The A-segment is the first category in the passenger car classification system defined by the European Commission . It is used for city cars , the smallest category of passenger cars defined.
66-512: The Suzuki Splash is a city car that was introduced to the market in 2008. It was jointly developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation and Opel GmbH , which marketed their version under the name of Agila . Its debut as a concept car took place at the 2006 Paris Motor Show , making its production form debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show . In the European market lineup, the Splash was positioned below
132-507: A catalytic converter ) or an all-new 1108 cc FIRE unit, fitted with electronic fuel injection and a three-way catalytic converter and producing 51 bhp (38 kW). The new CLX trim also featured a five-speed gearbox as standard. The range now comprised the 750 Young (769 cc ohv), 750 and 750 CLX (both 769 cc FIRE sohc), 900 Dance (903 cc ohv), 1000 Shopping, CLX, CL Selecta and S (all with 999 cc sohc, available with or without SPI and catalytic converter depending on
198-474: A solid axle suspended on leaf springs . Later versions added mechanical improvements while retaining a robust simplicity throughout its model life. Launch models included the Panda 30 , powered by a longitudinally-mounted air cooled 652 cc straight-two-cylinder engine derived from the 126, and the Panda 45 , with a transversely-mounted water cooled 903 cc ( FIAT 100 series ) four-cylinder from
264-403: A certi scopi». The Panda is like a pair of jeans: a simple, practical article of clothing without pretense. I tried to give it the essential quality of a military design — in particular a helicopter: something light, rational, and optimized for a specific purpose. One of the more noted design features was a highly flexible interior including a seven-position adjustable rear seat that could, via
330-663: A comprehensive study of the Panda's competition — as well as a series of tempera renderings by Giugiaro. Under the prototyping designation Progetto 141, Fiat subsequently commissioned Italdesign to create production studies, a master model, provisional tooling and pre-production prototypes. Within a year, Italdesign had made 20 rolling chassis. In February 1978, Fiat test-marketed prototypes to potential customers and dealers — at an unpublicized event in Milan's Novegro Park. On response cards distributed by FIAT's sales department, participants gauged
396-606: A conventional floor-mounted gearstick. Financially troubled Fiat needed the new Panda to be a success, and it sold half a million units by October 2005. It sells particularly well in Italy (over half of the cars produced are sold in Italy), being seen as closer to a spiritual successor to the Fiat 500 than a replacement for either the Seicento or the old Panda. Top Gear Motoring Survey in 2006 ranked
462-510: A higher trim level which explains why some cars have rear wash wipe, later interiors with tipping front seats, and the option of a full canvas sunroof. The Fiat Style Centre and Carrozerria Maggiora also commissioned 40 convertible "service cars" for the Cup. The Agnelli family and Juventus gave one of these to each of the players who took part in the Nazionale , with the player's name on the side. Twelve of
528-428: A long, flexible storage pocket — accompanied by rigid plastic door storage pockets. A simple ashtray could slide along the support tube or be detached completely. Cargo volume could accommodate 280 litres within the trunk area or could expand to 1000 litres with the rear seat removed — in either case unencumbered by the spare wheel, which was stored in the engine compartment. Exposed painted sheet metal comprised much of
594-457: A manufacturer for the highly simplified glass. The engine bay was designed to accept either a transverse or longitudinal engine configuration: in practice, the simple sheet metal, body-colored, asymmetrical grille (derived during the design process by folding a piece of paper) was positioned either with its intake on the left for the air-cooled Panda 30 and on the right for the water-cooled Panda 45. The bodyside panels were continuously welded to
660-416: A new ZDI variant, three new colors, and improved fuel efficiency . The Maruti Suzuki Ritz 2015 model was launched with a redesigned trim. The technical specifications remain unchanged. As part of the upgrades the vehicle received a new front fascia with a new grille, headlamps and bumpers. The vehicle is also sports new optional alloy wheels, new seat upholstery, and a new infotainment system. In Indonesia,
726-580: A result of increasing costs to comply with stricter safety and especially emissions standards, which makes minicars nearly unprofitable, especially considering that for most models from European brands this is the only market. In the United States, minicar segment cars represented 0.5% of the market share. In 2020 the highest selling minicar segment cars in the U.S. were the Chevrolet Spark , Mitsubishi Mirage and Mini Cooper . In India, historically
