Top in Automotive: Fiat Panda

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Panda Monster Truck was Built by Fiat on a Jeep Floor to Star in a New TV Spot [w/Video]

Monday, December 10, 2012

Earlier this month, CarScoop reader Tommaso A. shared with us a handful of pictures and a video of a monster truck version of the latest Fiat Panda 4x4 that he spotted in Italy. At the time, we had no information regarding the build, but Fiat has now shed some light to the project.

As it turns out, the monster Panda prototype was created by Fiat itself in collaboration with Mercurio Cinematografica, set designer Andrea Faini and the Fabio Gementi Workshop, for an upcoming television spot that will air in Europe in the beginning of 2013.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

After China, the Fiat Group is eyeing another major emerging market to launch its Jeep brand, that of India. The Italian carmaker's Indian arm, Fiat Group Automobiles India Private Limited (FGAIPL), announced on Thursday that the Jeep brand will be introduced in the country towards the end of 2013. Read more »

Someone Created a Monster Out of a New 2013 Fiat Panda 4x4

Saturday, December 1, 2012

We haven't had the opportunity to drive the new 2013 Fiat Panda 4x4, yet – we have, however, tried out the previous generation model and it was surprisingly capable off the road, but something tells us that this here custom project discovered by CarScoop reader Tommaso in Italy, is way, way better.

"Yesterday I saw this Fiat. I don't know what is it, but I like it so much!" Tomasso told us. "It's a Panda with really big wheels. It's strange because it seems a brand new one! Have you ever seen something like this? Do you know something about?"

Monday, October 29, 2012

Until Fiat's Abarth division performs its magic on the latest generation of the Panda, those looking for a sportier flavored version of the Italian city car will just have to do with whatever the independent tuning industry has to offer them.

In the case of German tuning brand Novitec, there are plenty of goods out on the table to improve both the styling and to some degree, the performance aspects of the Panda.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

With Europe's economies currently in the doldrums, Fiat's move to expand its Panda range with two affordable crossover-like models in the A-segment, the Panda 4x4 and Panda Trekking, couldn't have come at a better time for the struggling automaker as many consumers are changing their preferences to smaller, cheaper and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Fiat describes the new Panda 4x4 as the "only genuine 'pocket' 4x4 car" in the European market and a "Jack of all trades" capable of tackling "mountain mule tracks and the urban jungle" with the same ease.

The Panda 4x4 rides on a jacked up suspension that offers a higher ground clearance over the regular 2WD model, while rolling on 15-inch wheels wrapped in 175/65 R15 84T M+S tires developed specifically for this model.

It gets permanent all-wheel drive that is managed through a "Torque on demand" system with two differentials and electronically controlled coupling, while also featuring an ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system with ELD (Electronic Locking Differential) function as standard.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

The big news for Fiat at the 2012 Mondial de l'Automobile was the world premiere of three new additions to the Panda range, namely the 4x4, Trekking and Natural Power models.

And they weren't along as the cars were joined at the presentation by Miss Italia 2012, 19-year old Giusy Buscemi from Sicily. In case you wondering why, Fiat happens to be one of the official sponsors of the Miss Italia pageant with the latest generation of the Panda being the official car of the event.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

There is a new small crossover in town and it's named the 2013 Fiat Panda 4x4. It was revealed today ahead of a world premiere at forthcoming international Paris Motor Show in late September.

Billed as the only four-wheel drive car in the A-segment, the Panda 4x4 is the latest generation of a model series that spans back almost 30 years.

Based on the regular five-door Panda tall hatchback, the 4x4 is 3,680mm long, 1,670mm wide and 1,600mm tall. It rides on a 2,300mm wheelbase and has a front track of 1,410mm and a rear track of 1,400mm.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Given that, not all professionals need a van as capacious as a Ducato or a Ford Transit to do their work, ever since the first generation of the Panda, Fiat has offered a van variant of its city car model.

After the release of the regular versions of the new Panda in Europe earlier this year, Fiat Professional has introduced a van model of the Italian city car, which is offered in two flavors, with or without the rear seat bench.

Monday, June 25, 2012

That Fiat was planning to expand the range of its latest Panda city car with an all-wheel drive, crossover version is something we not only knew from the moment the Italian automaker presented the regular model at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, but had also spied this past winter.

And while the scoop photos of the camouflaged prototype gave us a rough look at the next Panda 4x4, we now got our hands on some revealing patent drawings that provide a meticulous view of the styling changes.

The images show that the Panda 4x4 will stand taller than the regular model thanks to an increased suspension travel.

There are also plastic mouldings running around the wheel arches and the lower parts of the body, plus newly designed front and rear bumpers that house silver-colored skid plates, and new front fog lamp housings.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Adding to the Fiat Group's long list of troubles in Europe is the prolonged vehicle transporter strike in Italy. The company issued a statement today saying that it will temporarily suspend production at two plants in the country.

These include the Cassino plant (from March 27 to 29) and the Giambattista Vico plant in Pomigliano d'Arco (from March 26 to 27), where the all-important new Panda (currently being launched across Europe) is produced.

