At next month’s Paris Motor Show, Fiat will take the wraps from its all-new Panda 4x4 – claimed to be the world’s only A-segment (mini) SUV.
The third-generation Panda will be powered by a choice of 63 kW 0.9-litre TwinAir Turbo and 55kW 1.3-litre engines. Drive is ‘torque-on-demand’ with two electronic differentials.
Suspension is a McPherson strut front and semi-trailing arm rear.
It’s certainly compact – the five-door Fiat Panda 4x4 is just 368cms long, 167cms wide and 160cms high – but looks tough and runs underbody protection for off-road capability.
Inside the cloth/leather interior presents a colourful look, including a new green-hue instrument surround.
Local Fiat and Alfa Romeo distribution is now handled by the Chrysler Group and Australian CEO Clyde Campbell says all future right-hand-drive products from both brands are under consideration for our market…so there may be a future for this slick compact SUV ‘Downunder’.
