The Fiat Panda 100HP Is An Entertaining Warm Hatch That'll Cost You Peanuts To Run

Last week we were in Italy driving the new Fiat Panda Cross, and weren’t entirely convinced by it as a package. However, that’s not the case for all Pandas, and one we’re particularly fond of is the 100HP.

The usually rather sensible Panda was given a makeover for this sporty version, with plastic wheel arch extensions, 15-inch wheels and restyled front and rear bumpers. Under the bonnet there’s a 100bhp 1.4-litre engine, making this one sprightly little car.

Sure, it’s not mega fast with a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds, but you’ll have endless fun thrashing the living daylights out of it as you extract every little bit of performance it has to offer. The suspension is lower and stiffer than on other Pandas, so you can really chuck these things around while you hustle along your favourite road.

When Fiat dropped the 1.4-litre four-pot from its range, the Panda 100HP was no more, and the Italian firm is yet to replace it with another sporty Panda. It’s the sort of car that’s absent from too many manufacturers’ ranges these days: a sporty middle ground between the boring runabouts and the full-fat, hot range-toppers.

The good news is, these things are a steal on the used market. This 2006 example has done 51,000 miles, and is up for just £2999. An MOT is due soon, but with a little negotiation, the seller may well put it through one for the right buyer.

Bag yourself one of these, and you’ll have a car with highly entertaining, accessible performance that’ll cost peanuts to run. A catch-free sporty used buy? We think so.