We spotted the cheeky-looking Fiat Panda 100HP at the
Paris Motor Show and it has been confirmed for sale in Britain. You will see this model in Fiat showrooms early in 2007, alongside the new model year Panda.
As the name suggests, this Panda's new 1.4-litre 16v petrol engine produces 100bhp, at a feisty 6000rpm. It is backed up by 97lb.ft of torque at 4250rpm, which should be enough to make the light Panda feel full of that famed Italian brio. Fiat claims a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 115mph, though on-paper figures mean little when you're nipping in and out of traffic.
To that end, the Panda 100HP features tweaked suspension and disc brakes all-round to let you make the most of the grip afforded by the 195/45 R15 tyres wrapped around natty new seven-spoke 15-inch alloys. If buyers opt for the 'Pandemonio' pack (literally translating as 'pandemonium'!) the 100HP comes fitted with chrome side stickers, red-painted brake callipers, silver door mirrors and alloys and unique pedals and floor mats.
Even the standard Panda 100HP will be well equipped though, with a leather sports steering wheel and six-speed gearbox as standard, along with a full body kit that includes a chrome spoiler, new bumpers, sports exhaust and a bespoke grille design. Inside, the driver gets a 'Sport' button that changes the throttle map and changes the weighting of the steering.
Sounds like a little ball of automotive fun to us. Can't wait to try it next year!
Shane O' Donoghue - 7 Oct 2006