History of the Fiat Panda - Part 5: Special Versions Vol. 2

Just like its predecessor, the 2nd-generation Fiat Panda has had its share amount of special versions, some of which never entered production. Here they are! (Warning: it’s going to be a long article. Prepare yourselves!)

Fiat Panda Marrakech

The Panda Marrakech was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2003, at the same time as the normal Panda.
It was a prototype that adopted the mechanics of the Panda 4x4 but presented a cabriolet body like a sort of Dune Buggy.
Painted in yellow, the Marrakech did not have a hood or the doors, which were replaced by a steel pipe that doubled as a roll-bar.
It had a Dualogic robotized gearbox while the interior was equipped with front airbags and satellite navigation.
The specific lights have never been adopted by the normal Panda.

Fiat Panda Bigusto

The Panda Bigusto had a two-tone interior and the body painted in two colors: red and blue or black and blue, but both never went into production and remained at the concept car stage.

Fiat Panda Alessi

The Panda Alessi was created in collaboration with the Piedmontese company Alessi, which produces household utensils.
It was exhibited in 2004 as a show car to be produced from 2006 to 2009 in a few copies. The aesthetic characterizations are however limited and ther only purpose is to underline the already original and cheeky character of the Panda.
The bumpers and the white side bands stand out in contrast with the color of the bodywork, which can be painted in either “Arancio Narciso”, “Verde Tagliente” or “Nero Cattivo”. Other distinctive elements are the Alessi badges as well as the black-white circles.
The interior is characterized by a specific screen printing of the instrumentation as well as for the fabric that covers the orange or green seats. Instead, the central tunnel incorporates a round shaped compartment and a silicone cell phone holder.
Only one engine was offered, the 60 hp 1.2 petrol. The standard equipment includes ABS, dual airbags, electric power steering, radio with CD player and Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phones.

Fiat Panda Swiss

Presented at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, the Panda Swiss was a styling exercise based on the Panda 4x4 and characterized by the red paintjob with a white stripe that ran through the central part of the body, deliberately inspired by the Swiss flag. The bars on the roof and the door handles were chromed while the side guards were painted in silver. A white cross-shaped sticker was applied beneath the side projectors, which imitated the cross on the Swiss flag.

Fiat Panda Jolly

The Panda Jolly has been produced in a limited number of models since 2006 by Italian automotive company Stola.
Characterized by the cabriolet bodywork without counters and inspired by cars such as the 50s Fiat 600 Jolly and Fiat Nuova 500 Jolly, it remained an exclusive destined to the main Italian islands for the transport of VIPs on the seafront.
In addition to specific alloy rims and light blue metallic paint, it also had internal coverings made of Rope material used by sailing boats. It could be considered a production version of the Panda Marrakech.

Fiat Panda Mamy

The Panda Mamy is a trim combined with the Dynamic version but with the 14-inch alloy wheels specific to the Emotion.
Dedicated to English mothers, it debuted in Great Britain in July 2008. Among the features there is a series of qualifying accessories, especially in terms of safety, and some interior fittings that facilitate the life of the little ones. Among them, the Isofix attachments for the child seats, the rearview mirror for the rear seat control from the driver’s seat, the standard ESP, up to specific seats, with removable and washable bibs, are nicely personalized, and proof of “treads” of small passengers.
The trim is completed by the custom mats, the bag hook in the trunk and five colors of the body: the classics Arancio Narciso, Nero Provocatore, Grigio Sfrenato and Grigio Perbene, plus the unusual Mirtillo Monello. Available with either the 1.2 petrol engine or the 1.2 Natural Power version.

Fiat Panda Terramare

The Panda Terramare is a prototype of amphibious car presented in 2006.
Built on the base of the 4x4 version, only the body and engine remained while an inflatable float, a waterjet propulsion turbine and numerous waterproof guards in the underbody were added.
Built by engineer Maurizio Zanisi, the Terramare is able to operate in water in two modes: Inflatable mode with maximum speed self-limited to 10 km/h and Overcraft mode with a maximum speed of 50 km/h.

Fiat Panda Mondiale

In May 2006 Fiat presented the special series Panda Mondiale, which featured numerous stickers on the bonnet with the tricolor and sides that have logos inspired by the national Italian football team.
The exclusive alloy wheels and fog lights are standard, along with the chrome tailpipes and specific interior trims. The Panda Mondiale was only equipped with the 60 hp 1.2 FIRE and was proposed in only two colors: black “Darkwawe” and blue “Bossa Nova”.
Quite ironically, though, this particular version Panda was sold exclusively in Germany…

Fiat Panda Tanker

Exhibited at the 2006 Bologna Motor Show, the Panda Tanker was made in collaboration with sportswear company Dainese.
It was based on the Panda 4x4 and was made unique by its 3-door body, and had dark gray paintwork and steel rims equipped with reduced steel wheel covers in the same color as the body. It has never entered production.

Fiat Panda Monster

Based on the Cross, the Panda Monster was made in collaboration with Ducati, in fact the name Monster wants to evoke one of the greatest successes of the motorcycle manufacturer, the Ducati Monster. Traction is AWD.
The 695 units produced were booked shortly after the official launch.
The Panda Monster is equipped with a 70 bhp 1.3 Multijet and features a full-featured standard equipment: from automatic air conditioning to the Bluetooth hands-free system to the radio with CD player and MP3 files. Outside the model is distinguishable by the black livery and other stylistic details painted in black: from the tails to the moldings, from the bars on the roof to the air intake, to the frames of the lights and projectors. Even the rear windows, the rear window and the third light are dark. On the other hand, the grille and the bumper shield are in metal color while the brake calipers are painted in gold. Inside the seats are in black leather and Alcantara Starlight.

