Fiat Panda Cross Goes on Sale in the UK

Fiat’s stylish version of the Panda 4x4 has finally crossed the English Channel offering UK buyers an alternative proposition in the mini SUV segment. The Panda Cross, which has been available for quite some time in other European markets, stands out from the Panda 4x4 thanks to the new fascia with round light units, the chunky side protection strips in contrasting colours, roof-bars, 15-inch alloys, round taillights and new bumpers. Inside the Cross comes equipped with special two-tone interior trims.

The Panda Cross gets a permanent four-wheel drive system with a viscous coupling and an electronic differential lock while power is provided by Fiat’s 70HP 1.3-liter turbo diesel engine. According to Fiat, the Panda Cross returns 42.1 mpg UK on the urban cycle, 67.3 mpg UK extra-urban, and 54.3 mpg UK (45.2 mpg US) combined. The CO₂ figure is 136 g/km. -Continued

Priced from 11,995 GBP on-the-road, The mini SUV’s standard equipment list includes ESP, air conditioning, radio and MP3-compatible CD player with steering wheel audio controls, and electric power steering.

Blind Justice? Chinese Court Dismisses Fiat’s Claims Against Great Wall

Just a week after a Turin court banned Great Wall from importing the GWPeri into Europe on the basis that it closely resembled Fiat's Panda minicar, and a Chinese court in Hong Kong dismissed Fiat’s claims for infringement by the Chinese car maker. Reuters also reported that Fiat was ordered by the Shijiazhuang Intermediate People's Court to pay 8,800 yuan or about $1,300 in legal fees. As you can see in these pictures here, apparently justice is blind in China...

China’s Great Wall Banned from Importing Panda Clone to Europe

Following in the footsteps of BMW that managed to stop the Chinese Shuanghuan CEO SUV from being imported into Germany, Fiat has won a court order against China’s auto manufacturer Great Wall Motors (GWM) banning the latter from bringing the GWPeri to Europe. The Italian carmaker had sued GWM both in Italy and China. In the case of the Turin court, it was ruled that the GWPeri looked to close for comfort with the Italian carmaker’s Panda minicar –wonder why…

Under the ruling, Great Wall Motors (see the clones here) should pay a €15,000 or $28,000 fine for importing the first example into Europe. If the Chinese carmaker decides to violate the ruling, GWM will be fined a further €50,000 per car brought into the region. Images of both the GWPeri and the Fiat Panda after the jump. -Continued

GWPeri

Fiat Panda

New Fiat Panda Eco with 5.0lt/100 km or 47MPG Avg. Consumption

As its name suggests, the newest addition in the Fiat Panda family is an eco-friendly model with low CO2 emissions and reduced fuel consumption. Based on the Panda 1.1, the 54Hp strong Eco emits 119 g/km of CO2 and features an average consumption in the combined cycle of 5.0 lt/100 km or 47MPG (US). That’s compared to the standard Panda 1.1’s 132 g/km of CO2 and 5.6 lt/100 km.

To achieve these figures, Fiat’s engineers improved the Panda 1.1’s aerodynamics, updated the engine’s electronic control unit, replaced the oil inside the transmission with one that produces less friction and finally, used a set of low rolling resistance tires. Prices for the Fiat Panda in Italy start from €8,830 (about $14,000).

Fiat Launches Special Edition Panda Mamy…

The Panda Mamy is a new limited edition version of Fiat’s city car aimed at young mothers. Based on the 1.2-litre Panda Dynamic, the new Panda Mamy attempts to allure UK mommies through the use of specific colours and materials as well as its useful standard equipment that includes a second internal rear-view mirror for viewing any children on the rear seat and bag hooks in the boot. -Continued

Moreover, the Mamy gets new front seat covers with pockets at the back, washable front and rear seat upholstery, orange air-vent surrounds and special carpet mats with a high grip mat in the boot.

The newest addition in the Panda range is available in two new exterior colours, aubergine and orange (as well as the existing black and grey) the body-colouring is extended to the door handles, door mirrors and boot handle. Unique Mamy logos also feature under each of the front wing indicators.

Although the Mamy comes with more than £1,000 worth of extra equipment, it costs £8,200 or 5 quid less than the Panda Dynamic Aircon model upon it is based.