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#1733085998168792-403: A series of adjustable lateral tubes, fold flat into a provisional bed, fold into a V shape to support awkward loads, or easily and quickly be removed altogether to increase the overall load space. Foregoing sprung upholstery, simple padded fabric seat covers, and fabric door trim could be removed and washed. Likewise, the dashboard used a padded, washable fabric supported by a simple tube, creating
858-513: A specially built SEAT Panda. After Fiat sold their share in SEAT and the licence agreement ended, the whole Fiat-based line of SEAT cars was quickly given minor facelifts. The SEAT Panda had its bonnet, bumpers, and rear tailgate redesigned. From 1986, when it received a second facelift, it was known as the SEAT Marbella until the end of production in 1998. Emelba also produced a roofless version called
924-401: A third in 2020, which translates to nearly 400,000 fewer sales and means the segment loses market share as the overall market is down 24%. As a result, this segment now makes up 6.8% of the total European car market, down from 7.7% last year. And their share is expected to shrink further in coming years, as manufacturers are pulling out of this segment or switching their models to EV-only. This is
990-458: A version of the Panda between 1980 and 1986, based on the first Panda model. It was called SEAT Panda . SEAT also made a tiny, tall delivery version of the Panda called the SEAT Trans. Up to 1983, SEAT made rebadged versions of Fiat cars through a licence agreement between the two firms. Thus, there existed a Spanish version of the Panda. When Pope John Paul II visited Spain in 1982, he rode in
1056-498: Is a city car manufactured and marketed by Fiat since 1980, currently in its third generation. The first generation Panda, introduced in 1980 as the Mk1, was a two-box , three-door hatchback designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani of Italdesign and was manufactured through 2003 — receiving an all-wheel drive variant in 1983. SEAT of Spain marketed a variation of the first generation Panda under license to Fiat, initially as
1122-490: Is around 14.5 km/L, and 18 km/L on highways. The diesel variants of Maruti Ritz are powered by Fiat's 1.3-liter Multijet turbodiesel engine. This engine delivers 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) power of 4000 rpm with 190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) of torque of 2000 rpm. The mileage it delivers is 17.7 km/L in the city and on the highway: 21 km/L. A refreshed Ritz was launched in India in 2012. This version sports
1188-601: Is marketed as Grande Panda, to differentiate it with the third-generation that is sold alongside it. Developed under Stellantis , the Grande Panda is produced in Serbia. In 40 years, Panda production has reached over 7.8 million, of those, approximately 4.5 million were the first generation. In early 2020, its 23-year production was counted as the twenty-ninth most long-lived single generation car in history by Autocar . During its initial design phase, Italdesign referred to
1254-735: The Panda and subsequently as the Marbella (1986–1998). The second-generation Panda, launched in 2003 as a 5-door hatchback, was designed by Giuliano Biasio of Bertone , and won the European Car of the Year in 2004. The third-generation Panda debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011, was designed at Fiat Centro Stilo under the direction of Roberto Giolito and remains in production in Italy at Pomigliano d'Arco . The fourth-generation Panda
1320-525: The Panda name, but acquiesced when Fiat made a substantial financial contribution. As local custom allowed the writing of a check on any surface, Fiat delivered the contribution, written on the hood of an actual Panda. In the two months following the Geneva Motor Show, Fiat received over 70,000 orders. Following the brief of creating a straightforward, practical design in the vein of the Citroën 2CV and
1386-558: The Paris Motor Show later in 1982, with previous specification models continuing as the "Comfort" trim. The Super offered an optional five-speed gearbox. Minor styling changes to the Super included Fiat's revised corporate grille with five diagonal silver bars. The earlier grille design (metal with slots on the left for ventilation) continued on the Comfort models until the next major revision of
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#17330859981681452-677: The Renault 4 , Italdesign's work highlighted utilitarian practicality throughout the design. Just prior to the Panda's debut at the 1980 Geneva Salon de l'Auto, Giugiaro described his design intent in a 1980 interview with Turinese newspaper La Stampa , published in February 1980: «La Panda (...) è come un paio di jeans, che sono poi un vestire semplice, pratico, senza fronzoli. (...) Ho cercato di portare in questa auto lo spìrito delle costruzioni militari, in particolare degli elicotteri, ossia di mezzi leggeri, razionali, nati per assolvere nel modo migliore
