The 2012 version of James May’s favorite car, Fiat Panda has been unveiled ahead of its official IAA debut.
Those familiar with the old Panda immediately recognize the new model has a more rounded front-end with puppy dog eyes and a wide mouth. It looks like a bit of simpleton, as if it’s baffled by something!
apart form the looks, the new Panda is as great in practicality and functionality as its predecessor, if not better. It is still fairly compact with a length of 365 centimetres, a width of 164 and a height of 155, offers decent interior space for its size with lots of cubbyholes, pockets and storage spaces, and is now better made than ever. After all Fiat has been making small cars for decades. They know a thing or two about it.
2012 Fiat Panda will be offered iwth the firm’s award-winning two-cylinder engines: the 85 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo and 65 HP 0.9 Aspirated TwinAir, both equipped with the Start&Stop system as standard. The other petrol unit is the 69 HP 1.2 Fire. As for the diesels you get the advanced 75 HP 1.3 Multijet II with Start&Stop.
Later on fiat will also offer the bifuel 80 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo Natural Power (petrol/methane) and 69 HP 1.2 EasyPower (petrol/LPG) for the Panda as well. Gear Shift Indicator (GSI) is another fuel saving feature for the new car.
The automatic Dualogic robotised transmission, in combination with the TwinAir engine, will become available after the launch. In addition, during the first year of sales, an innovative braking system will also become available which, at speeds below 30km/h, is able to detect obstacles at close range and stop automatically.
Fiat says the enw Panda can fit in every lifestyle, and here’s the proof for it: At its launch, the new model will be available with front-wheel drive – and later the Panda 4×4 will make its debut – and will offer a range made up of: 4 engines, 3 trim levels, 10 body colours, 4 interiors, 2 hub caps and 2 14? and 15? alloy wheels for a total of over 600 combinations.
It is also very well equipped and feature-rich with stuff like brand new “Blue&Me-TomTom LIVE” and the large transparent electric “Skydome” sun roof to the Hi-Fi system with CD/MP3 player and Dualdrive electric power steering with “City” function as standard.
To ensure the safety of the driver and passengers, the new model has 4 airbags (front and window), ABS complete with BAS (Brake Assist System), front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiter, Isofix attachments for child seats, anti-whiplash front headrests, rear headrests and headlamps with Daytime Running Lights, all supplied as standard.
Pricing and availability will be announced later. Production of the 2012 Fiat Panda beings in late 2011.
