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Hey, look! It's the new version of one of James May's favourite cars!
Though the 2012 Fiat Panda's got some competition in the hitherto unnamed ruthlessly-practical-and-all-the-more-charming-for-it segment. Namely, the Volkswagen Up.
See more pics of the 2012 Fiat Panda here
It makes a chunkier, more versatile-looking first impression than the dub, though - it's 11cm longer (3650mm in total), has five doors (the launch-spec Up's a three-door) and, according to Fiat, there's room enough for five actual humans. It's also got the biggest boot in its class.
Unlike VW, Fiat went a bit retro inside. Doffing its cap to the original eighties version, there's a cloth-covered dashboard with a great big bin for your stuff.
Underneath, the oily bits are pretty familiar. Suspension comprises of MacPherson struts up front and torsion beam astern. Engine-wise, you can chose between the TwinAir two-cylinder petrol in either 64bhp 0.9 Aspirated TwinAir form and 84bhp 0.9 TwinAir Turbo guise. More conventional 68bhp 1.2 four-cylinder petrols and 74bhp 1.3-litre diesels are also on the menu.
Think James'll like it, TopGear.commers? Or will he prefer the Up?
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
LastOnSunday commented on this article
at 10:41 am on 30 August 2011
Looks a lot funkier than the other small hatches on the market at the mo'
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sourpickle191 commented on this article
at 11:23 am on 30 August 2011
it looks good, engines sound good. if it's cheap then people may bu it. the only thing i don't like about it is the rectangular shape in the middle of the bonet.
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StigsIrishCousn commented on this article
at 11:35 am on 30 August 2011
Looks like a clever update of the shape and the interior is fantastic looking. Not sure if that big interior bin is a good idea though, has "Window Smashers Welcome" written all over it. I'm sure James will prefer this to the Up (!) which is quite dull really by comparison.
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Toyota_Pious commented on this article
at 12:18 pm on 30 August 2011
Was enthusiastic right up until I saw the Quartic Steering wheel. By all means reference the original 80s Panda but please, Fiat, it's a crime to use the Allegro for inspiration...
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The_Stig_Farmer commented on this article
at 03:31 pm on 30 August 2011
What has happened? One of the best looking cars on the market (serious) now looks sort-of like its bigger brother the Qubo, which looks awful. Despite this the interior is excellent; I love the gearlever especially.
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