2013 Fiat Panda Antartica is crossover dressed as a penguin in a tuxedo [w/video]

Wed, 11 Sep 2013

If the results of our totally informal, completely unscientific poll are anything to go by, Americans are eager to get their hands on small utility vehicles like the Fiat Panda. And it's easy to see why – accessibility, relatively low price and 4x4 capability are traits that ought to work in America just as in the rest of the world. Indeed, Fiat has sold 500,000 or so Panda models over the past 30 years all across Europe.

Based on the Panda 4x4 Rock and updated with a special white, black and orange color scheme (called a tuxedo and inspired by a Penguin, apparently), fog lights and 15-inch alloy wheels, the Panda Antartica will soon hit European dealerships in limited quantities powered by either an 85-horsepower 900cc TwinAir engine or a 75-hp 1.3-liter diesel.

Take a look at it in our high-res gallery above, and be sure to scroll down below for a press release and the complete Fiat press conference from Frankfurt on video.

Fiat Panda 4x4 Antartica

- A special series to celebrate 30 years of success for the only 4x4 in the city car segment
- Two-tone bodywork and orange detailing for an attractive and distinctive look
- On sale by the end of the year in a limited edition

More than 400,000 units sold, 3 generations and various successful special series: from its launch in 1983 to the present day, the Panda 4x4 is a unique concept that stands out from the crowd. To celebrate its 30th birthday, the new Panda Antartica will make its debut in Frankfurt: a Limited Edition based on the 4x4 Rock trim level, a vehicle which is beating the sales records of previous generations with a mix of 15% in Europe.

The new special series is characterised, on the outside, by its two-tone bodywork - white with a black roof - as well as several distinguishing features which give even more personality to the little 4x4 city car: grey diamond finish 15" alloy rims, orange hub caps, fog lights, Privacy windows, orange mirror fairings and a special badge on the central pillar.

The interior features stylish grey and orange upholstery, with the Panda's well loved versatility and passenger compartment comfort once again guaranteed by the 3 seater rear seat with 60/40 folding backrests and the height adjustable driver's seat as standard.

On sale in this limited edition by the end of the year, the Fiat Panda 4x4 Antartica will be available with the 0.9 TwinAir Turbo 85 HP and the diesel 1.3 MultiJet II 75 HP engine options, both fitted with the Start&Stop system.

Of course, the Special Series features all of the strengths of the 4x4 model, which last year was awarded the prestigious title of 'SUV of the Year 2012' by the UK's Top Gear magazine. Starting with the adoption of the "torque on demand" drive system, which is activated automatically when needed, so you can tackle any driving situation in complete cool. The Panda 4x4 also features the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system with ELD (Electronic Locking Differential) function as standard. This system provides additional assistance while driving and setting off on slippery terrain.

The Panda Antartica offers all the dynamics and comfort you need to complete long and challenging routes, thanks above all to the revised suspension - an independent MacPherson wheel arrangement at the front and interconnected wheels with torsion beam layout at the rear - and to the 6-speed gearbox with low first gear combined with the TwinAir Turbo engine, to accentuate the model's off-road features, ensuring optimum set-off during hill starts.

To ensure maximum grip on any surface, the new model benefits from specifically developed 175/65 R15 84T M+S winter tyres and is the only city car to offer them as standard. The special Snow Flake tyres are designed to be used not only on ice and snow, but on roads and dirt tracks as well. This means that traction capacity on poor-grip surfaces is 20% better than the previous model. And it should be noted that this ultimate flexibility of use does not affect fuel consumption or running costs since, in pure 'Simply More' style, the Panda 4x4 Antartica customer does not have to worry about replacing the set of tyres with every change of season.

By Jeremy Korzeniewski