Autoblog

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Getting in on the "Green" theme of the Frankfurt Motor Show (or is that nearly every show now-a-days?), Fiat is unveiling the Panda Aria concept, which comes packing plenty of eco-friendly technology both inside and out.

Motivation comes courtesy of an 800cc turbo'd two-cylinder engine that produces 80 HP, which can run on either gasoline or a methane-hydrogen mixture, plus it comes equipped with the oh-so-en vogue start-stop technology. Both the interior and exterior are comprised of a number of ecological materials, from the upholstery to the body panels, most of which is either recycled or recyclable.

You can get all the details in Fiat's press release after the jump.

This time next week, those of us fortunate enough to go to Frankfurt will likely be passed out after a long day of press conferences, caffeine crashes and schnitzel binges. Two of the more compelling concepts we expect to see in Germany include the Volkswagen City Expert and Toyota's Endo microcar, both of which will likely see production in an effort to provide diminutive, low-cost transport across the globe. Fiat apparently wants in on the action too.

According to Automotive News, Fiat may be developing its own sub-compact runabout, based off the Panda and 500 platform, only with 300mm lopped off. Able to seat four, the concept will be powered by a 65 HP, 900cc two-cylinder engine, but it won't make its debut until sometime next year.

The article also sheds light on both the VW and Toyota vehicles, with the former coming in at about 3,400 mm and the latter stretching a full 3,150 mm. Skoda and Seat, affiliates of Volkswagen, are likely to get their own versions later, both powered by either a two- or three-cylinder engine that lies flat underneath the rear seats. Expect to see variants of the City Expert in both Tokyo and Los Angeles later this year.

Whether or not either of automaker can make a profit on these vehicles is a question that has sparked debate among analysts, but regardless, expect Toyota's Endo to make it to production in 2009 and VW's City Expert around the same time.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

The Abarth name was only retrieved from the dustbin of history a few months ago, and already Fiat is showing off funky concepts for it. Created by the European Institute of Design, sitting on a Fiat Panda platform, and powered by a 100 bhp 1.4-liter motor, the Abarth roadster could sell for £12,000 if it were ever produced. True, 100 bhp isn't much, but the roadster's weight wouldn't be much, either. The two-tone paint job and black hood would signify an SS edition, and a turbo could be fitted to the 1.4-liter for a 50 hp jump. Right now, though, there are no plans for such a car. For the time being there will be no dedicated Abarth model. The name will only be used for hotted-up versions of Fiat cars.

[Source: Auto Express]

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Fiat's little Panda miniwagon is taking on the Dakar Rally. A pair of race-prepped Pandas will compete in the 8,100 kilometer event. Our sister site, AutoblogGreen, reports that the PanDAKARs, as they're called, will be equipped with 42-gallon fuel tanks. That should give the cars, which are powered by 1.3L Miltijet turbodiesels, unbelievable range.

As you'd expect, the panelized Pandas will also be stocked with water reserves, tools to help them extract themselves when stuck in the sand, and 3 spare wheels. The support machinery consists of a Fiat Sedici (a.k.a. Suzuki SX4) service vehicle, which we'd love to see in its Dakar trim, as well as a trio of Iveco trucks.

We're looking forward to seeing how the cuddly 'lil Pandas do in the challenging race. Follow the jump for Fiat's full press release, and make sure you check out our PanDAKAR Photo Gallery.

[Source: Fiat via AutoblogGreen]

A hundred horsepower isn't usually anything to write home about, but in a tiny car like the Fiat Panda it makes for a fun recipe. We've said it before and we'll say it again, we like the Fiat Panda Sport and wish we could get them here in the US.

This promo video shows the miniscule go-kart/supermini zipping around a track (admittedly not the most likely place you'll see it), and offers some odd zoom-ins and pans on such "interesting" features as the tailgate latch. All set to a bizarrely calming electronic soundtrack.

Related posts:

• Macpherson struts her stuff: Elle gets a Fiat Panda
• Paris Preview: First photo of Fiat Panda Sport
  

[Source: Motor Authority]

We just love it when cars and models collide (figuratively, not literally... that'd be tragic). It's convergence at its finest. Like Jodie Kidd who races Maseratis, supermodel Elle Macpherson also loves Italian cars, albeit slightly smaller ones. Elle became the first owner of the new Fiat Panda 100HP when the new suped-up ultra-teeny-tiny-supermini made its British debut at the MPH '06 show this past Thursday.

