Size Matters - Small Is Best
Published: 5th February 2005
Fiat Panda
- 4x4 Panda added to the UK model line up
- Diesel-power 2WD model also joins the Panda family
The anti 4x4 brigade currently marauding the streets of major cities putting windscreen stickers on 4x4 vehicles no longer have a soapbox to stand on as far as Fiat are concerned.
The latest addition to the Fiat range is a four-wheel drive version of their multi-award winning European Car of the Year 2004, the compact Panda.
If there is going to be a backlash against 4x4 vehicles due to the recent publicity campaign against large SUVs, the new Fiat Panda 4x4 launched in the UK on 5 February could be an alternative purchase.
Around 10,000 units of mini sized five-door Panda will be sold in the UK this year with at least 1,000 of this total being made up of the new 4x4 model say Fiat Auto UK.
Roland Ellison, Fiat’s UK Product Manager said, "We estimate we will sell at least 1,000 of these new models but the factory will build whatever numbers we want. I would like to think we could sell double that amount"
Ellison added, " We have two target audiences, the rural market where 4x4 practicality is important and the urban market where style is the main priority. Currently UK Panda owners are in the 40-60 year age bracket with a slight female and urban use bias. We have been surprised that we have sold more new Panda models to people where the vehicle is used as the ‘first’ car rather than the expected ‘second’ car".
"Because of its urban chic chunky styling which gives the Panda 4x4 road presence, the elevated driving position with interior space and flexible practicality and its 4x4 status, we think this new model will attract younger buyers both male and female," said Ellison.
Priced at £9,195 on the road, the five-door Panda 4x4 is £1,000 more expensive than the previous top of the range 1.2 Eleqanza two-wheel drive model. It is fitted with the same Euro IV compliant, 60 hp, 8-valve petrol engine mated with a 5-speed manual transmission with permanent four-wheel drive. In normal road condition 98 per cent of the drive is through the front wheels but this changes automatically with the variable torque transmission to a maximum 50-50 front to rear wheel drive in adverse on and off road conditions.
The suspension has been toughened and stiffened and under body protection plates are fitted. The Panda 4x4 has electrically operated front side windows, remote central locking, twin front airbags, stereo radio/CD, anti-lock braking, alloy road wheels, foglights, roofbars and body styling kit.
Fiat first launched a Panda 4x4 model in 1983 and this was the industry’s first production, transverse engined small car to be fitted with a four-wheel drivetrain.
Fiat has also added a diesel-powered model to the Panda range, the 1.3-litre, 16v, MultiJet Dynamic priced at £7,895. Fiat claims this 70bhp Euro IV compliant engine is the smallest and most advanced common rail direct injection engine in the world. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 65.7mpg. Due to its very low 114 g/km emissions the annual car tax bill is £85.
There are no plans to introduce a diesel powered 4x4 Panda model to the range in the UK say Fiat Auto although left hand drive countries will receive this version in October.
Fiat Panda
Our Fiat Panda Guide lists the full specification of the current UK Panda range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £7,005 - £11,995
Body Style:
Fuel:
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Models in the range: 10
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 28th Nov 2008
