Two brand-new two-tone Fiat Pandas were presented at the 29th Bologna Motor Show, their first public appearance.

The first combined black and blue shades, while the second was shown red and blue. The latter also featured an unusual wickerwork basket on the roof, ideal for carrying skis. Both cars had their interior upholstered in denim and the centre part of the seats were made of an innovative material called Starlite by Trend Design Alcantara.

The two tone version offers the extra touch of sophistication and elegance required to turn it into a fashion car. Just like the exclusive clothing and accessory collection bearing the 'Fiat Vintage' label that has been flying off the shelves for the last few months.

The show car confirmed the strengths of a vehicle with original styling that is striking for its dynamism. Once you climb aboard, the same car conveys all the practicality and comfort of a higher category car.

This, in brief, is the spirit of the new Panda, recently crowned 2004 Car of the Year and 2004 European Car of the Year, critical acclaim that has been matched by success in the marketplace.

The credit goes to a design that has generated a car of compact external dimensions gifted with a comfort level to which larger cars have now accustomed us.

Designed to be mean with fuel but not less lively for this. Ideal in city traffic but at the same time eager to tackle longer journeys, with the guarantee of a relaxing drive for passengers. All these features make the Fiat Panda a fun pint-sized car that also represents fantastic value for money with its winning package of features, running costs and resale value.

And so Fiat will take its rightful place as leader of this growing segment where so much history bears its name: from the first 600 to the 500, from the 126 to the Panda and from the Cinquecento to the Seicento.

The first people to discover the car as an irreplaceable means of individual mobility drove Fiat city cars. And they learned how to appreciate cars that could be good-looking, reliable and fun to drive at low cost despite their lack of space, weight and cylinder capacity.

Now the baton passes to the new Panda, a model that has won seven prestigious international prizes and is a sales champion in its market band.

Photo: Carlo Ombello