PetrolBlogPetrolBlogPetrolBlogPetrolBlog
  • Home
  • 70s cars
  • 80s cars
  • 90s cars
  • 00s cars
  • Manufacturers
    • CITROËN
    • PEUGEOT
    • RENAULT
    • Alfa Romeo
    • Audi
    • Dacia
    • Daihatsu
    • Fiat
    • Ford
    • Honda
    • Hyundai
    • Lancia
    • Matra
    • Mazda
    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
    • Opel
    • Proton
    • Saab
    • Seat
    • Skoda
    • Suzuki
    • Talbot
    • Toyota
    • Vauxhall
    • Volkswagen
    • Volvo
  • Features
    • 10 of the best
    • CarTunes
    • General Bunk
    • It’s time to appreciate
    • Major Waffle
    • New cars
    • Regrets
    • Reviews
    • Save Our Scrap
    • Shatchbacks
    • Shednesday
    • The Barn
    • Whatever happened to?
  • Garage
  • Shop
0

Are these the best Fiat Panda special editions of all-time?

Published by Gavin Big-Surname at 3rd February 2014
Fiat Panda Terramare on the water

What has the Fiat Panda 4×4 Antarctica special edition ever done to you? While opinions on Fiat’s latest car – rolled out to celebrate 30 years and 50,000 sales of the brilliant Panda 4×4 – have been divided, some folk have been pretty scathing.

Indeed, our friends over at Car Throttle have called it “embarrassing”, before putting it forward as “the worst special edition ever”. Then – the final nail in the coffin – it is called “a laughing stock”.

Is this the worst limited edition car ever?! http://t.co/GsrBv9BcPD pic.twitter.com/HcUKm6RihZ

— Car Throttle (@CarThrottle) January 22, 2014

Well, with the greatest of respect, that is simply wrong. A penguin is a curious choice for a go-anywhere spirited 4×4, we grant you. But to call it the worst special edition of all time – well that’s unfair.

PetrolBlog immediately thinks back to the likes of the Renault 19 Be Bop, the Peugeot 306 Meridian, the Opel Speedster Scorpions, the Volkswagen Polo Harlequin and the Lancia Beta Hi-Fi as more deserving candidates. Heck, even PetrolBlog’s own Daewoo Musso ‘Special Edition’ is worthy of inclusion.

So while a bird that spends most of its time either slipping and sliding about on ice, hunting for fish or – if the films are to be believed – engaged in happy dancing, might be a strange choice, we applaud the Fiat Panda 4×4 Antarctica. It’s got a sense of humour and that’s precisely what the Fiat Panda has always been about. It’s its unwavering character and personality that gives it the edge over many of its competitors.

Fiat Panda 4x4 Antarctica special edition

So if you were thinking about taking the plunge and buying a Fiat Panda 4×4, consider the Antarctica number 11 in our ten reasons to buy a Fiat Panda 4×4 feature. We’ll resist the temptation to offer up a ‘p-p-p-pick up a Panda’ gag.

But the Fiat Panda 4×4 Antarctica got us thinking. To help the Panda 4×4 celebrate 30 years as being the Tuscan hill farmer’s best friend, why don’t we take a look back at some of the best Fiat Panda special edition models of all-time. If you thought the ‘Penguin Special’ was bizarre, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Fiat Panda Van (1986)

Fiat Panda Van

Is this a contender for the coolest van in human history? It has it all. An authentic Roma number plate. A set of steel wheels. A ladder on the roof. And it’s a bleeding Fiat Panda.

It was a simple affair. Fiat simply removed the rear seats, fitted blanking plates instead of rear windows, and put side-hinged doors where the tailgate would have been. It’s the real Italian Job.

PetrolBloggyness: 8

Fiat Panda Elettra (1990)

Fiat Panda Elettra

Talk about being ahead its time. The Panda Elettra – which sounds like the perfect name for a Bond girl – dates from 1990, and was an all-electric Panda. Like the aforementioned Panda Van, Fiat removed the rear seats. Only this time they put batteries in its place. Power came from a 19bhp (14kW) DC motor, and the top speed was a lowly 43mph.

The problem was the weight: the Elettra weighed a whopping 1,150kg, some 450kg more the standard Panda. As a result, Fiat had to fit stiffer suspension and uprated brakes. It wasn’t a success, but Fiat’s thinking was a full two decades of its time.

PetrolBloggyness: 5

Fiat Panda Italia ’90 (1990)

Fiat Panda Italia 90

Still one of the most desirable Fiat Pandas ever created, if only for those fantastically kitsch football wheel trims. Check out the Ciao mascot on the C-pillar and the seats. The Panda Italia ’90 special edition was rolled out to celebrate the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Remember it? Gazza’s tears, Nessun Dorma and England losing on penalties.

