STILL GOING STRONG

F there's one car maker renowned worldwide for making excellent small, family affordable, hatchback cars over several decades there's only really one contender - the Italians at Fiat with their dinky Panda.

- BY DAVID WARD

This trusty little road runner first appeared in the UK back in 1981 (replacing the old rear engined Fiat 126) as a true value-for-money three-door car and over the ensuing years sold millions across Europe with a second four-door model generation emerging in 2003 and finally a third generation in 2011.

All kinds of variants have evolved over the 45-plus years ranging from 4x4 models to even a small van conversion and despite ever changing market trends and with new technology the Panda has remained quite an iconic car - still affordable, cheap to run, practical and versatile for the more budget-conscious family motorist.

On the subsequent various model press launches over the years - one can remember driving the rather crude but efficient 4x4 system model in thick snow up and down some Italian Alpine pass and it never missed a beat - so a consistent affection from this motoring journalist always meant a soft spot for the car.

This was brought back home again earlier this month when hiring a Panda - now called a Panda Hybrid - from Pescara airport for a holiday trek up the coast and into the hills where again it never let one down.