New Fiat Panda announced
Wednesday 31 August 2011
• On sale Spring 2012
• TwinAir petrol engines with 65 or 85bhp
• Diesel MultiJet engine with 75bhp
September’s Frankfurt Motor Show will see the unveiling of an all-new Fiat Panda hatchback.
When it arrives in 2012 it will supersede the popular Panda released in 2004, which won the prestigious Car of the Year award in the same year.
The new car has grown only slightly, but its upright stance allows it to accommodate five people and gives it one of the largest luggage areas in the class.
Two TwinAir petrol engines will be available, with either 65 or 85bhp, fitted with stop and start technology as standard. A 1.2-litre with 69bhp rounds off the petrol line-up. There will also be a 1.3-litre diesel motor with 75bhp, also fitted with stop and start.
A softer exterior design and new grille brings the Panda closer to the look of the Fiat range. The interior will take a step-up in quality and feature Blue&Me, Fiat’s infotainment system incorporating sat-nav, Bluetooth and media player connectivity.
Safety has been a top priority and the Panda is fitted with four airbags as standard, anti-lock braking, anti-whiplash front head restraints, ISOFIX child seat attachments and standard daytime running lights.
By Andy Goodwin, senior web journalist