The Fiat Panda Italia ’90 was one of the first cars to feature on PetrolBlog. Four years on, the desire shows no sign of going away. Just look at those wheel trims…

PetrolBloggyness: 9

Fiat Panda Destriero Prototype (1992)

Fiat Panda Destriero Prototype

What do you get if you cross Barbie’s car with the Mini Moke? Why the Fiat Panda Destriero Prototype of course.

It was a one-off. Which is hardly surprising.

PetrolBloggyness: 4

Fiat Panda Sporting (2005)

Fiat Panda Sporting

The Fiat Panda Sporting is a mere aperitif in comparison with the much-loved Panda 100HP, but for some reason it remains ridiculously cool. It was available in either red or black, both of which featured snazzy twin offset racing stripes. There was also a bodykit, featuring revised front and rear bumpers, 14-inch alloy wheels, a roof spoiler and some interior upgrades. Shame it was only a diesel.

But here’s the really curious thing. Apparently there are only SEVEN in the UK. Seven? Surely there’s been some mistake?

Edit: having spoken to the Fiat UK press office, we can now confirm that around 400 Fiat Panda Sportings were registered between 2005 and 2006. Now that’s more like it.

PetrolBloggyness: 8

Fiat Panda Terramare (2006)

Fiat Panda Terramare

Ah, so now we know where the Top Gear boys took their inspiration from. This is the Fiat Panda Terramare, the work of an Italian engineer named Maurizio Zanisi. In what was probably a better job than a Top Gear Special, Zanisi fitted a floatation belt and a water jet propulsion kit.

The water Panda then travelled from Folkestone to Cap Griz Nez in just six hours. Top effort. Apparently the Panda Terramare underwent sea trials in London’s Battersea Park Lake. Which offers exactly the same conditions as the world’s busiest stretch of water.

Fiat Panda Monster (2006)

Fiat Panda Monster

Wait, what’s this? Pretty young women on PetrolBlog. Whatever next, a celebrity corner and a guest appearance from Rachel Riley?

What have they got to smile about? Well they’re clearly part of the chosen few who were ‘approved’ by Fiat as potential owners for the Panda Monster special edition. It was developed in conjunction with Ducati, with the Monster name derived Monster 695. Truth be told, it wasn’t a looker. So you’re much better off looking at the ladies…

PetrolBloggyness: 4

Fiat Panda Alessi (2004)

Fiat Panda Alessi

The Fiat Panda Alessi was the official car of the Ideal Home Exhibition and is no stranger to us here at PetrolBlog, featuring it, as we did, last year.

We still adore its two-tone paintwork and hubcaps. The coolest Fiat Panda special edition ever made? It’s right up there.

PetrolBloggyness: 9

Fiat Panda 100HP (2006-2010)

Fiat Panda 100HP

Technically this wasn’t a special edition at all, but so blinking awesome is the Panda 100HP, we had to give it a mention here.

It’s amazing just how special these things look. If PetrolBlog were to disband the fleet and opt for one single car, the Fiat Panda 100HP would be very close to the top of the list. Awesome little car.

PetrolBloggyness: 9

Fiat Panda Special Series 360 (2007)

Fiat Panda Special Series 360

The Fiat Panda Special Series 360 was a special edition. No really, it was. It’s just that it was one of those lukewarm, must-try-harder, marketing-led specials.

But you did get a sticker.

PetrolBloggyness: 2

Fiat Panda Aria Concept Car (2007)

Fiat Panda Aria Concept Car

Well wasn’t this quite the pioneer. It may have been a 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show concept special, but its two-cylinder engine with start-stop technology was a glimpse into Fiat’s future.

Almost everything about the Fiat Panda Aria was designed to be as ec0-friendly as possible, with all parts made from either recycled or recyclable materials. The seats were upholstered in a combination of cotton and linen, and then stuffed with coconut fibre. The body panels – whilst looking stock – were made from eco-resin and treated with opaque paint.

The 800cc, 80bhp engine could run on either standard petrol or methane-hydrogren. Clever little thing.

PetrolBloggyness: 6

Fiat Panda Mamy (2008)

Fiat Panda Mamy

Oh God help us. It won’t surprise you to learn that the Fiat Panda Mamy was targeted exclusively at women. Get this for a list of women-friendly accessories. And no we’re not making this up…

A second rearview mirror for keeping an eye on the kids, bag hooks in the boot, front seat covers with pockets, washable upholstery, a high-grip mat in the boot and ISOFIX points. Available in feminine aubergine, orange, black or grey, the Mamy cost £8,200. We’d like to think the ads begun with the strapline, ‘women know your place’.

