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"  Thirty-two years and 6.4 million sales after Fiat launched Giugiaro&amp;#039;s flat-paneled Panda, the Italians have produced this third generation of what was originally described as a `peasants&amp;#039; car.  Well, it has matured somewhat over the decades and morphed into a quite sophisticated urban car. Some may argue about what is described as its `squircle&amp;#039; design themes, but in the metal it has a functionality to it that is quite appealing while the interior is enhanced with Panda motifs on the trim.  Fiat does small cars very well and this one is no exception. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s not about size but how you use it,&amp;quot; I was told when I asked about the 14 storage compartments dotted about the cabin.  This latest Panda manages to combine sufficient leg and head room for a couple of six-footers with a modicum of space for child-sized rear-seat occupants, even if the driving position was a tad too high for my liking.  On the road it performs with verve, the Twinair revving with abandon, although that will ultimately detract from overall fuel consumption figures. There&amp;#039;s a Multijet diesel as well that will be more popular across the Channel, though less so here in the UK where the additional purchase price and the higher cost of diesel mitigates against small capacity diesels.  The most popular engine of all is likely to be the 1.2-liter Fire, good enough for 45 (US) mpg, 102 mph and 14.2 secs to 62 mph.  The ride for a small car (it only has a 90-in. wheelbase) is surprisingly supple and the steering communicative and well weighted.  There&amp;#039;s a four-wheel-drive version, using a viscous coupling to the rear wheels, due in the fall and it&amp;#039;s even rumored that there is going to be a hot version. Related posts:   2012 Fiat Cabrio Priced At $20,000 First Photos: Fiat 500L \u2013 2012 Geneva Auto Show Preview Jay Leno to Auction his Fiat 500 \u2013 2012 Monterey Auctions  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/a21585/first-drive-2012-fiat-panda-32476/>