THE Fiat Panda might not be one of the most attractive cars on the road - depending on your definition of beauty - but it's a pretty little thing when it comes to driveability.
THE Fiat Panda might not be one of the most attractive cars on the road - depending on your definition of beauty - but it's a pretty little thing when it comes to driveability.
While serving the good purpose of being a reliable day-to-day car and family carrier, the Panda is also a funky-looking car that will easily grow on you.
You must be thinking I have gone out of my mind. Not at all, the Panda might look small but its interior is surprisingly spacious and will surprise even the harshest of critics.
I am generally not very fond of small cars - those that make me feel claustrophobic and moody - but the Panda is somehow different.
Another thing. Its dash-mounted gear lever makes for easy gear change and control.
Our test model was a 1,2-litre Dynamic and it blew my mind away. I expected the 1,2-litre to drive as slowly as a 90-year-old granny trying to outrun 200m specialist Maria Mutola.
But that was not to be. The Panda ran its race and finished with dignity - though not finishing the fastest. It has all the necessary features that are required by today's driver to survive city life.
These include electric windows, a radio-CD player and aircon.
No wonder it was Europe's best-selling car last year.
But, I couldn't shake the feeling of the "girly" label attached to the Panda.
Though it drives well and can be used by both sexes, it still seems a perfect fit for a smart young woman's garage.
Let's just say this Fiat is in touch with its feminine side.
The Panda is also well- equipped in the safety department. It comes standard with ABS (with EBD), dual-front airbags, remote central locking and a rolling code immobiliser.
Like I say, the Panda knows its way around.
kindly panda
THE Fiat Panda might not be one of the most attractive cars on the road - depending on your definition of beauty - but it's a pretty little thing when it comes to driveability.
THE Fiat Panda might not be one of the most attractive cars on the road - depending on your definition of beauty - but it's a pretty little thing when it comes to driveability.
While serving the good purpose of being a reliable day-to-day car and family carrier, the Panda is also a funky-looking car that will easily grow on you.
You must be thinking I have gone out of my mind. Not at all, the Panda might look small but its interior is surprisingly spacious and will surprise even the harshest of critics.
I am generally not very fond of small cars - those that make me feel claustrophobic and moody - but the Panda is somehow different.
Another thing. Its dash-mounted gear lever makes for easy gear change and control.
Our test model was a 1,2-litre Dynamic and it blew my mind away. I expected the 1,2-litre to drive as slowly as a 90-year-old granny trying to outrun 200m specialist Maria Mutola.
But that was not to be. The Panda ran its race and finished with dignity - though not finishing the fastest. It has all the necessary features that are required by today's driver to survive city life.
These include electric windows, a radio-CD player and aircon.
No wonder it was Europe's best-selling car last year.
But, I couldn't shake the feeling of the "girly" label attached to the Panda.
Though it drives well and can be used by both sexes, it still seems a perfect fit for a smart young woman's garage.
Let's just say this Fiat is in touch with its feminine side.
The Panda is also well- equipped in the safety department. It comes standard with ABS (with EBD), dual-front airbags, remote central locking and a rolling code immobiliser.
Like I say, the Panda knows its way around.