This public and critical success rewards, above all, the extraordinary ability of the Panda template to extend itself and generate new versions: the tiny 'ready for anything' 4x4, the funky Alessi version, the entertaining Panda Active and the well-appointed Panda Emotion - not to mention the Panda Cross and Panda Monster and the brand new 'Panda Panda' and Panda 100 HP and a host of concept cars created on the same base: the outgoing Panda Jolly and Panda Luxury, the cutting-edge Panda Hydrogen and the adventurous Panda Terramare. Young drivers are also able to race the Panda Rally in the Fiat Panda Rally Cup 2006, the second successful edition of the rally that will help launch them on a racing career.



A robust design for a top quality car

A robust design that only ever had one aim: i.e. to create a vehicle that represents a true leap forward in the supermini category and makes Fiat its indisputable leader. To do this, Fiat deployed its best resources and poured maximum quality and reliability into the entire product development and construction process. It also developed a profitable co-operative relationship with its outside suppliers.
These efforts resulted in innovative ideas that the Panda can take credit for introducing into this sector. Examples include the smaller number of dashboard components and the increased structural strength of the dashboard beam: this means fewer noises and squeaks and hence a much more silent passenger compartment interior. This new driving comfort is further enhanced by the body's torsional stiffness that also plays a leading role as far as safety is concerned. The result achieved by FIAT Panda is 70,500 Nm/radiant: this outstanding result at the peak of its category helps determine the car's great stability and roadholding properties. The number of body weld spots is also 7% higher than on previous models to ensure the car is more compact and more durable.

FIAT Panda is created from a robust design that makes quality one of its strengths. Cutting edge reliability methods (FMEA, Robust Design) have been used throughout the design and industrialisation stage. Eighty vehicles also performed several road tests to cover a total of one million six hundred thousand kilometres. In the end, the huge amount of data collected and experience gained will increase Fiat Auto's know-how and act as a starting point for the introduction of new models.

The car is assembled in Tychy in southern Poland. The plant is organised on integrated factory principles and adopts state-of-the-art technologies that assure the product the highest quality and safety standards. At the end of the car's life, all its component materials can be reused.

Quality and reliability are about more than mere statistics. We also gain important impressions when we see and touch the passenger compartment of a car. When we observe the parts, make ourselves comfortable on the seats, hold the steering wheel and seek out the storage compartments, we can appreciate the pleasing feel of the environment and the quality of the trim and finish. All these sensations add up to 'perceived quality'.

The overall impression comes from a blend of a thousand different aspects: these include the shape of items, their constituent materials, individual colours and colour matches and the tactile sensations they arouse. Stimuli that all play an equal part in determining overall perception. For this reason, long hours went into the design of each individual detail of the Fiat Panda. The result is a passenger compartment of quality and substance dominated by pale coloured trim to make the car look brighter. Everything is emphasised by darker-coloured controls and the harmonious design of each surface. The final perception is of great sophistication and elegance more typical of a higher segment car. For example, the facia is embossed to ensure a more even surface finish and increase the sensation of opulence. This has been achieved through a special laser technology that creates surface microroughness that alters the way light is refracted and makes the material more pleasurable to the touch. The New Panda is also the only car in its category with 99% of the interior metal covered by trim, just as you would expect of a higher segment car. The basic premise is clear: to ensure that everything you see and touch looks and feels good. This approach is confirmed in every part.

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