Newtechfresh | Consumer Electronics Guide: FIAT PANDA

Chrysler's partner in crime will be heading to next month's Geneva Motor Show with the new Fiat Panda Cross, a styled up version of the Panda 4x4, in its hands.The Cross model owes its more rugged looks to a new front end featuring plenty of plastic cladding and a skid plate in a satin titanium color, with the same materials used on the profile trims and the rear end of the car. Fiat also modified the tail lamps and added bigger roof rails and different 15-inch alloy wheels in a dark titanium finish.
There are no pictures of the interior yet, but Fiat tells us it revised the trim and colors, while also adding automatic climate control and the Blue&Me infotainment system with steering wheel controls.
The jacked up suspension works together with an ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system with ELD (Electronic Locking Differential) function, and standard all-wheel drive with a selector that allows the driver to choose from three different modes, including Auto, Lock (four-wheel drive always active), and Hill Descent.
According to Fiat, compared to the Panda 4×4, the Panda Cross boasts better approach and exit angles at 24 degrees and 33 degrees respectively.
Engine choices include an 80PS (79hp) 1.3-liter MultiJet II diesel and 90PS (89hp) 0.9-liter TwinAir two-cylinder turbo'd petrol, the latter with a specific 6-speed transmission with shortened first gear.
Sales of the new Panda Cross will begin in Europe later this year.

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Given that, not all professionals need a van as capacious as a Ducato or a Ford Transit to do their work, ever since the first generation of the Panda, Fiat has offered a van variant of its city car model.
After the release of the regular versions of the new Panda in Europe earlier this year, Fiat Professional has introduced a van model of the Italian city car, which is offered in two flavors, with or without the rear seat bench.
Regardless of the number of seats, both versions of the Panda Van are equipped with blacked out rear windows and a metal guard positioned behind the last row of seats to protect the passenger(s) and driver.
The two-seater model sports a retractable hard cover that forms a flat loading surface while also creating a second cargo area underneath, which can be customized according to the driver's needs.
At launch, the range consists of two trim levels, the strictly two-seater Pop and the four-seater with a folding rear seat bench Easy, both available with front-wheel drive and two engines, a 75hp 1.3-liter MultiJet turbodiesel and a 68hp 1.2-liter petrol unit.
In Italy, prices for the Panda Van begin at €8,850 (US$10,900) and rise to €11,700 (US14,400).

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