Italian manufacturer Fiat first launched their Panda 4×4 back in June 1983, and over the last thirty years they’ve seen some striking changes – but this diminutive 4×4 has remained popular.
There have been two distinct generations of the Fiat Panda. The first generation was phased out from 1996 onwards, although it remained in production in Italy until 2003. At this point, the Panda 4×4 was very popular on the used car market. They were affordable, sturdy and useful vehicles at a point when most other available 4x4s were much larger and much more expensive SUVs.
The second generation of Pandas began to hit the streets in 2003, and it was quickly seen to be a success. The little Panda 4×4 has now sold over 400,000 units, proving that size really doesn’t always matter. Interestingly, both the 1,000,000th and 2,000,000th new Pandas to roll off the production lines were red Panda 4x4s.
They’ve even proved their standards against the most gruelling tests. In 2007, two factory-built Fiat Pandas were entered into the infamous Dakar Rally (this was the last time the rally was held in Europe). Although they withdrew at the fourth stage, this was a great achievement considering that most vehicles in the rally are heavily customised or purpose built.
After thirty years, it’s only right that the manufacturers should do something in the way of celebration, so at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show they will be unveiling the special edition Fiat Panda 4×4 Antarctica.
The Antarctica is based on the Panda 4×4 Rock, with two-tone paint, orange trim, 15-inch diamond finish alloys, fog lights, tinted glass and special badging. It’s fitted with 175/65 snow tires that Fiat say won’t harm fuel economy, and buyers will be able to choose either the 85 horsepower 900cc TwinAir engine or the 75 horsepower 1.3 litre diesel. The Antarctica will only be in European showrooms in a limited run by the end of the year; something which is sure to disappoint the Americans.
Whether you’re a fan of smaller 4x4s like the Fiat Panda, or its larger cousins like the Land Rover Discovery, here at CWS 4×4 we specialise in 4×4 parts for a range of vehicles, so that you can keep your motor on the road for longer.