PetrolBloggyness: 1

Fiat Panda 4×4 Cross (2008)

Fiat Panda Cross

If the standard MK2 Fiat Panda 4×4 wasn’t rugged enough for you, Fiat would offer you the Cross version. With an increased ride height, 15-inch alloys, heavily revised front and rear lighting arrangements and a two-tone paint job, the Panda Cross looked every inch the Panda for the apocalypse. Or one set up for life as a ‘lucha libra’ wrestler.

PetrolBloggyness: 6

Fiat Panda 4×4 Rossignol (2008)

Fiat Panda 4x4 Rossignol

Mk2 Fiat Panda 4x4s don’t come more appealing than the Rossignol from 2008. Only 200 units were built in conjunction with French ski equipment company, Rossignol.

Each car came with a set of Bandit B78 skis, Axium 120 bindings and a magnetic carry rack. Which might mean something to some of our readers. Just one thing – if the Panda Rossignol came with some Bandits, why didn’t Fiat call it the ‘Pandit’?

PetrolBloggyness: 8

Fiat Panda 4×4 Antarctica (2013)

Fiat Panda 4x4 Antarctica rear

And so we come to the present day, and end with the all-new Fiat Panda 4×4 Antarctica. A fitting tribute to a 4×4 icon and a piece of Italian heritage? Perhaps not, but it is a bit of fun.

The Antarctica is only available in white with a black roof, giving it that authentic penguin look. Only 300 will be built and each one is priced at £14,895. They like to be fed with fish and will occasionally poo on your garage floor. The audio equipment is also pre-loaded with Pingu’s greatest hits, including Eskimo Disco and Pingu Boogaloo.

The worst special edition ever made? Not a bit of it. But we can’t help but think a more fitting 30th anniversary edition would have been the Fiat Panda 4×4 Tuscan Farmer edition. In Tuscan Green, of course.

All images © Fiat.

Share
1


Related Waffle


Shednesday Fiat Croma

Shednesday: Fiat Croma Comfort Wagon

Feb 17, 2021
Fiat Regata Energy Saving

Citymatic for the people: Fiat Regata ES

Feb 2, 2021
Fiat Tipo 16v

Club PetrolBlog: Best Cars of the 1990s

Nov 4, 2020
CarTunes mixtape by Graham Eason

CarTunes: a mixtape by Graham Eason

Jun 26, 2020

9 Comments

  1. Ant says:
    3rd February 2014 at 9:11 am

    Glad to see the 100HP made the list 😉

    The Aria appeals too though. Pity Fiat got in there too late to drop the twin-cylinder in that generation of Panda – I still haven’t really come around to the looks of the current model.

    Reply
    • Gavin Braithwaite-Smith says:
      3rd February 2014 at 9:12 am

      The 100HP had to be included!

      It’s an itch that still needs to be scratched…

      Do you miss yours?

      Reply
      • Ant says:
        3rd February 2014 at 8:58 pm

        I’m not sure. There will come a day some time in the future where I’ll probably yearn for another, but there are far too many cars I want to own to be too hung up on one I’ve already owned.

        There have been times over the past few years where I’ve regretted selling it though. In the right frame of mind it’s fantastic fun but taking off the rose-tinted specs the ride quality did drive me barmy and the interior was a bit gloomy.

        Reply
  2. Aaron Short says:
    3rd February 2014 at 2:12 pm

    Ah, I had a 306 meridan.
    Terrible name for a model, terrible looking badges too (one took some of the paint with it when I removed them!) cracking car though.
    Car Throttles writing quality seems to vary heavily, but I see their point on the Fiat, I personally think its brilliantly quirky and adds character to the now bloated panda.
    But consumers these days don’t like ‘quirky’ anymore. They all want white cars with a premium badge and ‘m’, ‘r’, ‘amg’, ‘limited edition’ or ‘s-line’ dotted all over it to show how rich they are (making the the finance company…)to hell with character, driving experience or even actual aesthetics.

    A sad casualty of our generations increasing reliance on self-image.

    Reply
    • Gavin Braithwaite-Smith says:
      3rd February 2014 at 2:17 pm

      Nowt wrong with the Peugeot 306. But like Renault of the time, Peugeot did offer some decidedly dodgy special editions! Wasn’t the Meridian logo essentially this: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/Meridian_Broadcasting_logo.png/150px-Meridian_Broadcasting_logo.png

      Your comment regarding ‘quirky’ is spot on. Character seems to be a lost art.

      The Panda has never taken itself too seriously. And I’m guessing most owners are the same.

      Reply
      • Aaron Short says:
        3rd February 2014 at 2:47 pm

        I hope to have another 306 in May, bit quicker than a 1.4 this time though!

        The badge looked like this [img]http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Genuine-Peugeot-306-Meridian-Badge-Decal-A5377-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$T2eC16VHJH8E9qSEWJTVBP8cCFIRt!~~60_35.JPG[img] Looks awful but still better than the older one you posted!