1518-618: The Swift and used a shortened wheelbase version of its chassis. In the Japanese market lineup, however, the car was situated between the Swift and the Suzuki Solio . The model was launched with three versions of petrol engines, a three-cylinder 1.0 liter and two four-cylinder 1.2 liter (1197 cc and 1242 cc) K engines , and a four-cylinder 1.3-liter version of Fiat 's MultiJet turbo-diesel engine. The Splash
1584-455: The "CIAO" logo on the rear quarter panels), a custom interior fabric (Azzurri blue fabric with "CIAO" logos stitched on the back panels - the Italian football team wears blue), a tricolour shield motif on the grille and perhaps the most well known feature - the football hubcaps. Some European markets got solid white hubcaps instead. In Italy and Germany buyers were able to choose an Italia'90 based on
1650-499: The 'Cafe' special edition. This was a reduced capacity 903 cc unit, designed to meet tax requirements in some markets. Non-catalyzed versions were withdrawn about this time. In January 2001, the range underwent its final light adjustment. The 4x4 Trekking continued to be available, while front-wheel-drive versions were down to the Young and the Hobby. The 899 cc was discontinued and only
1716-459: The 127. As a consequence of the different drivetrain layout the 45 had the radiator grille to the right side, the 30 to the left. In September 1982 Fiat added another engine to the line-up: the Panda 34 used an 843 cc water-cooled unit, derived from that in the 850 . It was originally reserved for export to France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Fiat launched the Panda 45 Super at
1782-552: The A-segment cars had the highest sales. Sales have been in decline in recent years, falling from 70,000 sales per month in 2014 to 47,000 sales per month in 2016. As of 2019, several A-segment cars had successes outside Europe, such as Hyundai Grand i10 , Honda Brio , Kia Picanto , Tata Tiago , Toyota Wigo , Suzuki Celerio , Suzuki Wagon R , Suzuki/Maruti Alto , Ford Figo , Smart ForTwo , Citroën C1 , Peugeot 108 , and modern Fiat 500 . Fiat Panda The Fiat Panda
1848-643: The Euro ;3 capable, fuel-injected 1108 cc FIRE unit remained available. These Pandas featured a body-coloured flap for the gas tank, rather than the exposed black plastic cap of earlier models. The Panda was discontinued in the UK in 1995. The car remained in production in Italy until the final car was produced on 5 September 2003. Its total production run of 23 years makes the Fiat Panda one of Europe's longest-produced small cars. Spanish car maker SEAT also produced
1914-490: The Italian Compasso d'Oro ADI industrial design award for the Panda. A less positive reaction to the design came from German magazine Der Spiegel , which in 1980 contrasted Giugiaro defining the Panda as "the most enchanting work of his life", and chief designer Felice Cornacchia describing himself as "proud overall of the car's architecture" to Peter Glodschey, road tester of mass-market Bild newspaper, who likened
1980-566: The Panda's cargo area should accommodate no less than two 50-liter wine demijohns , along with a full complement of passengers. From its inception, the project would use monocoque construction with a nearly flat floor and a sufficiently high roof to accommodate upright seating. Giugiaro and Mantovani completed the design for its 7 August deadline, discovering only then that De Benedetti had left Fiat. Despite De Benedetti's departure, Italdesign presented Fiat with two full-scale models, four alternative side designs, an interior buck or mockup and
2046-526: The Pandita, which was popular as a rental car in resort areas. The SEAT Trans also received a major facelift and was renamed, SEAT Terra. As Fiat and SEAT's licensing agreement had expired in 1986 the Marbella never received the major mechanical upgrades of the facelifted Fiat Panda, instead continuing with the old pushrod Fiat-based engines, quarter light doors, un-galvanised frame, and leaf-sprung suspension as for
Suzuki Splash - Misplaced Pages Continue
2112-434: The Splash was launched on 21 March 2010 and it was imported from India. It was initially offered only with manual transmission. The facelifted Splash was launched in the country on 27 April 2013 and also offered with automatic transmission. Sales ended in 2016. In China, it was released by Changhe Suzuki towards the end of 2010. it was continued to available as Changhe Spla with 1.4-liter petrol engine until 2018 and this car
2178-637: The Termini Imerese Autobianchi di Desio plants. On 26 February 1980 Fiat presented production models to President Sandro Pertini , in the gardens of Rome's Quirinal Palace , and the car officially debuted in Geneva on 5 March — carrying the name Panda , after Empanda , the Roman goddess and patroness of travelers. At the time of its introduction, the World Wildlife Fund had resisted Fiat's using
