Fiat Panda: 30 years of history

In 1980, at the Geneva Motor Show the Fiat Panda was presented for the first time. In 2010 this vehicle is celebrating its 30 years of existence with a record of 6 million units produced, which according to Fiat establishes it as the most widely sold city-car.

The Panda was presented as a new concept and a new way to see the daily relationship with car: more immediate, more natural, and easier.

In 2003 a new Panda model was launched, following the footsteps of the best-seller from Fiat. The new model received a modern look but kept the concept behind the original Panda. Since its launch the Panda became the leader in its segment, with a production of 1.5 million units and 300.000 cars sold in 2009.

The new Fiat Panda saw his commercial success rewarded with the prestigious “Car of the Year 2004” award, in the first time a car in this segment received it. Throughout its thirty years of history it established some records. In 1986 it became the first spacious compact to feature a diesel engine and it was also the first in the segment offer both four-wheel drive (1983) and a range of eco-friendly engines (Panda Elettra in 1990). Two Panda 4x4 also entered the records as in 2004 they became the first little off-road vehicle to have ever reached Everest’s high tech base camp at an altitude of 5.200 metres.

Recently the Fiat Panda has received a makeover and received a new range of engines that include both traditional (petrol and diesel, from 54 to 100 HP) and alternative engines (methane and LPG), combined with manual or robotised, sequential gearboxes (Dualogic), as well as versions with front-wheel or four-wheel drive.