The New Fiat Panda Officially Unveiled Before Frankfurt Debut

Fiat has released the first details about the upcoming Fiat Panda, which is scheduled to make its world debut in about two weeks, at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Italian carmaker is very proud of its new creation saying that it features a modern look, more interior space and represents a large step forward in what concerns build quality, compared to the current generation. And Fiat wants to continue the Panda’s success story started 31 years ago which made more than 6.5 million people buy it over the years.

The new Fiat Panda will be offered only in a five door body type, because the two door market is already covered by the Fiat 500 and it will offer more passenger and luggage space. This is possible thanks to the car’s larger dimensions and to the folding backseat which can be adjusted in several positions to increase either passenger or luggage space. Also, to load large objects, the front passenger’s seat can be folded, creating a flat surface from the back to the front of the car.

The dashboard was also completely redesigned and the same retro theme from the Fiat 500 was used. Another similarity to the Fiat are the better materials used, the new Panda being available at launch in three different trim versions, ten body paint choices, four interior trim levels, two wheel cover options and two wheel models. According to the Fiat press release, there are around 600 total combinations available for customers to choose from. As standard, the new Panda will come with four airbags, ABS with Brake Assist, ISOFIX seats, daytime running lights and the steering with City mode, plus several other features that were only offered as an option for the current model. As for the optional list, customers will be able to order features like the Skydome glass roof, the new “Blue&Me -TomTom LIVE” navigation and a new hi-fi sound system.

According to the press release, the new Fiat Panda will be powered by three petrol engines, the 0.9-liter available in two versions, the 65-hp naturally aspirated and the 85-hp TwinAir turbo unit and a 69 hp 1.2-liter engine. For diesel fans, there will also be an option, the 1.3-liter Multijet engine delivering 75 hp and featuring a Start/Stop as standard. And this is not all, because Fiat also plans two more fuel efficient units, a gasoline/methane gas version of the TwinAir engine and a gasoline/LPG version of the 1.2-liter engine. And we might also see a Panda Abarth soon, powered by an upgraded version of the 1.2-liter unit, delivering around 100 hp.

After the new Fiat Panda makes its world debut in Frankfurt, production will start in November at the Alfa Romeo facility in Naples, which has just been modernized, and the first units will probably be delivered in early 2012, with starting prices to be announced closer to launch date.


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