There is a new small crossover in town and it’s named the 2013 Fiat Panda 4×4. It was revealed today ahead of a world premiere at forthcoming international Paris Motor Show in late September.
Billed as the only four-wheel drive car in the A-segment, the Panda 4×4 is the latest generation of a model series that spans back almost 30 years.
Based on the regular five-door Panda tall hatchback, the 4×4 is 3,680mm long, 1,670mm wide and 1,600mm tall. It rides on a 2,300mm wheelbase and has a front track of 1,410mm and a rear track of 1,400mm.
The designers at the Fiat Centro Stile gave the Panda 4×4 a tougher look on the outside by adding small details such as the chunky door sills and the matching black mouldings around the wheel arches and the bumpers, which also house silver-colored skid plates.
Fiat has enhanced the existing color palette with two new colors made specifically for the 4×4, named Sicilia orange (pastel) and Toscana green (metallic).
The all-wheel drive model rides on newly designed 15-inch alloy rims, shod in 175/65 R15 M+S tires.
Inside, the Italian firm’s designers added a new green frame around the dashboard, different seat and door panel upholstery, while also improving storage with the addition of a new console over the center tunnel.
The Panda 4×4 is equipped with a “Torque on demand” transmission system with two differentials and electronically controlled coupling. This is a permanent four-wheel drive system managed by an electronic control unit that distributes traction between the front and rear axle according to road grip conditions.
An ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system with ELD (Electronic Locking Differential) function comes as standard.
The suspension system of the all-wheel model includes an independent MacPherson arrangement up front and an interconnected wheel with torsion beam layout at the rear, which was specifically developed for the four-wheel drive model. Naturally, the 4×4 has an increased suspension travel compared to the FWD variants.
The Panda 4×4 will be offered with two engine choices, including the new 84hp (85PS) 0.9-liter TwinAir Turbo petrol and the 74hp (75PS) 1.3-liter MultiJet II diesel.
Both powerplants are equipped with a standard Start&Stop system and a six-speed manual transmission with a low-range first gear.
In addition to the Panda 4×4, Fiat will also debut two more models of the Panda family in Paris, the Trekking and Natural Power.
The Trekking promises to close the gap between the 4×4 and the regular FWD models by combining the former’s off-road looks with a “smart” front-wheel drive system that uses a traction control system to improve handling on slippery terrain.
The Panda Natural Power is equipped with a dual fuel (methane and petrol) 79hp (80PS) 0.9-liter two-cylinder TwinAir Turbo engine.
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