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Fiat Panda 4x4
Many journalists probably passed over the Panda 4x4 at the Fiat display, but the four-wheel drive supermini caught my eye. Throughout our stay in Frankfurt we've seen hardly any SUVs out on the road for obvious reasons, but the Panda 4X4 is the type of soft-roader that makes perfect sense for the many urban areas in Europe where city streets are too narrow for the likes of normal SUVs. It measures just 11.7 ft long, 5.25 ft wide and 5.35 ft tall.
Because of its ultra small size, the Panda 4x4 does not sport a very powerful engine. There are two powerplants available, a 1.3L turbodiesel rated at just 70 bhp and a gas-powered 1.2L with peak output of 60 bhp. Dont expect the Panda 4x4 to reach 62 mph before 18 seconds have passed, because it just wont. What it lacks in performance, however, it makes up for with stellar fuel economy and a four-wheel drive system able to tackle those old cobble-stone roads in European cities with ease.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Paul 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
its amazing what can be done with the 2 billion that those morons at gm paid fiat for nothing in return. brilliant.
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JimR 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Jeremy Clarkson used a Panda 4x4 to race a man on foot across London in Top Gear BBC bit.
The runner won.
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Simon Speichert 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Tom Ford of Top Gear Magazine and Fifth Gear raced a Range Rover and a Panda 4x4 up a quarry. Until it met an obstacle that had been easily overcome by the Range Rover's superior ground clearance, the Panda was on pace to beat the larger vehicle. The Panda doesn't have constant all-wheel drive; when the front wheels start to slip, the back ones kick in.
It's stylish, it's tiny, and it's functional. Italian law enforcement used to use the old Panda 4x4 for alpine rescue. Me, I'd buy the new one in a heartbeat.
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Paul949 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
This is a fantastic car!
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