Fiat Panda celebrates 40th with 2021 updates
The loveable little Fiat Panda turned 40 this year and Fiat’s given it a refresh to celebrate. The revised car gets the obligatory light restyle, new trim levels and hybrid tech.
A big talking point is the Panda’s new mild-hybrid 70PS 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine which is Euro 6D compliant. It gets an electric boost under acceleration and can recoup power when coasting and braking - which adds up to a 30 per cent improvement on emissions and fuel economy.
Love the thrummy old TwinAir model? Then worry not, the 85PS 0.9-litre twin-cylinder still comes as standard with four-wheel-drive versions of the Panda.
The new range includes City Life, Sport, Cross, Wild and City Cross trim levels and the basic Panda Life gets kit such as body-coloured bumpers, 14-inch steel wheels and a DAB radio with a USB connection.
City Life models get smart exterior touches such as side skirts and 15-inch alloy wheels. Inside, you get two-tone grey seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, air-conditioning and a smartphone mount with Bluetooth similar to the Volkswagen Up's.
The Panda Wild 4x4 gets the same features but adds four-wheel drive, a rear electronic differential lock and front and rear skid plates.
The new Sport model looks, well – sporty. It has 16-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers, tinted windows, as well as body-coloured door handles and door mirrors. It is also available with a unique matt grey paint job with a contrast glossy black roof and wing mirrors.
The sportier flavour continues inside where you’ll find a titanium coloured dashboard and ‘eco’ (or fake) leather upholstery.
Further up the range, you’ll find the new Panda City Cross. It gets the chunky looks of the 4x4 model, but without the four-wheel drive, while kit includes LED headlights. The City Cross gets black highlights on the wing mirrors, door handles, roof bars and side sills and comes with 15-inch alloy wheels. Its pastel blue paint job is also new.
At the top of the line-up, you’ll find the Panda Cross 4x4. As before, it has honey-I-shrunk-the-SUV looks and a four-wheel-drive system with three modes – Auto, Off-road and Hill Descent Control. Both Cross models also come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – a Panda first.
The new range starts from £11,895 for the basic car – a near £1,500 price hike on before – rising to £17,995 for the top-banana Cross 4x4 model.
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