Fiat Panda

Panda 3dr's a toughie!

At first glance, this might look like a standard Panda 4x4 - but on closer inspection, you will see that it's no ordinary supermini

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Three loader
Special Fiat has only three doors to free up space for sports gear inside, while rack is for transporting mountain bikes.

By Chris Thorp

20th December 2006

Unveiled at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy, the Panda Tanker features only three doors. And although the overall shape has remained unchanged, the two rear doors have been replaced by solid panels to free up some extra load space in the practical cabin.

Rugged extras and underbody protection also help to set the Tanker apart from the standard Panda 4x4 model. Designed in conjunction with Italian extreme sport clothing manufacturer Dainese, the show star is equipped with sports seats incorporating a rigid titanium fibre shell.

Reflecting the matt paint finish of the exterior, the cabin has a back-to-basics feel. With no rear seats, the load floor offers flexible attachments for fixing sports kit, while an aluminium structure is designed to carry mountain bikes.

Fiat also took the wraps off its extreme Panda Cross Dakar 2007 at the Bologna exhibition. Powered by a 1.3-litre turbodiesel engine, the motorsport model is designed to take part in next year's rugged Dakar Rally.