Fiat Panda Luxury

The Panda Luxury was a prototype created for the 2006 Verona Luxury Show.
Derived from the Panda 4x4, the Luxury features a unique silver bath paintjob, and the finishes are in precious and brilliant metals thanks to the embedded crystals. The interior features the Jewel Alcantara saddlery and leather with a nacre finish as well as details like the silver bath plastics. The Fiat logo is also composed of crystals.

Fiat Panda Rossignol

The Panda Rossignol was presented in January 2008.
Based on the Panda 4x4, this version is dedicated to the mountains, in particular to the Italian ski resorts. This version was born thanks to a collaboration between Fiat and Rossignol, a well-known and leading company in the design and creation of mountain equipment.
Outside this version is immediately recognized by the color used for the body and called Grigio Sfrenato, while in the sign of sportiness we find the shiny black for the uprights and the opaque black for the longitudinal bars on the roof, the side bumper strips and the tails of the mudguard in addition to the front bezel with chrome inserts and painted edges. The “Rossignol Pure Mountain Company” logo is instead painted red.
In addition to the good standard equipment, consisting for example of the manual air conditioning and the car radio with CD and MP3 player, the black technical covering for the seats and the door panels stands out. This special Panda variant adopts the 70 bhp 1.3 16v Multijet engine under the bonnet. The grip on the asphalt (or rather, on low grip surfaces) is guaranteed, as well as by the Winter 185/65 tires on 14-inch wheels, also and above all by permanent all-wheel drive - with viscous joint and two differentials. The attachment is standard for carrying up to three pairs of skis or up to two snowboards. 200 units have been built.

Fiat Panda 4x4 Glam

Presented in November 2008, the Panda 4x4 Glam is the most luxurious and elegant variant of the all-wheel drive range.
In fact it does not give much space to the extreme off-road, the body is in an elegant Pearl White, and in the same color are also the exterior mirrors, the door handles and the rear handle. The upper roof bars are instead painted with an aluminum effect. 15-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels with a “sporting” tone complete the external customization. Also inside we find a certain refinement, with the use of a dark fabric with “Jeans effect” in the seats and a black fabric for the door panels; the gearshift knob is specific to this version, as well as the chrome-plated air conditioning vents. As for the engines, there are the usual 1.2 60 hp petrol and the 70 hp 1.3 Multijet.

Fiat Panda Valgrisa

In June 2009, the clothing company Aznom presented the Panda Valgrisa at its showroom. Built starting from the Panda 4x4 Climbing 1.3 Multijet, it is a luxury variant produced on request by Aznom.
Characterized by the interior completely covered in wood and the finish of the door panels made of leather and Rossett wool. The bodywork features 14-inch alloy wheels and plastic moldings and shells of the painted rearview mirrors following the wood effect.

Fiat Panda 4x4 Adventure

The Panda 4x4 Adventure was presented in July 2009 in Italy, and is a tribute to the old Panda 4x4 Sisley.
It is characterized by green varnishing with colored painted bumpers, gray central shields, burnished headlights and darkened crystals.
The adventurous and essential spirit of this version is underlined by the opaque black of the uprights, the roof rails, the side bumper strips, the fender tails and the rear headlight frame. The off-road vocation is also expressed in 14” wheels in painted sheet metal (dark gray) with 165/70 M + S tires. This philosophy can also be found in the passenger compartment, where the anti-tear and washable black technical fabric coverings match rubber mats, washable with ease, the rest of the interior reflects what is already offered on the other Panda 4x4.
This version is powered by a 60 hp 1.2 petrol engine or the 70 hp 16V 1.3 Multijet diesel, coupled to a four-wheel drive automatic insertion with electro-hydraulic coupling. The payload, like on the other Panda 4x4, is 445 kg while the rear loading compartment can reach up to a maximum volume of 1,000 litres (like the Panda Van) requiring the optional configuration equipped with only front seats. Suspensions have been reinforced in view of the most intensive use on difficult terrain, while performance, consumption and emissions remain unchanged from the other AWD Pandas.

Fiat Panda Anniversary

In July 2010 Fiat put on sale the special Panda Anniversary, a version celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Panda model. The Anniversary is equipped with the 1.1 FIRE 8V engine and is built starting from the Active Eco version. It stands out for its black jeans fabric interior and in the exterior style by the application on the central and rear opaque liner pillars. It is available in three colors: Rosso Sfrontato, Bianco Bianco and Giallo Ottimista. The aesthetics of the car are unchanged.
End of Part 5. The History of the Fiat Panda will continue soon with Part 6: Special Versions Vol.3 and Racing Panda!
Stay tuned!

<<Click here for Part 1: The Origins!<<
<<Click here for Part 2: First Series!<<
<<Click here for Part 3: Special Versions!<<
<<Click here for Part 4: Rebirth of the Panda!<<

>>Click here for Part 6: Special Versions Vol. 3 and Racing Panda!>>
>>Click here for Part 7: New Generation!>>