Fiat celebrates 30 years of Panda 4x4 with Antartica edition [w/poll]

Wed, 04 Sep 2013

Typically, 4x4s are rather large affairs, but the Fiat Panda stands resolutely against the trend. And what's more, it's done just that for 30 years now, over the course of which Fiat has rolled out three successive generations and sold over 400,000 examples of the little off-roader that could. So to celebrate three decades of the Panda 4x4, Fiat is rolling out this special edition.

Called the Fiat Panda 4x4 Antartica, it's set to debut next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show alongside a new Black Code trim for the Freemont (known to us as the Dodge Journey) and an anniversary edition Abarth 595. Fiat has based this special edition on the Panda 4x4 Rock and upgraded it with two-tone paint, 15-inch diamond-finish alloys, orange trim, fog lights, tinted glass and special badging. Inside, it's got gray and orange upholstery, and European buyers can order it up with either the 85-horsepower 900cc TwinAir engine or the 75hp 1.3-liter diesel.

A limited run will reach European showrooms by the end of the year. But we wonder... should Fiat consider bringing the Panda Stateside to share floor space with the diminutive 500? Have your say in our informal poll below, and feel free to read through the press release, too.

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 Noah Joseph