While 100 horsepower may not sound like much, considering the Panda's Lilliputian dimensions, it's nothing to sneeze at (especially among the car's asthmatic competition). The Panda is a little over three-and-a-half meters long, one-and-a-half meters each wide and tall, and weights less than one ton, so 100 horses are all it takes to get it to sixty in 9.5 seconds. It tops out at 115 mph while returning 43.4 mpg on the combined cycle. Fiat's Abarth performance division also gave the Panda 100HP disc brakes all around (vented up front) , as well as an upgraded suspension, with some visual enhancements to go with the extra performance kit.

We just wish this cute model were available and in the US. (The Panda too, for that matter.)

[Source: Fiat UK]

In addition to the higher-output Panda Sport, Fiat will be showing two new methane-powered vehicles at the Paris show at the end of the month. Over the past year, across Europe, Fiat has sold 24,000 methane-powered cars; the major advantage being reduced CO2 emissions.

The rather oddly-named Panda Panda (shown) is a flexible-fuel vehicle that can run on either methane or conventional gasoline, going on sale in Italy beginning January. Using the floor-plan from the four-wheel-drive Panda but driving only through the front wheels, the supplemental methane tanks are placed where the 4WD mechanicals would be, giving the Panda Panda the bonus of increased range.

The Multipla Multi-eco concept, meanwhile, runs on methane, gasoline or E85 bioethanol. Like the Panda Panda, the methane is stored in separate tanks, while the main tank takes either gas or bioethanol, leaving the ECU to switch modes automatically according to the fuel used.

We're still waiting for our flying DeLorean that runs on either plutonium or garbage, with a flux capacitor pumping out 1.21 gigawatts!

(More pics of the Panda Panda after the jump.)

[Sources: Fiat, Autocar]

Fiat is releasing a slightly pumped-up version of its cuddly Panda mini at the Paris auto show, and we're liking what we see. The Fiat Panda Sport gets a snazzy visual makover by Abarth that includes honeycomb grilles, a more muscular front bbmper, new rocker panels, painted seven-spoke wheels, and red brake calipers. Underhood, the car's 1.4L 4-cylinder makes 100 horsepower (up from 94). That's good for a 9.6-second 0-62 mph time, which is more than enough zip for the European urban environments the fuzzy little Fiat is likely to find itself in.

As for us, we dig this perky Panda even more than the limited-edition Panda Monster 4x4. If we lived in Europe, we'd take one of each. Why can't we have small cars this cool?

Update: Interior shot added after the jump.

[Source: FIAT]

Approximately 200 adventurers left London this past Saturday to begin making the 8,000-mile trek known as the Mongol Rally. The three-week journey will cover two deserts, five mountain ranges and an untold number of countries with the winners survivors finding themselves in the scenic Mongolian capitol, Ulaan Bataar.

Aside from all the challenges that will inevitably present themselves along the way, probably the greatest obstacles are the vehicles mandated for the event. All four-wheeled machines are limited to 1 liter of displacement, while the two-wheeled contenders are allowed to max out at 125cc. The vehicles are chosen as much for their quirkiness as they are for their road going prowess and while certain modifications are allowed, heavily adapted vehicles can be subject to fines.

You can follow the progress of the teams, see the five recommended routes and check out the charities the Mongol Rally will be benefiting at their site www.mongolrally.com.

[Thanks to Christian for the tip!]

Fiat has unveiled a new special edition of its popular Panda hatchback, with special cues taken from a can-opener designer. The Fiat Panda Alessi is the latest word in the marketing trend that is dual-branding, the phenomenon that has brought about such four-wheeled propositions as the Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer and Lexus' ES300 Coach Edition.

In this case, Fiat has tapped Italian design house Alessi for the Panda, giving it a range of distinctive two-tone paint-job. Fiat is even giving away some of the firm's products (coffee machine and tin-can openers) for the special model's debut-- at the Ideal Home Show in the UK.

[Source: ITV Motoring]