What is the connection between Delorean DMC-12there Lancia Deltathere BMW M1there The spirit of the lotus and fiat panda ? Answer… All created by Italian master Giorgietto Giugiaro! But when Fiat contacted him in the late 1970s, it neither for a two-seater supercar nor for a time machine… After the 850 Spider (1965) and the Dino (1967), the Italian brand needed his services to draw a popular small car. Not that sales of the 126 and 127 have dried up, but the company wants to innovate and offer a new model that is more fashionable and modern for take a step into the “eighties” that are coming… Ago a panda is bornin 1980. Fiat is pushing the principle of economy and ultimate simplicitywithout ignoring modernity.

From Panda to Panda 4X4

Panda is a front wheel drive (like 127, but unlike 126). Its geometric shape and “boxy” design is a clear break with the creations of the time. From pleasant to useful, since it maximizes internal space, and accommodates 5 passengers. It’s a simple and pared-down model that showcases unibody panelswith flat glazingand the Union minimum in terms of equipment (at least during startup). As the vintages progress, it moves from limited editions to special editions that elevate it to the elite level. But the most famous of all is just emerging June 1983… 4X4 version ! Panda was not designed to receive a four-wheel drive option. It was Italdesign, Giugiaro’s training center that had proposed by Fiat with a concept called 4X4 Offroader. The idea was liked by the builder and the customers, who invited him to test it. Panda 4X4 was about to become a reality!

Special series for the 40th anniversary

Fiat provides assembly Austrian specialist Steyr-Puch (which, in particular, underlies the Mercedes G-Class). It produces for 4X4 method of transmissionthere transmission AND clutchwhich are shipped to Italy and installed on Panda boxes. “4X4” will meet with great success, becoming an icon little adventurers and mountain models ! Thanks to its semi-light weight, it competes with large 4X4s as well as small ones terrible Lada Niva ! Its success story was such that the Panda 4X4 was abandoned the next two generations of Panda, in 2003 and 2012. Guess who’s turning 40 this month? Of course, the first Panda 4X4! On the occasion, Fiat produces a limited series of 1983 examples called 4X40° ! Compared to the standard version, it has stickers that pay tribute to three consecutive generations! Rebuilt and given a few specific toucheswill only be offered in Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland. Panda 4X4 sold out over 800,000 units since 1983.

Read also:

Two new Fiats have arrived

Fiat overtakes Peugeot on the Stellantis

Abarth 500: its prices are known