THE main improvement with the up-coming new Fiat Panda will be more interior space.
A fresh, more curvy look is still close enough to the old car for most people to know it’s a Panda, especially since it still has the upright stance.
But it’s longer and wider and this should give passengers more space – especially in the back.
The petrol engines will echo those in the 500, starting with the 0.9-litre 84bhp TwinAir turbo, and the 68bhp 1.2.
There will also be new 64bhp TwinAir option and diesel will be represented by Fiat’s excellent 1.3 turbo with about 74bhp.
An automatic will be introduced later for the TwinAir engines and all apart from the 1.2 petrol will have start/stop as standard.
Safety is excellent for a small car, with four airbags, ISOFIX child-seat attachments and anti-whiplash head restraints.
Fiat’s Blue&Me system for hands-free phone and an MP3 connection are also standard.
Interior
Thinner seat backs help with better rear seat leg and knee room, and the cabin has touches from the 500 design book.
The new Panda will go on sale in the Spring and prices should start at about £8,500.
FAST FACTS
Fiat Panda
(Most figures estimates)
Price: £8,500
Mechanical: 68bhp, 1,242cc, 4 cylinder petrol driving the front wheels via a 5 speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 100mph
0-62mph: 15 seconds
Combined mpg: 50-plus
Insurance group: 3
CO2 emissions: under 120g/km
BiK rating: N/A
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles
Marks: 9/10
Main Rival: Skoda Fabia Estate