2244-532: The car as il Zero . Fiat later proposed the name Rustica . Ultimately, the Panda was named after Empanda , the Roman goddess and patroness of travelers. Introduced at the March 1980 Geneva Motor Show , the Panda was internally designated as Type 141 and was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani of the newly formed Italdesign . From its inception, the Panda was designed as an inexpensive, easily maintained, utilitarian, and robustly simple car. Introduced to
2310-451: The car to "a shoe box". In several key markets the Panda's styling would continue to attract mixed reactions as the Uno followed in 1983 and the aggressively boxy look became the house style for Fiats throughout the 1980s. The second generation Mk3 Panda, codenamed Model 169 , debuted in 2003, with almost no direct engineering linkage to the first generation. Until July 31, 2003, the vehicle name
2376-498: The design's exterior and interior appearance and finish, spaciousness, instruments and controls, engine size, price, and its provisional name: Rustica . In January 1979, production was delayed by protracted union negotiations, specifically over Fiat's plans to move production from plants in Cassino, Sulmona and Termini Imerese to Turin and Desio. An agreement was reached between December 1979 and January 1980, with production scheduled for
2442-515: The first 37 months of release. In India, the Maruti Ritz is available in ten specifications; five equipment levels with either petrol or diesel engine options. The petrol variants are powered by Suzuki's 1.2 liter (1197 cc) K12M petrol engine. This light weight all aluminum engine delivers 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) of maximum power at 6000 rpm with 113 N⋅m (83 lb⋅ft) of maximum torque at 4000 rpm. The mileage it delivers on city roads
2508-464: The front fender/wing wheel arches. Front door quarter windows were eliminated. The range included 750L, 750CL, 750S, 1000CL, 1000S, 4x4 models. April 1986 saw the introduction of a 1301 cc diesel engine with 37 PS (27 kW). This was a detuned version of the Brazilian engine also used in the 127/Uno. Fitted as standard with a five-speed gearbox it was only available in the basic "L" trim and
2574-403: The interior's exposed surfaces. The interior rear-view mirror had no day/night adjustment, and fresh air ventilation was oriented solely for demisting the windshield. The instrument cluster did contain an upper heating vent. Without fresh air venting to the interior via dash outlets, side windows featured vent windows and optional pop-out rear windows. Luigi Maglione, Fiat's marketing strategist,
2640-588: The late 1950s, the head of Renault, Pierre Dreyfus , had called for the Renault R4 to have an egalitarian approach, like blue jeans, "which people can wear in any situation if you do away with the pretension of snobbism and social conformity." During the design gestation, Giugiaro took particular inspiration from a folding lounge chair in conceiving the seats of the Zero; simple, easy to maintain, modular, inexpensive to manufacture. To ensure its practicality, he conceived that
2706-524: The line-up. A 30 Super was added in February 1983, offering the Super trim combined with the smaller engine. The Panda 4x4 was launched in June 1983, powered by a 965 cc engine with 48 bhp (36 kW) derived from the Autobianchi A112 or Fiat 100 series engine . Known simply as the Panda 4x4, this model was the first small, transverse-engined production car to have a 4WD system. The system itself
Suzuki Splash - Misplaced Pages Continue
2772-516: The lowest portion of the side panels complemented resin, dent-resistant bumpers. In 2019, an example of the Panda 30 belonging to the FCA Heritage collection was exhibited at the Triennale di Milano . Mechanically the first Pandas shared engines and transmissions with the Fiat 127 and, in certain territories, the air-cooled 652 cc two-cylinder powerplant of the Fiat 126 . Rear suspension used
2838-696: The market in the 2010s. It is approximately equivalent to the kei car class in Japan. As of 2021, the A-segment category size spans from approximately 2.7 metres (110 in) to 3.7 metres (150 in). Body styles for A-segment cars in Europe are always hatchbacks . But as crossovers gain popularity, new models may shift to resemble crossovers. Examples of crossover city cars include Suzuki Ignis and Toyota Aygo X . Other body styles such as sedans are not present in this segment because these shapes largely prove impractical at typical A-segment dimensions. In 2020
2904-420: The market), 1100 CL Selecta (1108 cc sohc with SPI and cat) and the 4x4 Trekking (999 cc, again available with and without a cat depending on the market). The Elettra concluded the range. In 1992, the 1108 cc engine, complete with SPI and catalytic converter, replaced the 999 cc unit in the 4x4 (with 50 bhp) and also in 1992 an 899 cc (with injection and catalyst) became available, in
