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Tweaked Panda gains auto ‘box

Fiat’s pint-sized Panda pulls up for a makeover and line-up shuffle, now adding a little auto to the mix, too.

The acclaimed Fiat Panda sees revisions to its South African line-up for this model year with a few styling tweaks punctuating changes to the engine line-up.

Although styling changes are kept to a minimum, they include a tweaked front grille with larger colour-coded inserts, revised headlight lenses, new colour-coded wing mirrors and new wheel covers.

The cabin gains new seat trim with padded and upholstered headrests, while four new colours - Magenta, Goldmetal Blue (dark), Cha Cha Azure (light metallic blue) and Tropicalia Yellow – are offered. The optional roof rail is now finished in brushed stainless steel.



Apart from the style update, Panda has also seen a shift in its line-up. The 1.1 Active and 4x4 Climbing models have been axed and replaced with a 1.2 Dynamic model in manual and automatic guises.

This 1.2-litre engine delivers 44kW and 102 Nm from its eight-valve engine. The firebreathing 1.4 100HP model remains unchanged, though.

The 1.2 uses a Dualogic transmission, which is essentially a clutchless, five-speed sequential manual ‘box with two operating modes selectable for semi-automatic and automatic operation. It retains some key attributes of a manual gearbox though, namely its low weight and fuel economy. Claimed fuel consumption is 5.6l/100 km for both manual and automatic versions of the new car.

The 1.2 Dynamic comes with ABS and EBD, dual front airbags, electric power steering with City function, air conditioning, audio system with a front loading CD, rear headrests, electric windows at the front and an on board computer.

Prices:
1.2 Dynamic manual - R125 900
1.2 Dynamic MTA - R141 000
1.4 16v 100HP - R154 200



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