Italian automotive publication
Alvolante.it has uncovered the first spy pictures of the hotly-anticipated Fiat
Panda city-car, being produced in
Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy. Although there's not much to go by, the bodyshell of this upcoming
Panda seems to sport a more curvaceous design theme, especially the addition of muscular wheelarches.
The current
Panda will be 10 years old when the new model is released in 2012 and will be thoroughly upgraded, as it will be taking styling clues of the
500, following in suit of the recent
Punto Evo. With that in mind, the tail-lights will be wider but substantially shorter than that of the outgoing model, so expect a contemporary exterior and a colour co-ordinated interior with a wealth a new technologies and optional equipment like panoramic glass sunroof, leather steering wheel, Blue&Me, cruise control, decals, keyfob covers, and rear electric windows.
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Expect a long list of standard
features like ESP, x6 airbags, and electric windows |
The new
Panda will underpin a new platform that centres on the American-spec
500 city-car, which allows to lower noise, vibration, and harshness. Power will come from a range of updated Euro5 naturally-aspirated and turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, including the new 0.9 TwinAir petrol unit, 1.3 MultiJet 95bhp diesel engine, and a LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)/CNG (compressed natural gas) variant. The same 5 speed manual gearbox and 6 speed dualogic robotised clutchless semi-automatic will be available.
In the pipeline, a sports-orientated variant powered by the 0.9 TwinAir with 105bhp will be offered, alongside a 4x4 and commercial variant.
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Stubby rear lights and bulging wheelarches will echo
that of the sub-compact Uno |
Set to premier at the Frankfurt motor show in September, expect a slight increase on the current £7,960 entry-level price-tag when the car goes on sale in Summer 2012.
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The Idea sub-compact MPV will utilise engines
from the Punto Evo. Look out for an
faux-off road variant for South America |
Additionally, Fiat is also working on two new MPVs to replace the unloved Idea sub-compact MPV and Multipla compact MPV. This Qubo test mule, spied undergoing final cold-weather testing, appears to be longer than the regular Qubo and is likely to be a Multipla mule due to the placement of the rear wheel and a wheelbase measuring in excess of 2.6 metres. With that in mind, it's been confirmed that the Multipla, codenamed L0, will be sold in the U.S with production commencing in Mexico.
The European replacement of the Idea will be manufactured in Serbia from 2012 as its assembly plant is currently undergoing extensive renovation works. This will be codenamed L1 and will be offered in two wheelbases; short and long and two seating options; 5 seat and 7 seat.
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| As will be next Multipla |
Look out for sales starting in early 2012.
Via
CarsSpyPhotos
