For the city pick up the new Panda

THERE’S always someone who, while you love them dearly, always outstays their welcome at parties.

The automotive equivalent is the Fiat Panda – a model that continues to plod on with minimal changes (it hasn’t had a major update since its introduction in 2011), yet buyers continue to fall for its charms.

Not least in Italy, where it continues to be their bestselling car by a significant margin.

But nine years without any major changes is a long time in the automotive world, so can a new hybrid-powered Panda bring this model back to form, and what’s new?

Well, aside from the powertrain, very little. No, it’s what’s under the teeny tiny bonnet that’s the headline here.

But don’t be fooled by the “Hybrid” badging, as this isn’t a full electric model, but rather a “mild-hybrid”, which sees a 12-volt belt-integrated starter generator and battery being integrated into the powertrain to bring noticeable efficiency benefits.

There’s a special edition to mark the occasion, painted in a new ‘Dew Green’ colour, along with being fitted with seats made from a material derived from recycled plastic.

Previously, the only thing older than the Panda itself was its 1.2-litre petrol engine, which Fiat had been using for decades.

But for this latest model, it comes with a new 1.0-litre petrol engine that’s joined with the aforementioned electrical gubbins and a six-speed manual gearbox.

It can’t be faulted for its efficiency, with Fiat claiming it will return 50.4mpg, along with CO2 emissions of 126g/km. With such dinky dimensions, great visibility and impressively light steering, it is a phenomenal fit in an urban environment.

If you like the way the Panda looks, do all your driving in the city and want something impressively cheap to run, this Fiat is worth considering.