Fiat may be in trouble but it wasn't apparent for a couple of days in Lisbon last week. The Italian manufacturer celebrated with a lavish night-time beach party after flamboyantly launching its new baby car, a baby that only a month or two was going to be called Gingo but now is Panda. Andrew Hamilton reports
Legal threats from Renault which has its own Twingo baby, brought the change of heart - and name. That unpleasantness and the worrying red ink back at the Turin base, were easily forgotten.
Fiat's penchant is for small cars and the new arrival got a positive welcome, albeit with clichéd words from some that it was "make-or-break for Fiat".
For a start though, we should say it's worlds apart from its long-running predecessor. The old Panda, around for nearly a quarter of a century, was basic, utilitarian and a bit gawky, the Italian small workhorse equivalent of the old Renault 5. New Panda is a much more sophisticated and chic affair which, like the old Mini, is meant to be classless with a wide diversity of customers.
Like so many compact packages these days, it sits tall and high: the vital statistics are 3,538mm in length, 1,578mm in width and 1,540mm in height.
In the engine line-up, there are two petrol units of 1.1 and 1.2 litre Fire units with 54 and 60bhp respectively as well as a 70bhp 1.3 litre Multijet which is Fiat's highly impressive and acclaimed second-generation common rail diesel.
Sadly the diesel won't feature when Panda has its Irish launch at the end of this year. There's little market appeal for small car diesels here but maybe Fiat could establish a trend.
The 1.3 Multijet has to be the answer to our needs, combing performance and economy. At 100mph and 13 seconds from 0 to 62mph, it's not only the fastest Panda but, with a combined economy figure of nearly 66mpg, also the most economical by miles. The good news is, of course, that this small thoroughly modern diesel is available on the Irish in the revised Punto and will feature in the forthcoming Idea, Fiat's new mini-MPV.
Our test route was mostly through Lisbon's streets and squares, all decked out with Panda promotional banners. We made it out to the seaside promenade of Estoril, the Bray of Lisbon and there were about 10 kilometres of motorway.
Panda exuded that fun-to-drive, easily manoeuvrable feel that you get with a small car. Steering was light but still well-weighted and the grip on bendy bits was far better than we expected. That goes too for the ride quality which was surprisingly absorbent, given those compact dimensions.
Biggest impression of all was the quietness of the cabin in both petrol and the turbodiesel models.
The seats do have a smallish feel and those with large posteriors might not just achieve total relaxation. All in all, the cabin offers far more space than the exterior suggests.
Fiat has eschewed the trend for metal surfaces and the plastic and cloth finish looks warm and even somewhat opulent. The main interior feature is a conspicuous console which divides the dashboard, houses most of the large user-friendly controls and incorporates the gear lever, close to the steering wheel. A sliding rear seat that allows more legroom or a larger boot, will be optional.
Fiat sees the new Panda as "a veritable mix of different car types" on the one hand, offering the roominess and flexibility of a MPV while giving the driving satisfaction of a small supermini. The supermini role for Fiat is carried out by Punto which means that Panda must occupy a lower rung. Currently there is the baby Seicento and we understand it will disappear from the Irish market to make way for Panda.
For Fiat Auto Ireland, Joe Gantly is expecting sales of around 700 Puntos next year. Bigger sales are achieved in the B and C segments of supermini and small family cars. Another scrappage scheme would give the Panda and the segment as a whole lift-off.
Panda, we think, oozes appeal and deserves to do well. It should provide some healing balm too for Fiat's financial sores. We look forward to its Irish arrival late this year.