2013 Fiat Panda 4×4 revealed ahead of Paris 2012

Fiat has revealed the 2013 version of the Panda 4×4 ahead of a public debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.

The Fiat Panda might not be as cool as the Fiat 500 (oh, alright, it’s not cool at all), but it is a much better car than you might expect.

Sadly, Fiat no longer build the Panda 100HP – as quick a way round urban traffic as you’ll ever find – but they are continuing with the Panda 4×4 and have just revealed a new version.

The 2013 Panda 4×4 has been around for a generation or more and boasts it’s the only 4WD car in the A-Segment. And it’s always been so good it’s surprising more makers don’t play in this niche.

Based on the usual Panda, the Panda 4×4 gets butched-up with bits of black plastic cladding, silver painted skid plates and meatier sills. Inside the 4×4 gets new upholstery and plenty of cubbyholes and a new green frame round the dash.

The PAnda 4×4 gets revised suspension with increased travel and a torque on demand transmission that has two diffs and distributes power between the front and back axles depending on traction.

Engine options will be a 79bhp dual fuel petrol (it will also run on methane) and the brilliant little 0.9 litre TwinAir, which should make exactly the right noises for a tough little urban car.

The new Fiat Panda 4×4 will get its public debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show next month.

[nggallery id=1201 template=customlinks]