Panda eats shoots and leaves little

Sep 30 2008 Steve Hughes

Panda eats shoots and leaves little

FIAT has added an ECO model to its Panda range with improved economy and lower running costs.

It costs £100 more than the standard models but there is an immediate saving of £85 for the annual road fund licence.

The remaining £15 price difference should be covered by fuel cost reductions thanks to improved economy and from then on its savings all the way.

Two models are on offer, the Panda Active ECO and Dynamic ECO, which cost £7,105 and £7,705.

Each is fitted with low rolling resistance tyres and low viscosity engine oil which gets the Panda ECO just below the all-important 120g/km limit for band B models.

The new 119g/km rating means that it falls from band C to band B and qualifies for the reduced road tax.

The Panda Active ECO is powered by a 1.1-litre petrol engine which develops 54bhp, while the Panda Dynamic ECO's 1.2-litre petrol engine produces 60bhp.

Both Active ECO and Dynamic ECO models average 56mpg with top speeds of about 95mph and acceleration to 60mph in 15 seconds and 14 seconds respectively.

The Active ECO's standard equipment includes front air bags, electronic brakeforce distribution, electric power steering, follow me home headlights and electric front windows. The Dynamic ECO gains remote central locking and a CD/MP3 player.