What's the news?

Fiat has introduced a special edition version of its Panda 4x4 to celebrate 30 years of the four-wheel drive city car. It's called the Antarctica and comes with more standard equipment as well as some styling tweaks in order to make it stand out from the crowd. And stand out it will, as only 300 examples are coming to the UK.

Exterior

The unique colour scheme of a white body, black roof and orange detailing on the door mirrors has been chosen for the Antarctica, with the addition of a sunbathing penguin decal on each of the front doors. The special edition also comes with 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels as standard. The rugged-looking panelling and underbody protection are all carried over from the standard Panda 4x4.

Interior

Inside, the colour scheme from the bodywork continues with seats trimmed in a combination of grey and orange. All standard equipment from the Panda 4x4 is present; however, the Antarctica also gets privacy glass, height adjustment on the driver's seat and a three-passenger rear seat with a split folding backrest. Unfortunately, Fiat has omitted any more sun-loving wildlife decals for the interior. Pity.

Mechanicals

The Panda 4x4 Antarctica can be specified with either the 85hp 0.9-litre TwinAir petrol engine or the 75hp 1.3-litre MultiJet II turbodiesel unit. Fiat says that running costs are kept "exceptionally low" with either engine on board; and that the model offers "genuine off-road ability" thanks to an electronic locking differential, tuned suspension and mud and snow tyres fitted as standard.

Anything else?

Prices for the Antarctica model start at £14,895 and the 300 examples are bound to be snapped up fast considering the accolade the standard model has fetched in recent months and years. Winning the '2014 Mini 4x4' Award by 4x4 Magazine and Top Gear's SUV of the Year Award in 2012, the waiting list has been extended to March for those ordering a brand new example. Similarly, if ordered now, the special edition version is also likely to reach customers in time for the new '14' plate in March.

"Not only has the Fiat Panda 4x4 been a huge success all over Europe for the past 30 years, it's in huge demand in the UK too," comments Elena Bernardelli, Marketing Director for Fiat Group Automobiles UK. "The new Panda 4x4 Antarctica - with its extra equipment, unique styling features and strictly limited numbers - should prove even more appealing so potential buyers will need to be quick to snap one up this winter!"

James Giddings - 23 Jan 2014