Fiat Panda refreshed for its 40th birthday

The Fiat Panda range has been updated for 2021, with the refresh including new bumpers, additional colour options, a set of 16in alloy wheels and an updated interior.

In what will be its 40^th year on sale, the overhaul of the Panda range also sees the introduction of the new Fiat Panda Sport.

The entry-level Panda is the Life, which comes as standard with 14in steel wheels, air conditioning and an DAB radio with MP3 connectivity.

Plump for the plusher City Life model and you’ll add front fog lights, a revised front bumper, additional side skirts, alloy wheels and black exterior trim pieces.

Inside, you will get a leather steering wheel with audio controls, air conditions and Fiat’s Uconnect infotainment system with a smartphone mount on the dashboard.

The Panda While 4x4 tops the standard Panda Life range and includes everything the City Life gets, but adds all-wheel drive, a rear diff lock and skid plates.

The Sport model is a new addition to the range, and is instantly recognisable courtesy of 16in alloy wheels, red brak callipers, tinted windows and body-colour trim. Inside it gets leather-effect upholstery with red stitching.

It’s the Cross models that top the revised range though, which benefits from LED daytime running lights, black door mirrors, handles and roof rack, skid plates and a new blue/black two-tone leather-effect upholstery. The 4x4 version of the Cross gets a terrain selector with three modes (Auto, Off-road, Hill Descent Control), rear parking sensors, heated door mirrors, extra body trim and skid plates.

All two-wheel drive Panda models now feature a 1.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine that produces 70hp, while the 4x4s stick with the 0.9-litre TwinAir that produces 85hp.

The mild-hybrid model features a starter generator which recovers energy during braking and deceleration and is then redeployed when the car is in Stop/Start mode. All models feature a six-speed manual gearbox.

Set to be available from early November, although you can check out Fiat Panda leasing deals right now.