"The vehicle transporter strike involving only a minority of drivers' associations, which has now been in effect for more than a month, is causing major disruption for the automotive sector in Italy," Fiat said in a statement.

Monday, March 5, 2012

The Chevrolet Volt and its sister model, the Ampera, which is sold as under both the Opel and Vauxhall nameplates, have won the 2012 European Car of the Year (COTY) Award with 330 points.

Coming into second place was the Volkswagen Up! city car with 281 points while the new generation of the Ford Focus finished third with 256 points.

The other cars that made it to the final round of the competition were the Range Rover Evoque (186 points), Fiat Panda (156 points), Citroen DS5 (144 points) and the Toyota Yaris (122 points).

The competition brought together votes from 59 automotive journalists in 23 European countries.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

One of the Fiat Group's most important new cars of 2012 has arrived in the UK. The first deliveries of the third generation Fiat Panda will begin at the end of this month with on-the-road prices starting from £8,900 for the base petrol model rising to £12,250 for the top-of-the-range diesel variant.

The new Panda is available at launch with a choice of three Euro 5-specification engines including a 69bhp 1.2-litre petrol, an 85bhp 0.9-litre TwinAir turbocharged two-cylinder petrol, and a 75bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet 2 turbodiesel.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Since the first generation of the Panda, Fiat has always offered four-wheel drive versions of its popular city car and this is not going to change with the newest iteration of the model that was unveiled at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Spied here during cold weather testing in Europe, is a prototype of the third generation Panda 4x4, which is expected to join the range towards the end of the year or in early 2013.

The new Panda 4x4 will use a similar all-wheel drive setup with its predecessor featuring a hydraulic clutch in front of the rear differential. Engine choices are believed to include both diesel and petrol units.

Aside from the all-wheel drive system, Fiat's engineers will make changes to the suspension that will be strengthened and raised appropriately, as well as to the steering system.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Fiat has aired a new commercial for its third generation Panda city car in its home market titled "This is the Italy we like", which uses a similar (but not identical) theme to the super successful and ongoing "Imported in Detroit" campaign from its Chrysler partner.

Only this time, the promo film focuses on the Italian origins of the Panda, the latest version of which is produced at the Fiat Group's renewed Pomigliano d'Arco Plant, near Naples, and also calls upon Italians to change the views imposed by others and show the world who they are and what they are capable of creating.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

We have already seen the 2012 Fiat Panda at its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show this past September, but the Italian brand has just dropped a massive gallery comprising of more than 170 high-resolution photos, some of which are quite picturesque.

To refresh your memory, this is just the third iteration of the Panda in the model's 31-year history. It's predecessor were extremely successful and popular throughout Europe having sold some 6.5 million units over the past three decades.

Fiat hopes to build on the success of the Panda's predecessors with the new model, which is available exclusively with five doors and comes with a slightly larger body that measures 3,650 mm long, 1,640 mm wide and 1,550 mm tall for improved passenger space.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The results are in for Euro NCAP’s fifth and last launch of 2011. A total of 14 cars were tested including two Chinese newcomers, the MG6 and the Geely Emgrand EC7, both of which achieved a four star rating, proving that at least some Chinese brands are starting to take safety seriously.

Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General commented: "These results mark a milestone for the Chinese automotive industry. It is a clear sign that Chinese car makers are building on recent experiences and rapidly investing in better vehicle safety. Even with the upcoming increased demands, five stars are expected to be within reach soon."

Four more vehicles that are new were given a four-star rating, including the Fiat Panda, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jaguar XF and the EV Renault Fluence ZE.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The most important debut from a sales point of view for the Fiat Group at the Frankfurt Motor Show is the brand-new, third generation Fiat Panda city car. With more than 6.5 million sales spread over two generations and 31 years, the Panda is one of Fiat's most successful models.

The 2012 Panda has been completely renewed and comes with a larger body, fresh looks, improved versatility and a new range of engines.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Replacing a car with a 31-year long history is never an easy task. Especially if it has become one of Fiat's most successful city cars offering ample interior space and practicality for its size.

The first generation of the model introduced in 1980, was the first city car to offer a diesel engine (1986), four-wheel drive (1983) and one of the first electric variants (the Elettra in 1990), while the second generation Panda that was launched in 2003, managed to keep Fiat afloat and formed the base for the successful 500.

Now it's time for Fiat to lift the wraps on the third iteration of the Panda that will make its world premiere in Frankfurt. The “Nuova” (that’s Italian for new) Panda has grown in dimensions compared to its predecessor measuring 3,650 mm long (vs 3,538), 1,640 mm wide (vs 1,578) and 1,550 mm tall (vs 1,450).

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Fiat's engineers are putting the final touches on the third generation of the Italian firm's best-seller in the mini segment, the Panda, which will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September before going on sale in select European markets by the end of the year, with the rest to follow in early 2012.

If you're weren’t content with our recent spy photographs of the prototype 2012 Panda, you might want to take a look at this video that was said to have been filmed in Napoli, Italy.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Last February Fiat recorded Europe’s lowest average CO2 emissions for the fourth year in a row. And now it reinforces its eco-friendly character by introducing an all-Euro 5 engine line-up across the Panda range in Britain. Read more »