As the new
third-generation Panda prepares for its imminent debut
in its Italian showrooms, Fiat has released a series of
sketches and a press release that purport to explain the
design thinking that went into developing the new
interior and exterior of the A-segment contender.
In reality the new
Panda's exterior design is very much a fusion of the
stance and frame of the outgoing model and the acclaimed
styling of the new Fiat Uno developed in Brazil last
year for Latin American markets. The Brazilian-built
Uno's designer's actually drew inspiration in certain
cues from the
first-generation Panda when styling the new model.
Inside, the new Panda's cabin contains fresh thinking,
building on Fiat's abilities in developing roomy and
innovative passenger space.
Fiat Panda Design (Fiat
Press Release)
After the world preview
at the Frankfurt Motor Show, here is the design of the
new Panda presented in an exclusive document, full of
unique illustrations, produced by the Centro Stile Fiat.
An intuitive, fun way of describing the many new style
features and functional details of the new Panda.
Although still very
compact, the new Panda has grown by just a few
centimetres to reach the highest safety standards and
improve the generous dimensions of the passenger
compartment and boot even further. In addition,
modularity is enhanced by numerous storage compartments
and a wide array of front and rear seat configurations.
In particular, the new
model has been restyled on the outside with soft,
rounded lines on a regular, very effective volume for
exploiting space. Its front has a strong personality
with a slightly convex bonnet mating with an elegant
horizontal grille and new rounded headlamps accented by
separate supplementary Daytime Running Lights.
The side view has also
been updated by reinterpreting several distinctive
features of the second-generation Fiat Panda such as the
third window, now with rounder angles in harmony with
the softer shape of the exteriors to create the effect
of an uninterrupted glazed surface stretching back up to
the vertical rear light clusters. Smooth, rounded shapes
are also found in the strips applied to bumpers and side
panels which in addition to paying tribute to the
first-generation Fiat Panda also accentuate the
"all-terrain" look of the model, which is confirmed by
the pronounced wheel arches. Finally, as on the current
model, the lower section of the tailgate protrudes with
respect to the rear window. This, combined with the side
line, gives a distinct impression of a roof panel
resting on the bodywork.
The interiors are a
continuation of the stylistic choices made for the
exteriors. The result is a spacious, functional and
comfortable passenger compartment, which can bear
comparison with that of higher category cars. It is a
well-known fact that flexibility has always been one of
the strengths of the Panda, as proven by the split and
sliding rear seat and the front passenger seat backrest,
which can be folded down to form a table. This
equipment, exclusive in its category, combined with the
cargo box option for the boot, offers a nearly flat
loading area to fully exploit the entire length of the
passenger compartment.
Inspired by the most
modern trends, the design of the new Panda is based on
the concept that everyone has their own needs, their own
lifestyle, a personal relationship with their objects
and their own way of distributing them in space. And of
finding them again. This is why the new model is a place
to fill in an entirely personal way, but at the same
time it is a place that is a pleasure to share with
others.
The new dashboard has
been designed as a practical multifunctional shell
containing a large storage "pocket", just like the first
version of the model. The shell is enveloped in a
seamless, colourful frame which graphically joins the
steering wheel, radio and main controls and houses the
vents and passenger airbag. Once again, this is tribute
to the first-generation Panda, where the elements were
fastened onto to a fabric "pouch" which constituted the
main part of the dashboard.
In short, the new Panda
is a car sure to continuously surprise owing to its
ability to transform itself according to the situation
and adapt to the needs of whoever uses it, driver or
passenger as the case may be. But then it is common
knowledge that offering original style, advanced
technology accessible to everyone, and smart solutions
that simplify and improve life on board is in Fiat's
blood.