doors but as soon as the stylists try to cram five doors into a short body length, the cohesiveness of the lines go out of the window. Not so with the Panda. The interior design is clearly Fiat, with a high mounted gear lever and a no frills look to the fascia. Although it’s obviously built down to a price, like its predecessor this becomes an integral part of the car’s charm. Unlike the original Panda, however, you’re not in the lap of the Gods if the worst comes to the worst. The current Panda might have shaved a few Euros off the production costs when specifying materials and luxury appointments but Fiat have responsibly insisted that the car is fitted with a decent complement of safety kit. Structural solidity is the first factor in this equation and the Panda features body structures that at first cushion impact and then direct energy away from the rigid passenger compartment. It’s also the first car in this class to offer no fewer than six airbags as standard on some models. You can choose no fewer than six airbags if you wish, although driver and passenger airbags are standard on all models. Even the 1.2-litre Dynamic model is fitted with anti lock brakes, and brake assist at no extra cost. You’ll find £25,000 executive cars that will require you to tick the options box for some of these features, so to find them in a budget citycar is a testament to Fiat’s commitment to safety.

Prices start from about £3,80 for the entry-level 1.1-litre Active on a 53-plate. You’ll need to shell out another £300 or so to land the Dynamic 1.2 and the same again if you want your Dynamic fitted with the Dualogic gearbox. A top specification 1.2-litre Dualogic Eleganza opens at £4,900 on a 2004 53 plate. The 1.3-litre Multijet Dynamic is the most satisfying model in the line up and would be the one we’d seek out first, although used examples are that little bit rarer.

Although some of the internal plastics feel a little insubstantial, the Panda has thus far proved relatively reliable. The engines are largely tried and tested Fiat units that aren’t in a particularly high state of tune. Check for off-road damage on the 4x4 and for parking knocks and scrapes on the others. Some owners have reported faulty distributor caps but these should all have been replaced under warranty by now.

(approx based on a Panda 1.2 inc VAT) An alternator is around £85, front brake pads are around £35 for a set, a rear exhaust section should be about £65 and a headlamp is around £70. Expect to pay around £7 for an air filter and about £15 for a fuel filter, about £6 for an oil filter and about £4 for spark plugs.

The 1.1-litre car is not only a fair amount slower than the 1.2-litre model but it’s also dirtier and less economical. What price do you put on safety? The 1.1-litre car does without the Dynamic’s anti lock brakes with brake assist and you may well rue the consequences of your economy on a typically icy British December morning. It’s rare that we go out of our way to dissuade you from a given product and taken in isolation, the Panda 1.1-litre Active is a very competent product, but give Fiat a few extra pounds and you’ll be rewarded with a far superior car in the shape of the 1.2-litre Dynamic. Only the most cash-strapped should consider the 1.1-litre model and even then an ex-demonstrator 1.2-litre car would be a more desirable proposition. The 70bhp 1.3-litre Multijet diesel offers reasonable performance with 65.7mpg average fuel consumption. Even around town, you’ll see 52.3 mpg while on a longer run the Panda will return an astonishing 76.3mpg. Couple that cruising economy with a 35-litre fuel tank and the Panda has a range of up to 586 miles – amazing for such a small car. Emissions are a paltry 114g/km, making this Panda one of the cleanest cars of its ilk. Whichever Panda you opt for, Fiat have gone to great lengths to instil a big car feel in the Panda and the amount of soundproofing pays dividends. Fiat claim the Panda is the only car in its class to have 99 per cent of its interior surface lined, and this certainly helps both the perception of quality and noise suppression. The Panda will pull from low speeds cleanly and the gearshift is probably the best in the citycar class. The clutch feels like a well engineered item as well, being progressive in its action, making stop/go progress easy to manage. The ‘City’ button takes all the weight out of the steering system and makes three point turns an exercise in effortless wheel twirling.

The Fiat Panda is undoubtedly one of the better citycar purchases out there and one of the few urban tots that possess a big car feel. The 1.3-litre diesel and the 4x4 are the picks of the bunch, but find any well looked after car with all of the service stamps and you shouldn’t be disappointed.