The new Fiat Panda 4x4 will make its debut at the forthcoming international Paris Motor Show.

The third-generation four-wheel drive Panda - the only four-wheel drive model in the A segment - has been further improved in order to compete with off-road vehicles of much greater dimensions and higher prices.

The 5-door Panda is 368 centimetres long, 167 centimetres wide and 160 centimetres high. The wheelbase is 230 centimetres and it has a front and rear track of 141 and 140 centimetres respectively.

The Panda 4x4 is equipped with a torque-on-demand transmission system with two differentials and an electronically controlled coupling. This is a permanent four-wheel drive system managed by an electronic control unit which, by analysing vehicle signals, distributes traction on the front and rear axle homogenously and proportionally according to road grip conditions. The advantages of this system are that it is entirely automatic in operation and requires no maintenance.

The Panda 4x4 features an ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system with an ELD (Electronic Locking Differential) function as standard. This system provides additional assistance while driving and setting-off uphill on slippery terrain (snow, ice, mud etc.). More specifically, the ELD acts by braking the wheels with poor grip (or those slipping more than the others), thereby transferring the drive force to those which have more grip on the ground. This function can be activated manually by pressing a button behind the gear lever and operates below 30mph.

Two engine versions of the Fiat Panda 4x4 will become available, both with Start&Stop: the new 85 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo and the 75 HP 1.3 MultiJet II diesel. Compared with the 1.2 Fire of the previous generation, the TwinAir Turbo has 40% more torque. In combination with a special six-speed gearbox with low-range first gear, it ensures better uphill starts, flexibility and pick-up. A similar improvement is found on the MultiJet II engine.

The new car’s rear suspension is lighter than its predecessor and provides better ride and acoustic comfort, with the same off-road performance as before.

Inside, the Panda 4x4 comes standard with a range of equipment: ESC with ELD, manual climate control system, CD/MP3 radio, electric rear view mirrors, central locking system with remote control and rear head restraints. The Panda is shod with 15" burnished alloy rims, 175/65 R15 M+S tyres. A vast range of optional equipment and accessories is available, to further enhance either its urban or off-road use, as required.

In addition to the Panda 4x4, Fiat will introduce two more Panda vehicles in Paris: the Trekking and Natural Power versions. The first provides the link between 4x2 and 4x4 versions with a smart front-wheel drive by implementing Traction+ technology. This traction control system, is set to improve handling on slippery terrain, guaranteeing excellent performance when setting-off.

The Panda Natural Power is equipped with a dual fuel (methane and petrol) 80 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo engine to combine all the low running costs and eco-friendly advantages of methane with Turbo TwinAir technology for excellent fuel consumption, low emissions and optimum performance values.