2970-418: The models. The Mk2 version was internally designated 141A . The 652 cc air-cooled two-cylinder engine was replaced by a 769 cc (34 PS) water-cooled four-cylinder unit, and the 903/965cc by a 999 cc (45 PS, 50 PS (37 kW) in the 4x4) unit. Both new engines were from Fiat's new FIRE family of four-cylinder water-cooled powerplants with a single overhead camshaft. The rear suspension
3036-494: The open-topped cars were driven onto the pitch at the start of each match in each of the stadiums hosting the matches. The two-seat Panda Elettra, introduced in early 1990, added an all-electric power-train to the line. Batteries replaced the rear seats and occupied some of the engine bay where the 19 bhp (14 kW) DC motor was also fitted, driving through the normal clutch and gearbox — with weight increased to 1,150 kg (2,535 lb) (450 kg (992 lb) over than
3102-660: The original model. It was popular in Spain throughout its production life but was less popular on export markets (where the Fiat version was the firm favourite) and by 1996, exports had mostly finished. The first generation Panda met with great success across Europe, polling 2nd in the 1981 European Car of the Year awards in its first full year of production (pipped to first place by the Ford Escort Mark III ) and remaining on sale in some regions until May 2003. In 1981 Giugiaro received
3168-561: The press in December 1979; the first generation went on sale in Italy in late February, ahead of its Geneva première. Fiat launched right-hand drive models for the UK market in May 1981. As the first time Fiat had entrusted the development of a large-scale model to a firm outside the company, Giugiaro and Mantovani spent 15 days in the summer of 1976 in Porto Cervo , Sardinia designing the Panda — using
3234-467: The production of only 500, in 1989 the Sisley model became a permanent model. FIAT was a major sponsor of the 1990 World Cup and the special edition "Italia 90" was sold in multiple European markets during the spring and summer of 1990. In the UK it was based on a standard white 750 cc Panda L, and included unique graphics (a green and red pin stripe creating the tricolour of the Italian flag and
3300-439: The roof panel and covered with a full-length black moulding — eliminating an expensive sheet metal fold, self-forming a rain gutter, and improving aerodynamics. Owing to the car's flat sides, the lower section of the doors were corrugated to give them additional strength and to resist "drumming". Much like earlier French counterparts, the Panda could be specified with a two-piece roll forward canvas roof. A scratch-resistant paint on
3366-408: The second generation Fiat Multipla . The Panda won the European Car of the Year award in 2004. The Panda includes an option for split rear seats, which makes the Panda a four-seater. Since September 2005, all Pandas are equipped with ABS , EBD and at least one front airbag. The gear-lever is located high on the central dashboard, which is designed to make changing gears more comfortable than with
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#17330859981683432-474: The standard model, necessitating stiffer suspension and uprated brakes. Range was limited, at 100 km (60 mi) at a steady 50 km/h (31 mph). In city driving, the range dropped to 70 km (43 mi). Top speed was a mere 65 km/h (40 mph). A full charge took 8 hours using a standard household outlet. 1992 revisions to the Elettra saw the power increased to 24 PS (18 kW) and
3498-460: The ten highest selling A-segment cars in Europe were Fiat Panda , Fiat 500 , Toyota Aygo , Renault Twingo , Volkswagen Up! , Hyundai i10 , Kia Picanto , Peugeot 108 , Citroën C1 and Suzuki Ignis . 100,000 - 200,000 sales (Best-Selling) 50,000 - 100,000 sales 10,000 - 50,000 sales rank (2021–2022) 2019 - In 2019, sales of minicars were down 2% compared to a total market gain of 1% which means this segment now makes up 7.7% of
3564-428: The total European car market at 1.21 million sales, down from 8% in 2018. And with margins on minicars under pressure due to increased costs to comply with stricter safety and emissions standards, manufacturers are scaling back investments in to minicars or switching to an EV-only strategy. In Italy, A-segment cars represented 16.4% of car sales in the first half of 2019. 2020 - European sales of minicars were down by
3630-404: The weight reduced, though the Elettra remained significantly heavier than the standard Panda. This, limited range and speed, and the steep price (25.600.000 lire in Italy, three times the price of the Panda 750 Young) made it a commercial failure. Nickel–cadmium batteries would have made the car lighter and improved performance and range, but would have increased the price even more. The Elettra
