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hirty-three years ago, back in 1980, when JR Ewing and John Lennon both got shot, Fiat gave birth to one of the most no frills cars ever born – the Panda. And the simple, ahead of its time city car was a huge hit, selling over 6.5 million units glo-
bally in its first and second generation form, until Fiat put the Panda out to pasture in 2003, just as it won European Car Of The Year in 2004. Doh! But Fiat are making up for that PR disaster now – with the birth of the third generation Panda – available from just £8,900, to £14,950. And whilst it might look a little like the last Gen II Panda, in fact the Gen III is quite different – offering greater sophistication, a more refined finish, improved ride, quieter cabin and massive trim level. Take a long, deep breath, as the trim levels in full are: ‘Pop’ which is “simply practical” with 14-inch rims, daytime running lights and CD/MP3 radio (4 speak-
ers), ISOFIX, Start-Stop, Dualdrive steering, ABS, body-colour bumpers, central locking and electric front windows. You can get either a 1.2-litre, 69hp petrol (£8,900) or 75hp Multijet turbo diesel (£11,100). Then there’s ‘Easy’, which is about “extra comfort” and adds air conditioning, remote central locking, groovy roof rails and two more speakers. It offers the 1.2 69hp (£9,550) or the ace 0.9 TwinAir Turbo 85hp (£10,750) or TwinAir Dualogic spec (£11,815) and Multijet turbo diesel 1.3 75hp (£11,750). Then there’s ‘Lounge’ which is all about “luxury touches” adding body colour door handles/mirrors, black side mouldings, front