IAA 2011: Fiat Ready to Conquer the City Car Segment with All-New Panda

The most important debut from a sales point of view for the Fiat Group at the Frankfurt Motor Show is the brand-new, third generation Fiat Pandacity car. With more than 6.5 million sales spread over two generations and 31 years, the Panda is one of Fiat's most successful models.

The 2012 Panda has been completely renewed and comes with a larger body, fresh looks, improved versatility and a new range of engines.

Available only as a five-door model, the new Panda has grown in length from 3,538mm to 3,650mm, in width from 1,578mm to 1,640mm, and in height from 1,450mm to 1,550mm.

And while the outgoing Panda was more or less for four passengers, Fiat claims that its successor can "comfortably accommodate up to five people" adding that is equipped with one of the "roomiest luggage compartments in its segment".

The Italian city car will be available with a choice of six different fuel-efficient engines including a pair of TwinAir 0.9-liter two-cylinder gasoline units in naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants producing 65HP and 85HP respectively, a 1.2-liter four-cylinder gasoline with 69HP, and a 1.3-liter Multijet diesel with auto stop-start technology.

Furthermore, Fiat will also offer a petrol/methane version of the 0.9 liter turbocharged unit and a petrol/LPG version of the 1.2-liter unit.

All engines are linked to a five-speed manual gearbox, with a semiautomatic “Dualogic” to be offered on the options list.

Production of the new Panda will begin before the end of the year with European sales to start immediately after.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

All-New Mazda CX-5 Crossover Makes its World Premiere in Frankfurt

The main attraction at Mazda's stand at the in Frankfurt is the brand-new CX-5 compact crossover that will spearhead the automakers efforts against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Mazda says that the CX-5 is the first of a new generation of models that will adopt the new KODO design philosophy and the full suite of its SKYACTIV technologies.

Despite its compact dimensions at 4,540mm long, 1,840mm wide and 1,670 mm tall, the CX-5 promises to offer ample space in the front and class leading (997 mm) rear legroom thanks to its 2,700 mm long wheelbase. Practicality is enhanced by the 40/20/40 split independent rear seats.

Mazda’s engineers claim to have paid special attention to aerodynamics (Cd: 0.33) and weight in order to reduce fuel consumption.

The CX-5 will be available in Europe in two- and four-wheel drive versions and a choice of two SKYACTIV engines, a 2.0-liter gasoline unit delivering 165HP and 210 Nm (154.9 lb-ft) and a 2.2-liter diesel with a two-stage turbocharger in two flavors, with 150 HP and 380 Nm (280.2 lb-ft) or 175 HP and 420 Nm (309.7 lb-ft).

European sales will start early next year.

We will probably see the North American version debuting later this year and reaching dealerships in the beginning of 2012. According to Mazda officials, the CX-5 will launch on this side of the Atlantic with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit, but there are also plans to offer a diesel engine starting from 2013.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More