| Road Test Fiat Panda 100HP |
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A Rocky Ride
Assuring her that that was exactly what it was took no more than about five seconds. I must say, though, that I had been expecting something a bit more positive. With its 15" alloy wheels, low-profile tyres, bodykit and - in this particular case - red paint, the Panda 100HP struck me as a bit of a looker, but it clearly left this particular representative of the youth market cold and unimpressed. Oh, well. The fact remains that this is the flagship model of the Panda range. It has the biggest engine (1368cc), the most gears (six) and the highest power output (100bhp, as the name suggests) of any current model, and is effectively the hot hatch in a line-up not noted for its high performance. It's also the most expensive, but it still comes in at just under £10,000. For that you get quite a tempting package. This is one of the better-equipped Pandas, certainly the fastest, arguably the best-looking, and although it's one of the least economical - only the 4x4 is thirstier - it can nonetheless claim a combined fuel economy figure of 43.5mpg.
It should also be the most fun to drive. Sporty hatchbacks don't have to be exceptionally powerful in order to provide a good driving experience; indeed, one of the best ever was the Peugeot 205 XSi, which had almost exactly the same size of engine as the Panda 100HP does, and was more delightful than almost any of its contemporaries, or indeed than nearly anything that has been created since.
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