NEW FIAT PANDA MAKES INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC DEBUT AT FRANKFURT

Published Date: 05 September 2011

Fiat will be unveiling its new Panda at the forthcoming Franfurt Motor Show in mid-September.

The new arrival, which will go on sale in the UK next spring, is  a consistent evolution of a highly successful city car that has always been a by-word for functional design, manoeuvrability, space, reliability and comfort.

While the new Panda still remains true to its compact design brief, it has 'grown' by just a few centrimetres to ensure the attainment of the highest safety standards, and improve the generous level of passenger and luggage space still further. The new Panda can comfortably accommodate upto five people and is equipped with one of the largest luggage compartments in its segment.

Panda was the first car in its market segment to win the presigious Car of the Year award. It was the first compact to feature a diesel engine and it was the first to offer both four-wheel drive and a range of eco-friendly engines designed to limit fuel consumption.

Now in its third generation, new Panda has taken another major step forward in terms of comfort, technology and safety equipment, making its first public appearance with a modern and harmonious new style but without relinquishing the essential family feeling that has so characterised the marque over the years.

The new engine range emphasises new Panda's cutting edge technology. Customers will be able to choose from two twinAir cylinder engines, the international Engine of the Year 2011 85bhp TwinAir Turbo, or the brand new 65bhp naturally aspirated TwinAir, both equipped with Start and Stop as standard. A state-of-the-art turbodiesel 75bhp 1.3 litre Multijet 2 engine, also with start and stop as standard will also be offered. In harmony with its eco-friendly spirit, new Panda also offers a Gearshift Indicator, which helps drivers use the engine more efficiently thus reducing fuel consumption.

As always safety has been a priority in the new design and new Panda comes with four airbags, ABS anti-lock braking with a brake assist system, front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, Isofix attachmemts for child seats, anit-whiplash front head restraints, rear headrests and Daytime Running Lights - all as standard.

In addition to all this, new Panda has been engineered to accept Blue & Me - Tom Tom LIVE, which allows customers to use mobile phones and media players in complete safety, without ever having to remove their hands from the steering wheel, while providing a unique and distinctive navigational experience built into the dashboard offering the most accurate traffic information updated in real time.

Published Date: 05 September 2011