3696-400: The working name Zero . Giugiaro developed the packaging and styling; Mantovani conceived the car's technical approach. Fiat CEO Carlo De Benedetti 's design brief specified a straightforward 'container' with a spacious and spartan interior, weighing and costing no more than the Fiat 126 it was replacing — and having a similar design approach as the Citroën 2CV or Renault 4 . Notably, in
3762-477: Was added to the range. This was essentially an L spec car with a 769 cc OHV engine based on the old 903 cc push-rod FIAT 100 engine and producing the same 34 bhp (25 kW) as the more sophisticated 769 cc FIRE unit. The Panda 4x4 Sisley limited edition was also released, based on the standard 4x4, with metallic paint, inclinometer, white painted wheels, roof rack, headlamp washers, bonnet scoop, "Sisley" badging and trim. Although originally limited to
3828-647: Was also marketed as the Vauxhall Agila in the United Kingdom and as the Opel Agila in other European markets. It has different front and rear end styling. The Splash was introduced to the Japanese market on 20 October 2008, available with the 1.2-litre engine. Maruti Suzuki released the Splash in India as Maruti Suzuki Ritz . Maruti Suzuki changed its name because the name "Splash" was already registered by Ford in that market. More than 200,000 Ritz were sold within
3894-619: Was also offered in South American market. The Splash also went on sale in New Zealand in 2011. The Splash was discontinued in Europe at the end of 2014. It was replaced by the second generation Ignis in early 2016. The Splash was also discontinued in Indonesia in June 2016, while the Ritz was discontinued in India in February 2017. City car A-segment sales represented approximately 7–8% of
3960-502: Was also upgraded, the rigid axle with leaf springs being replaced by a more modern dependent suspension system known as the "Omega axle", consisting of a non-straight rigid axle with a central mounting and coil springs (first seen on the Lancia Y10 , which used the same platform). The 4x4 retained the leaf-sprung live axle set-up. The body was strengthened and fully-galvanised on later models, rear quarter panels received wheel arches mirroring
4026-450: Was available until 1989 (until 1994 in the van versions). A van variant of the Panda was introduced, with both petrol and diesel engines. The van eliminated rear seats and featured rear windows replaced with plastic blanking panels and a small, black, steel extension with side hinged doors —in lieu of a hatch tailgate. Neither the van nor the diesel was available in right-hand-drive markets. In 1987, an entry-level model badged "Panda Young"
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#17330859981684092-417: Was discontinued in 1998. 1991, revisions included a front grille with a smaller five-bar corporate badge, as well as revisions to trim and specifications across the range. New arrivals included the 'Selecta', which had a continuously variable transmission with an electromagnetic clutch. This transmission was available either with the normal 999 cc FIRE engine (revised with single-point fuel injection and
4158-408: Was fitted to the reinforced bodyshell. In November 1984 trim levels were named "L", "CL", and "S". Specifications and detailing were modified across the range, using the Fiat corporate grille on all trims. Mechanically the range remained largely unchanged. In January 1986, the Panda received a complete change with visual, mechanical and chassis changes — with the majority of parts incompatible between
4224-399: Was manually selectable, with an ultra-low first gear. Under normal (on-road) conditions starting was from second, with the fifth gear having the same ratio as fourth in the normal Panda. Austrian company Steyr-Puch supplied the entire drivetrain (clutch, gearbox, power take-off, three-piece prop shaft, rear live axle including differential and brakes) to the plant at Termini Imerese where it
4290-623: Was meant to be Fiat Gingo . After a request from Renault because Gingo sounded too similar to the name of its own small car, the Twingo , Fiat eventually changed the name of its city car. In 2004, the new Panda was awarded the Compasso d'Oro industrial design award. Like the smaller Fiat Seicento , the Panda was manufactured only in Tychy , Poland, by Fiat Auto Poland . The high-bodied Panda takes styling cues from mini MPVs and mini SUVs , especially
4356-609: Was perplexed when first seeing the interior design, suggesting the interior mock-up was missing. Fiat's new CEO, Nicola Tufarelli clarified that the rustic interiors were in fact the final design, ready for launch. With an overall aerodynamic coefficient lower than the Fiat 127 's, in spite of the blocky shape, the first Pandas featured a recess in the adjacent bodywork rather than door handles. It has completely flat glass in all windows — weighing less and making them inexpensive to manufacture, as well as easy to replace and interchangeable left to right. Fiat, in fact, had difficulty finding
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