Fiat Panda (Italy, 2011-present)

The first generation Fiat Panda was made for 23 years. The second generation made it for 8 years. IN August 2011, Fiat announced the debut of the third generation Panda at the Frankfurt Motor Show featuring a slightly larger, redesigned body and double the engine options. 

Panda is Fiat's bread and butter people's car and needs to be inexpensive and versatile. The Panda has grown slightly for its new generation. The third generation is about 100mm longer, about 60mm wider and about 20mm shorter. 

The front end is totally new with a higher, blunter nose and headlights set higher. The sides are an evolution of the previous Panda retaining the smaller third window in the back, but it is better integrated into the total styling and sculpted into the tail lights. The tail lights now just use the area adjacent to the rear glass. You can still see the old Panda in the new generation, but it has been pleasantly modernized. 

The interior sees a major upgrade thanks to contrasting details that make it look more light and airy. The instrument panel is also significantly better. It does away with the previous single, large group of gauges for two pods containing the speedometer and tachometer with an information display in the middle. All around it looks like a much better place to spend your driving time. 

Fiat offers the Blue&Me TomTom Live device that combines navigation, Bluetooth and infotainment into one portable unit. 

The other major news for the third-gen Panda is the large range of engines doubling what was previously available. The three versions of Fiat's 900cc Twinair engine are new for the Panda. Initially, only the Twinair Turbo making 85hp and the normally aspirated version making 65hp are available. Later, Fiat introduces the Twinair Turbo Natural Power that makes 80hp and can be fueled with either petrol or methane. The Panda continues to be available with the 1.2 liter engine making 69hp and a version of the engine that can be fueled with either petrol or natural gas comes later. Finally, the 1.3 liter diesel is also still available making 75hp.

Production of the third generation Panda began in the fourth quarter of 2011.

 A year after the third generation's world premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt, Fiat presented two new variants of the Panda. At the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the Italian manufacturer celebrated, alongside the Panda 4x4, another world premiere for the third generation of the subcompact car, the Panda Natural Power.

Fiat Panda is the world's first car that is equipped with a two-cylinder turbo engine for natural gas and gasoline.

Equipped with the newly developed, 80 hp two-cylinder 0.9 TwinAir Turbo Natural Power engine, the new Panda offers CO2 emissions of 86 g/km and a fuel consumption of 3.1 kg/100 km in the combined cycle. Both values refer to dribving in natural gas mode. The range is increased compared to the Classic Panda 1.4 Natural Power by 10 percent and the fuel tank corresponds with 35 liters approximately to that of the normal gasoline version.

The boot capacity remained with 200 liters virtually unchanged, compared to petrol and diesel variants of the Fiat Panda. The gas tanks have a capacity of approximately 12 kg (equivalent to 72 liters).

The two fuel supply systems (gas and petrol) function independently: the vehicle normally runs on natural gas, so that only for starting the engine, gasoline is required. The car then switches automatically to the other system. Fuel supply is required only if the gas in the tank is running low. However, it is always possible to switch between CNG and gasoline mode, by the push of a button.

In 2012, Fiat jumped into the compact SUV market with the new Panda 4X4 that debuted at the Paris Motor Show on September 27, 2012.

The Panda 4X4 is obviously based on the third generation Panda and shares the same basic dimensions. To set the car apart other than its taller ride height, Fiat added new front and rear bumpers with aluminum trim and underbody protection. Fiat also added two new body colors to the range: Sicilia Orange and Toscana Green.

The interior is also based on the standard Panda but with new green instrument trim. It is available in three colors green, beige or orange. Fiat also added more storage pockets to the interior. 

The Panda 4X4 uses an all-wheel drive system with an electronic locking differential. It views the signals from the road and distributes traction as necessary. Fiat says that the system requires no maintenance. The system can be forced to send power to all wheels below 50km/h by pressing a button behind the gear lever. Fiat has also lightened the rear suspension over the previous generation for better ride and less interior noise. 

The crossover is available with two engines at release, and both have start/stop. The 900cc TwinAir Turbo with 85hp and 1.3-liter MultiJet II 75hp diesel are the engine options. Both use a six-speed transmission. 
 

Fiat chose the Geneva stage to present the world debut of the top-of-the-range Panda Cross. The new car offers exclusive, comprehensive equipment for the safety of occupants and maximum well-being on board combined with a unique style.

The Panda Cross is a SUV developed for an easy handle in city traffic but has the spirit and equipment typical of a 4×4 SUVFiat Panda 4x4 0.9 TwinAi...Italy, 2012 > present4 photos
, as demonstrated by the adoption as standard of both the 'Torque on demand' transmission system and the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system complete with ELD (Electronic Locking Differential) function. This provides additional assistance while driving and setting off on slippery terrain.

The Panda Cross also offers a selector so the driver can choose the best use of the AWD based on the driving conditions. The 'Terrain Control' lets the driver select three different modes: Auto, Lock and Hill Descent.

The Auto mode features automatic distribution of drive between the two axles depending on the grip of the road surface. The Lock has the four-wheel drive always active with distribution of torque, wheel braking when losing grip, and transfer of drive to those with the most grip. Finally, the Hill Descent mode is used for optimum handling of particularly steep hill descents or when going down extremely bumpy routes.

Design

The Panda Cross was designed to make it immediately recognisable and distinctive, with a stylistic language typical of an SUV. It features a brand-new front bumper, which boasts a generous skid plate in a satin titanium colour with a design of holes. Tow hooks with an immediately recognisable new design in a brilliant red place emphasis on its off-road character. The light clusters are also new, with the headlights and new fog lights integrated with the logo holder bonnet trim, and new daytime running lights with LED technology, built into the skid plate.

From the side, the new wheel arches, mouldings with 'Cross' badge and the new roof bars stand out. The 15in alloy wheels sport a 5-spoke V design and a burnished metal finish. The rear end is characterised by a new bumper with under-body protection with the same design and finish of the front skid plate. It also gets new light cluster and chrome tail pipe.

The passenger compartment offers specific fabric trim, leather-lined steering wheel and gear knob and distinctive trim for the dashboard. The standard equipment includes automatic climate control, radio CD/MP3 with Blue&Me system with steering wheel controls, special 15in alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, height-adjustable driver's seat and 'All Seasons' 185/65R15 tyres. City Brake Control will be availble as an optional.

Two engine versions are available, both with Start&Stop standard and boasting higher performance than the versions on the Panda 4x4: the 80hp 1.3 MultiJet II turbodiesel and the 90hp 0.9 TwinAir Turbo petrol.