Abarth Panda for £15k

Hot Fiat Panda is planned, and it will be powered by an uprated version of its turbo TwinAir engine

Auto Express Car Reviews

14th November 2011

The Fiat Panda is set to get a hot new personality as part of a makeover led by Abarth.

Auto Express can exclusively reveal the car will be powered by a tuned version of Fiat’s 875cc two-cylinder turbo TwinAir engine. It’s expected to offer at least 110bhp – enough for 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds.

Top speed will be 110mph, while fuel economy will remain impressive at 60mpg. The same engine is set to feature in the new Panda 4x4.

The flagship Panda is tipped to hit showrooms some time in 2013, and will be the first Abarth-tuned car to feature this engine. Prices have yet to be officially discussed, although the entry-level car is likely to cost around £15,000.

For that, owners will be offered Abarth’s trademark white and red paint scheme (as shown in our exclusive image), as well as an extensive bodykit, with large wings and spoilers. Colour-coded bodywork and 16-inch alloy wheels will also feature.

In transforming the Panda’s driving experience from mild to wild, the Abarth tuning arm will also include upgraded brakes and lowered, stiffened suspension.

Inside the makeover will continue, with the new car getting bucket seats, a sports steering wheel and short-throw gearlever. Optional extras are expected to include a louder exhaust system, plus larger 17-inch alloy wheels.

A top-of-the-range Abarth Panda, wearing the Esseesse badge, is also being considered. The name is reserved for the brand’s most outrageous and powerful cars.

The Panda will slot into the Abarth range alongside the 500 and Punto Evo. Both are powered by a 1.4-litre turbo engine offering between 135bhp and 180bhp.

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4 Comments

This is more like it.

The new Pands's body shape was a backwards step. A distinctive style being reduced to a blob by injudicios rounding.

This Abarth body is what the Panda should have looked like - Lets hope some of it's elements find their way into the standard model, so that it can compete with the VAG GO and it's clones

By smike on 15 November, 2011, 10:44am

An Abarth Panda...

looks like fun!

By cousins11 on 15 November, 2011, 8:58pm

WTF?

@Smike - when you say "Abarth Body" what do you mean? this is the new Panda with a paint job and big wheels?

By JamesRiley on 16 November, 2011, 6:04pm

Lipstick on a pig, anyone?

What's the point of creating an Abarth Panda? The 100HP did the job perfectly, turning a boxy little runabout into a fast, boxy little runabout. Turning the knob up to 11, or 110, does not an Abarth make.
If the 500, which is built on the same platform, uses 135 or 160bhp engines, why can't the Panda? But even if it does get a decent engine, it will still be boring-looking.

By snappyuk on 21 November, 2011, 12:55pm

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Abarth Panda for £15k