PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Fiat's Panda 4x4 bamboozles show-goers
From out of nowhere, the shy but off-road ready Panda descended to the stage in its first public outingFiat brand CEO Olivier Francois fronted what was possibly the most entertaining presentation of the Paris Auto Salon media day for the launch of the Fiat Panda 4x4 and 500L.
The family-friendly 500L was introduced with a charming TV commercial featuring kids in the back seat imagining common objects resized by 'stretching' them in the mind's eye between thumb and forefinger. So suitcases were shrunk down to size, as was the fuel hose at the service station bowser, while mum's belly expanded as the kids imagined a fifth member of the family on the way. With its perky soundtrack it was clever and amusing, and needed nothing further in the way of explanation.
But it was the Panda 4x4, Fiat's new, small off-roader, that was the star of the Fiat stand. When Mr. Francois gave the word, the stage hands deployed the de rigeur dry ice and the sound mixers stepped up the musical accompaniment as the stage floor began to rise in the form of a ramp. After around 15 seconds the ramp had risen to an open door revealing the first of three of the new cars, which proceeded to descend to the stage and along a runway.
It was an impressive spectacle for the car Fiat is promoting as a truly capable off-road vehicle. The Panda 4x4 is around the same size as Ford's EcoSport and the Holden Trax, neither of which have yet been launched in Australia. As we reported earlier, the Panda 4x4 is under consideration for Australia.
Read more Paris Motor Show stories at motoring.com.au
See all the photos from the Paris Motor Show at motoring.com.au
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
