Fiat extends Panda range

20 September 2004

Fiat will boost its Panda city car range with 70bhp 1.3-litre diesel and a 4x4 version of the five-door hatch in January 2005.

Panda 4x4 on sale early in 2005

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The diesel has been on sale on the continent for some time and will cost from around £8500 in the UK. The 16-valve engine makes this the fastest and most economical Panda.

The dash to 60mph is cut by a second over the 60bhp 1.2-litre petrol to 13 seconds, while combined fuel consumption also improves by 15.3mpg to 65.7mpg on the combined cycle. Top speed is up 3mph to 99mph, while low emissions mean it remains in the lowest 15% company car tax band.

The 4x4 Panda features raised and reworked suspension and a full-time four-wheel drive system, so it isn’t like the Rover Streetwise or Citroen C3 XTR which look like 4x4s but are front-wheel drive only. It’s tipped to go on sale for £9000 with the 60bhp 1.2-litre petrol in Dynamic trim.

Under normal conditions, the 4x4 sends 98% of its power to the front wheels. If the system detect any slippage, power is progressively redirected to the rear wheels to maintain as much traction as possible.

The taller ride height and a weight increase of 100kg does have an impact on performance figures, however.

The 4x4 is six seconds slower over the 0-60mph dash, covering it in 20 seconds, while top speed also drops 6mph to 90mph. Combined fuel consumption worsens by 7.6mpg to 42.8mpg while higher emissions push the car up two company car tax bands into the 17% bracket.

A chunky body kit for the 4x4 will be available later in the year while the 1.3-litre diesel will eventually be offered. Fiat is also developing a larger off-roader with Suzuki and will launch the car in the spring of 2006.