No word on Australian plans, but the all-new Fiat Panda compact – one of the biggest-selling cars in Europe – is set for unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
But the significance for Australian Fiat fans is the all-new Panda is also the platform for the all-new Fiat 500 (currently priced from $24,990 and possibly the cutest car sold in Australia).
Despite its compact dimensions, Panda has been a major success for Fiat – European Car Of The Year (2004), first compact car with all-wheel-drive (1983), first compact with a diesel engine (1986) and one of the first electric cars on the market (1990).
The new third-generation Fiat Panda is slightly larger than its predecessor at 3.65-metres in length – Fiat says the growth was necessary to meet new safety requirements and also to ensure a five-person capacity.
Looks are more rounded while inside the appointments and trim quality are more up-market.
Fiat will launch the all-new Panda with a choice of three petrol engines – two TwinAir, twin-cylinders (64kW or 49kW) or a 51kW, 1.2-litre four-cylinder. A 57kW, 1.3-litre turbo-diesel will arrive later.
Launch models will be exclusively front-wheel-drive with all-wheel-drive Fiat Panda variants scheduled for 2012.
Amongst the inclusions is ‘Blue&Me-TomTom Live which combines mobile phones with portable satellite navigation – all plugged into the dashboard for hands-free operation
