Autocar - News and reviews from the original car experts

First Drive

• Email
• Print

Your Say

Start the discussion

Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet

Test date 08 February 2005  Price as tested  £8,995

There’s a dearth of good diesels among the smallest cars on our roads. But the choice is about get a lot better with the introduction of Fiat’s Panda Multijet – the cheapest diesel in the UK.

The excellent 1.3-litre turbodiesel develops 70bhp and 107lb ft. Which makes this the quickest, most flexible and most entertaining Panda, as well as the most frugal and the cheapest to run. All of the torque can be called upon from just 1500rpm, and it rushes from a pootle up to and beyond 70mph with a determination not found in the petrol Panda’s repertoire. Fiat’s figures – 0-60mph in 13.0sec and a top speed of 99mph – seem decidedly conservative.

Despite an extra 75kg up front, the Panda’s pliant ride remains. Brisk driving is made interesting by plenty of body roll and light steering, but it’s definitely fun once you’ve been initiated.

Only a slightly hesitant response to the throttle betrays this engine’s fuel type and it’s certainly smooth and hushed enough to be preferable to the boomy petrol engines.

Fiat is only offering the Panda diesel in £7895 Dynamic trim, making it £660 cheaper than its nearest diesel (the Vauxhall Corsa CDTi) but £900 more than the equivalent petrol Panda. Considering that this is the best Panda there is, that premium is worth paying; if capable of the 76mpg Fiat claims for the extra urban cycle – and it seems like it is – it’s all the more justified.

Matt Saunders