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Fiat’s Top-Selling Panda Goneing on Sale in the UK
:: 12 August, 2008
A stylish new version of Fiat’s top-selling Panda has just gone on sale in the UK – offering a combination of serious 4x4 potential with manoeuvrable city car know-how.
The new Panda Cross turns heads wherever it goes. And when it comes to sure-footed driving – on and off-road – this mini-SUV excels in all departments. Available now, the new Panda Cross looks set to appeal to a wide range of fun-loving, cost-conscious drivers, regardless of whether they are city dwellers or country residents.
Combining the exceptional driveability of Fiat’s widely acclaimed 1.3 16v MultiJet turbodiesel engine with the proven permanent four-wheel drive system of the Panda 4x4, the rugged new Panda Cross comes with a host of significant style features.
New round light units front and rear, chunky side protection strips in contrasting colours, roof-bars, 15-inch alloy wheels and new bumpers all come as standard; while inside, the functional style continues with special two-tone interior trims.
The new Panda Cross permanent four-wheel drive system has a viscous coupling and an electronic differential lock which ensures extraordinary off-road performance in low-grip situations. Meanwhile, the MacPherson front and independent rear suspension ensures exceptional wheel-to-ground contact and remarkable passenger comfort over any surface.
Fiat’s frugal MultiJet turbodiesel engine gives smooth power delivery, low fuel consumption and emissions, together with top build quality. It produces 70 bhp and an impressive torque of 145 Nm at just 1500 rpm, which is ideal for off-road use.
As with any Panda, fuel consumption and emissions are exceptionally low. Panda Cross returns 42.1 mpg on the urban cycle, 67.3 mpg extra-urban, and 54.3 combined. The CO2 figure is 136 g/km.
At £11,995 on-the-road, the highly-competitive Panda Cross represents notable value for money and makes it the most inexpensive new diesel 4x4 available in the UK.
About Fiat
Fiat S.p.A. (Fiat Group) is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial and industrial group based in Turin in Northern Italy. Founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli, the company name FIAT is an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (Italian Automobile Factory of Turin). Fiat has also manufactured tanks and aircraft.
Fiat based cars are constructed all around the world — the largest concern outside Italy is in Brazil. It also has factories in Argentina and Poland (the former state FSO facility). Fiat has a long history of licensing their products to other countries regardless of local political or cultural persuasion. Joint venture operations are found in France, Turkey, Egypt (with the state owned Nasr car company), South Africa, India and China.
Agnelli's grandson Gianni Agnelli was Fiat chairman from 1966 until his death on January 24, 2003. However, from 1996, he only served as an "honorary" chairman, while the chairman was Cesare Romiti. After their removal, Paolo Fresco served as chairman and Paolo Cantarella as CEO. Umberto Agnelli then took over as chairman from 2002 to 2004. After Umberto Agnelli's death on May 28, 2004, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo was named chairman, but Agnelli heir John Elkann became vice chairman at age 28 and other family members are on the board. At this point, CEO Giuseppe Morchio immediately offered his resignation. Sergio Marchionne was named to replace him on June 1, 2004.
The group's activities were initially focused on the industrial production of cars, industrial and agricultural vehicles. Over time it has diversified into many other fields, and the group now has activities in a wide range of sectors in industry and financial services. It is Italy's largest industrial concern. It also has significant worldwide operations, operating in 61 countries with 1,063 companies that employ over 223,000 people, 111,000 of whom are outside Italy.
