Panda priced from $16,500 drive-away

Fiat Australia has come out swinging with the release of its all-new Panda, offering the entry-level Panda Pop with a drive-away price of $16,500.

The third-generation Panda, which has been on sale in Europe since 2011, will arrive in local showrooms from this month (October). It will be sold in four grades and with three engine choices, though many of these are model specific.

Given its competitive entry price, the Panda could be expected to compete against light-size hatches and SUVs alike, though unlike many high-riding class competitors, the Panda is strictly a two-wheel drive proposition.

The Panda, which shares its underpinnings with the Fiat 500, will be offered with a similar range of engines. These include 0.9-litre two-cylinder or 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engines and lone 1.3-litre turbo-diesel.

Depending on model grade, the Panda is offered with a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed robotised ‘automatic’ transmission.

At the entry end, the Panda Pop arrives priced at $16,500 drive-away. It is offered exclusively with a (51kW/102Nm) 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and five-speed manual gearbox.

Its equipment list includes such features as 14-inch steel wheels (space -saver spare), daytime running lights, fabric seats, manual air-conditioning, remote central locking, front power windows and a height-adjustable steering column.

The infotainment package is a four-speaker audio system with CD and MP3 playback, AM/FM tuner, Bluetooth connectivity and USB and auxiliary inputs.

Second-tier Panda Easy is motivated by Fiat’s (63kW/145Nm) 0.9-litre two-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and is offered with the choice of five-speed manual or five-speed robotised manual transmission.

In manual guise, the Panda Easy is priced from $19,000 (plus on-road costs) while the robotised manual version retails from $20,500 (plus ORCs).

In addition to those features listed for the Panda Pop, Panda Easy adds coloured side mirrors, roof rails, a Comfort Kit -- comprising rear grab handles, driver’s side glasses holder and height-adjustable front seatbelts -- idle-stop and rear parking sensors.

The audio unit remains basically unchanged, save for two additional speakers.

On the third rung, the Panda Lounge arrives with the same twin-cylinder engine of the Panda Easy, but this time is offered only with the robotised manual transmission.

Priced from $22,500 (plus ORCs), its feature list adds body-coloured door-handles, 15-inch alloy wheels (again with a space-saver spare), side body mouldings, front fog lights, tinted windows, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gloss black dash trim, climate-control, electric mirrors and a Low Speed Collision Mitigation (LSCM) system.

Fiat Australia says its pair of petrol engine offerings is capable of achieving a combined cycle fuel economy figure from as low as 4.1L/100km for the two-cylinder version and 5.2L/100km for four-cylinder models. CO2 emissions are rated at 95g/km and 120g/km respectively.

The only diesel model in the line-up, which is offered exclusively in combination with the high-grade Panda Trekking, is priced from $24,000 (plus ORCs).

Motivation comes from a (55kW/190Nm) 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged four-cylinder which is coupled exclusively to a five-speed manual gearbox. It consumes just 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle and emits 109g/km of CO2.

In addition to those features listed for the Panda Lounge, Panda Trekking adds a model-specific body kit, high-rise centre console, advanced Traction Plus traction control system, heated windscreen and heated front seats. Unfortunately, it omits the city-savvy LSCM system of the Panda Lounge.

All models arrive exclusive of metallic paint, which attracts a $500 premium, while a Tom Tom dash-top satellite-navigation unit is available optionally on all grades for $540.50.

“The Fiat 500 is still having a huge wave effect in this market and we expect that the Panda will be received just as well,” said Veronica Johns, Fiat Chrysler Group Australia President and CEO.

“Panda is for the savvy consumer out there. It makes a strong statement. It leaves an imprint in your mind and we’re really excited to announce the price for Panda Pop is $16,500 drive-away.”

2013 Fiat Panda pricing:
Panda Pop $16,500 (man, drive-away)
Panda Easy $19,000 (man) / $20,500 (auto)
Panda Lounge $22,500 (auto only)
Panda Trekking $24,000 (man only)

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