New Fiat Panda Cross unwrapped
Author: Chris Barker
Published: 11 August 2008
If you’ve ever thought just how wonderful and complete life would be if only your Fiat Panda looked a little more, well, butch, then it’s your lucky week. Fiat has answered the prayers of UK city car buyers slightly concerned that their sprightly Fiat Panda supermini lacked something in the masculinity department, by inventing the new Fiat Panda Cross compact 4X4.
Chunky side protection strips, reworked bumpers, new front fogs, roof rails and 15” alloys were thought the best route to go down to inject a clearly defined stance to the oh-so-cute-it-hurts Panda that’s proved such a big hit since its launch.
Having recently identified and explored new car buying demographic frontiers - the Fiat Panda Mamy being one such idea that the Italian car manufacturer reckons has some mileage in it - it’s turned its attentions to something MT is 100% positive Action Man would approve of, if not kill for.
A higher, all-seeing new ride height complements the Panda Cross mini-SUV’s newly-rugged stance and offers the more manly driver something to chuck around at will, being well structured enough to bash into more than just skirting boards.
Having already gone down well – and back up again – across Europe, the 70bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel is as economical to run as just about any all-wheel drive car currently on the market, and figures suggest that it’s good for 54mpg. On an environmental note, the new Fiat Panda Cross relinquishes its hold on 136g/km of carbon dioxide, so really wont rub folk up the wrong way.
A special two-tone interior trim sets things apart inside, whilst ESP, air con, MP3-compatible CD player with steering wheel-mounted audio controls and electric power steering all being part and parcel of the new Panda Cross’ cellophane-wrapped shiny package.
Four exterior washes are available to have your Fiat Panda Cross decked out in, they there being Rain Dance Green, Goa Orange, Cumbia Beige and Crossover Black.
Incidentally, to those eagle-eyed of you, you’re right in thinking you may have seen the Panda Cross’ like before. Does the Panda Sisley pull any chords? Fiat’s first generation cheap, economical off-roader acted as the blueprint to the Cross’ birth.
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