        Always thought panda owners were similar people to its most famous owner, James May. And while my dad (who doesn’t care about his image) likes them, my mum whos very self concious (and bit of a snob!) says its awful and would pay the premium for a 500!

        Reply
  3. BenD says:
    3rd February 2014 at 7:46 pm

    What a fantastic line up. That’s why I love Fiat. A Sporting for me and a Mamy for my better half for a ‘his and hers’ line up??

    Reply
  4. rotation says:
    3rd February 2014 at 9:03 pm

    I love the Italia ’90 one. Second best wheeltrims ever, after this:
    http://tinyurl.com/pmtfeyq

    Reply
  5. Kenny Carwash says:
    24th February 2014 at 12:13 pm

    I’d be interested to learn a little more about the history of the Destriero Prototype. Presumably it was some kind of publicity collaboration with the Aga Khan’s assualt on the Blue Riband in 1992.

    The boat in the background is his ‘super yacht’, the Destriero, which smashed the record for a transatlantic crossing without refuelling. Sadly for old Aga, the Blue Riband is only awarded to commercial passenger vessels and the awarding committee took issue with Destriero being little more than a giant floating fuel tank for its three monstrously powerful gas turbines.

    Still, its astonishing average speed of 53 knots for the entire crossing still stands today and may not be beaten for a long time. It’s hard to imagine anyone being both sufficiently wealthy and mad to fritter away so much money on a boat with literally no other practical use. Poor Destriero spent the next 17 years rotting away in Portsmouth shipyard, I don’t even know if she sailed again.

    Presumably Fiat’s involvement was part of the publicity drive for the whole thing and they knocked up the Destriero Prototype for the crew to zip around in while they were preparing for the challenge.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest PetrolBlog Videos:

https://youtu.be/fXRLAHLNX7M
https://youtu.be/0vnsNaXh7KM

PetrolBlog in print!

Classic.Retro.Modern

Support PetrolBlog – Buy Stickers

  • My car is the goat bumper sticker My car is the G.O.A.T bumper sticker £3.00
  • PetrolBlog sticker PetrolBlog car sticker £4.00
  • Tollfoolery sticker Tollfoolery car bumper sticker £3.50
  • Too Good to Scrap TOO GOOD TO SCRAP window sticker £3.00
  • Tollfoolery sticker Tollfoolery car window sticker £4.00
  • GOAT My car is the G.O.A.T window sticker £3.00
  • PETROLBLOG laptop sticker PetrolBlog laptop sticker £3.00 £2.50
  • Too good to scrap bumper sticker TOO GOOD TO SCRAP bumper sticker/plaster £3.00
  • French Tat bumper sticker #FrenchTat bumper sticker £3.50
  • French Tat window sticker #FrenchTat window sticker £4.00

What you’re saying

  • 18th December 2022

    davidgrayson commented on Would you look good getting out of a Toyota Sera?

  • 12th December 2022

    Lorraine commented on Your reminder that the Lancia Ypsilon is still alive

  • 15th November 2022

    J. Darion DuBois commented on Save it from the ‘Banger Boys’: Peugeot 604

  • 7th November 2022

    Mahmood Razak Bahman commented on Whatever happened to the Proton Coupe?

  • 21st October 2022

    Joey Deacon commented on Whatever happened to the Invacar?

Fresh waffle

  • Citroen 2CV resting on the back of a truck1
    PetrolBlog: the chump is coming back
    13th May 2022
  • 2022 Dacia Jogger in Terracotta1
    The Dacia Jogger is a practical remix of the Matra Rancho
    14th December 2021
  • Toyota Land Cruiser No Time To Die2
    No Time To Die in a Toyota Land Cruiser
    13th December 2021
  • Fahnome Knight Rider build your own KITT0
    Sponsored: K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider is now available as a kit
    17th November 2021
  • Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur rear light7
    The Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur is the future we want
    12th November 2021
  • Club PetrolBlog most beautiful1
    Club PetrolBlog members at their most beautiful
    20th August 2021
  • Renault Avantime in Geneva0
    You won’t believe these facts about French cars
    19th August 2021
  • 2008 Citroen C51
    Berlin or bust: the Unmistakeably German ad campaign
    12th August 2021
  • Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres1
    PetrolBlog looks at Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres
    11th August 2021
  • Toyota Camry V6 and Porsche 9243
    An unexceptional day out in the Toyota Camry V6
    2nd August 2021

Newsletters

PetrolBlog
ABOUT | ADVERTISING / SPONSORSHIP | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS & CONDITIONS | CONTACT US

The world’s least influential car blog since 2010.

Copyright © PetrolBlog.

0
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience and analyse site traffic. We also share information about how you browse our site with our advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you have provided to them or that they have collected for your use of their services.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT