The Panda 4x4 is a true supermini although its five doors and solid-looking appearance are more typical of a higher category car. These petite exterior dimensions are a valuable quality in a car that undoubtedly numbers 'city car' among its benefits.

Yet the new car from Fiat Auto offers much more. For example, it boasts an overall passenger room coefficient of more than 68%, one of the best in the supermini category. In the active safety field, the Panda 4x4 also offers ABS as standard complete with EBD and MSR, a function that modulates engine braking torque when changing down through the gears.

Not to mention the fact that the new model also offers devices exclusive within its category: from the CONNECT Nav Plus infotelematic system to the Dualdrive electric power steering system.

Elegant line and new interior design

The clean lines, unfussy styling and particular attention to detail displayed by the new 4x4 supermini reflect the most up-to-date trends. These are the distinctive traits of the new four wheel drive version of the Panda, a car that conveys an immediate sensation of freshness.

The stylists have added a touch of personality to this small, youthful and informal car: i.e. the appearance of a solid, reassuring car that is much bigger than you would expect from a car of this size.

Other features include the mouldings and bars that accentuate the car's appearance of a small off-road city car. The all-terrain look is reinforced by the driver's high sitting position in relation to the ground, bumpers, (front and rear) complete with protective shields, big side strips that coordinate with special wing strips and a guard beneath the engine. This highly appealing car follows all the strong, successful market trends yet is still consistent with Fiat's history and mission.

The new small car is very compact but offers a surprising amount of interior room. Despite a length of 357 centimetres, width of 160 and height of 163, the Panda 4x4 Climbing can accommodate four to five people. It boasts one of the roomiest luggage compartments in its segment (200 litres that can be expanded to 230 due to a sliding rear seat) and one of the best overall passenger room coefficients in its segment (68%).

From original exterior styling to new design interiors. Despite its small size, once you climb aboard the Panda 4x4 you will be amazed by the size of its passenger compartment and interior space. And more. The high driving position and oceans of glass with rear quarter lights allow you full mastery of the road. The cockpit is made even more comfortable by a user-friendly instrument and control layout, good legroom and great freedom of movement in the upper area of the passenger compartment.

The up-to-date, appealing facia design is also pleasing and practical. Suffice it to say that all the controls are within easy reach on the central console: the gearlever on the lower part assures outstanding manoeuvrability in complete safety. The heater controls are arranged in the middle close to original-looking round outlets. The radio is built into the upper part and offers exceptional visibility without distracting you from the road.

The door panel design also blends into that of the facia and offers a mix of practical features and good looks. Examples include: an original cloth-trimmed island, a convenient armrest with handle and a roomy oddment pouch lower down. The seats are also very comfortable.

This is partly due to their excellent lateral containment, a feature particularly appreciated by those who prefer a sporty drive. A surprisingly wide rear seat and ample available space combine to create a very comfortable environment for rear passengers as well. The possibility of folding the rear seat backrest, aided by the upright position of the tailgate, offer a load compartment of considerable size.

The passenger compartment design is complemented by a rectangular-shaped luggage compartment that is large and easy to use despite the exterior supermini configuration.

The Panda 4x4's body-colours are matched on the inside by brand-new bright trim shades that are better quality than anything offered by the competition in this category. It all adds up to a bright environment that is made even more stylish by the colour contrast between the controls (darker in colour) and the well-proportioned surfaces.

Lastly, each of the two specifications offers interior trim in the same fabric and pattern but in two different shades: grey/yellow and grey/red.

Category-beating safety

The Fiat Panda 4x4 offers personality-packed styling, up-to-date and dependable mechanical components, a wealth of features and great comfort. It is also very safe. The safety comes not so much from individual components as from the sum of all the parts adopted to make it one of the safest cars in its segment.

Firstly, the Panda 4x4 braking system features two independent crossover hydraulic circuits to assure responsive, gradual braking and shorter stopping distances. Pedal travel is short to allow the qualities of the 9" brake servo to be exploited to the full.

The front discs are 240x20 mm, ventilated, with dual cylinder calipers and automatic take-up to ensure a reduced pedal travel that remains constant in time in addition to prompter braking. The rear brakes are 240x11 mm solid discs with rear calipers. The disc diameter on turbodiesel versions is 257 mm.

The ABS fitted to both versions of the car as standard (Bosch 8) offers four active sensors, four channels, an electronic control unit and eight solenoids. It is complemented by an EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution).

This system ensures that any wheel at the point of locking can brake as effectively as possible. In emergency situations, it also allows full directional control of the car by means of the steering wheel.

The strength of the system lies in the active sensors that process the wheel speeds themselves (without the intervention of the control unit). They can also read values close to zero (passive sensors cannot record speeds lower than 2.5 km/h) and are less sensitive to interference caused by electromagnetic fields.

This advanced ABS is complemented by an electronic brakeforce distributor EBD. This divides braking action over all four wheels to prevent the rear wheels from locking and ensures a balanced car response under all conditions. The system also adapts system operation to wheel grip conditions and pad efficiency. It also reduces front brake temperatures and the brake servo thrust requirement.

The ABS is also complemented by MSR (Motor Schleppmoment Regelung). If the driver changes down abruptly in poor grip conditions, the MSR cuts in to restore torque to the engine and prevent skidding as a result of wheel lock.

The Panda 4x4 therefore represents the state of the art in the field of passive safety systems. The Panda model has undergone 15000 hours of computer modelling, 80 crash tests, 70 simulations on a HyGe slide and 40 tests on components and subsystems. These numbers demonstrate the company's commitment to making the Fiat Panda one of the safest cars in its segment.

In-depth studies were carried out on exterior and interior components from the design stage to create a vehicle structure that is stiff around the passenger compartment (to protect occupants against objects entering the car). The areas outside the passenger compartment, on the other hand, offer high energy-absorbing capacity.

This protection is boosted by special dedicated safety devices. Beginning with airbags (up to six may be fitted), three-point seat-belts with pretensioners and load limiters, adjustable head-restraints and an FPS Fire Prevention System. And including a new chassis designed to absorb impact with maximum efficacy. The service continues with occupant protection provided by the body, bonnet, doors and facia beam. And we must not overlook the contribution to passive safety provided by other features such as the seats or door panels.

Although these parts fulfil a different function, they have also been designed with a view to their behaviour in the case of accidents.

CONNECT Nav Plus infotelematic system

Fiat is the first car manufacturer to produce a segment A car with a navigation system of the calibre of the CONNECT Nav Plus. After the success achieved on the Stilo, Ulysse, Idea, Multipla and Punto, now comes the turn of the Panda to benefit from the integrated communication method offered by the CONNECT Nav Plus.

This cutting-edge infotelematic system includes a satellite navigation system radio, CD player, dual-band GSM handsfree phone, voice commands and bCONNECT services.

The device is located in the centre of the facia and is equipped with a 6.5 inch TFT colour screen (active matrix) that allows the driver to follow easy instructions for the set route on the display (and also voice commands).

This system is a telematic product that makes cutting-edge technology available to drivers and ensures in-car living is even more comfortable and easy while you are en route for your destination.

Through the GPS/GSM network and the miracles of satellite communication, customers can simply press the green key to speak in hands-free mode to an operator; nothing less than a personal assistant ready to respond to their every need for information on traffic conditions on the motorways, ring-roads and main roads of Italy and Europe and points of interest. If necessary, they can also guarantee roadside assistance or send out mobile workshops to resolve problems on the spot.

Drivers need not concern themselves about having to ask for constant updates on road conditions because the Follow Me function means that the Service Centre operator updates them on any route changes via text or voice messages.

On the Panda 4x4, the bCONNECT system also offers a 'Drive Me' service that allows customers to request specific destinations throughout Europe: from the address of a friend to one of the numerous Italian and European National Parks. The bCONNECT operator transmits the required address directly to the navigation system so that the user can easily set the route by simply pressing the CONNECT key.

The bCONNECT operator can also make bookings on behalf of the customer and also, for example, reserve an air ticket, an overnight stay in a rural retreat or a table for two in one of the Trattorie del Gusto or Veronelli chain restaurants (or in one of the many restaurants selected by our prestigious international Partners).

Not to mention the fact that the bCONNECT system on the Panda 4x4 allows you to make phone calls, listen to music and send emails and text messages in absolute safety without taking your attention off the road. The hands-free dual band GSM mobile phone built into the facia means that while at the wheel of your new car you can make and receive calls without any need for an earpiece while still respecting the Highway Code and with the best reception assured by an external aerial.

Panda 4x4 customers can even benefit from infotelematic services when outside their cars. Customers can use 'bCONNECT VOICE', a special dedicated freephone number accessible from any type of telephone, to obtain a direct line to the operators. 'bCONNECT VOICE' is a veritable personal assistant for Panda customers, ready to advise customers on their trips and offer information on points of interest, places of refreshment, culture, night spots and lifestyle choices throughout Europe.

Dualdrive electric power steering

The Fiat Panda 4x4 steering system offers safe, precise steering at high speeds, good handling and limited effort during parking manoeuvres and at low speed. Among all the equipment items offered as standard on the Panda 4x4, the Dualdrive system deserves particular attention. This power-assisted steering system comes with two operating modes and uses the power generated by an electric motor instead of power from a hydraulic pump driven directly by the engine.

The steering response of the Panda 4x4's electric steering system is, however, proportional to car speed: the higher the speed, the lower the assistance and the stiffer the wheel response to ensure greater driving precision.

The exclusive system is particularly innovative even for an electric power steering system and offers customers an extra feature: i.e. a choice of two different setting programs. The first ensures maximum empathy between driver and car and is ideal for mixed out-of-town routes. The second lightens the steering to minimise effort and is therefore ideal for driving round town and parking manoeuvres.

To turn on the latter, all you have to do is turn on the city key in the middle of the facia. But fear not if you set off down the motorway with the device in this position. To ensure customers maximum safety in all cases, both programs offer the same degree of power assistance over 30 km/h and therefore ensure a steering wheel response suited to high speed.