Fiat Panda 0.9 Twinair Easy

IT is not often that the sound of an engine can put a smile on your face. And I don’t mean the blood-stirring roar of an all-American V8.

The altogether more modest unit fitted in the Fiat Panda is a twin-cylinder, 875cc power plant, which has a delightful put-putting sound track. I defy anyone to fire up the little engine and not grin.

And though it might sound hopelessly inadequate, the turbocharged engine’s statistics are stunning.

Voted International Engine of the Year in 2011, the rev-happy, responsive TwinAir Turbo somehow squeezes out 85 horsepower, while delivering superb pulling power, combined with low emissions.

I won’t bore you with the technology packed into the little engine, suffice to say it will deliver ample power to allow you to cruise at motorway speeds, while holding out the prospect of returning fuel consumption in the high 60s.

It also comes with a Start&Stop system which automatically switches off the engine when the car comes to a standstill and is in neutral, and starts again when the clutch pedal is depressed. In addition, a dashboard digital gearshift indicator suggests when to change gear.

Around town, a push of the dashboard-mounted Eco button cuts maximum torque and automatically adjusts the steering to a lighter city setting.

While the Italian-built, five-door Panda is a compact car, it comes with big car features such as anti-lock brakes, up to six airbags and a five-star EuroNCAP crash test rating. New suspension is fitted and options include an electronic stability system and low speed collision mitigation system, which reads the road ahead and automatically applies the brakes if it detects an obstacle in the car's path.

The third generation Fiat Panda, Europe's best-selling supermini, is bigger, roomier, safer and more fuel efficient than its predecessors.

Most of the Panda's growth in length is in the rear overhang to increase the car's boot space as well as offer more legroom to rear passengers, who will also benefit from a rear sliding seat option for the first time. Other options include a front passenger seat that folds into a table.

The new Panda is also 66mm wider, which means it can just about seat three passengers comfortably in the rear.

As with every other Fiat, the new Panda can be ordered with the Blue&Me connectivity system to allow owners to synchronise music players and mobile phones with the car. This enables hands-free control of devices using either voice activation or steering wheel-mounted buttons.

The Panda is one of those cars that inspire as much emotion as down-to-earth driver appeal. And with low fuel consumption, low insurance and low running costs, it also gives plenty more reasons to smile.

At a glance

  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 67.3mpg
  • Top speed: 110mph
  • Insurance group: Eight (1-50)
  • Length: 365.3cm/144in
  • Width: 164.3cm/64.7in
  • Luggage capacity: 7.9 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 8.1 gallons/37 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 99g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles