Fiat will show its new Panda Cross at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, complete with more muscles, better interior trim and better off-road ability.
But the Australian distributor has told motoring.com.au that there are no plans for the new variant to be sold here.
According to the manufacturer, the Panda Cross – the latest evolution of a family of Panda off roaders that have a cult following across Europe – will benefit from the torque-on-demand system of a central viscous-coupling diff driving the front and rear axles.
To make it look like a car that drives the front and rear axles, the 3.7-metre long Panda Cross also gets unique 15-inch alloy wheels, bigger wheel arch extensions, a set of roof bars, new fog lights and a tougher rear bumper bar.
Fiat claims to have upgraded the Panda’s suspension to suit its dirt-dwelling lifestyle, including delivering a new version of the standard torsion-beam rear suspension and revamping the front struts with more travel.
The 4X4 system, borrowed from the Panda 4X4 and the Panda Trekking, also includes a handful of assistance systems for the driver to choose from, including hill descent control and switchable traction control.
Dirt-oriented tyres measure 185/65 R15 all round, while approach and departure angles for the Panda Cross have improved to 24 and 33 degrees respectively.
The management of wheelspin won’t be much of a problem in the dry, with the Panda Cross only coming with Fiat’s award-winning, 0.9-litre, TwinAir two-cylinder turbo engine or the 1.3-litre MultiJet turbodiesel.
It will get leather trim, unlike its Panda 4X4 stablemate, and it comes standard with climate-control air conditioning and a touchscreen infotainment unit.
Alas, it's not coming here, however...
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