Turin - The Italian car maker Fiat has extended the 2007 model range with a snazzy sports model and an eco-car with both petrol and natural gas (CNG) drive.
The sports Panda HP is fitted with a 1.4 litre 75 kW/100 hp power unit, a harder chassis and more powerful brakes. It reaches a top speed of 185 km/h accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and consumes 6.5 l/100 km over a combined cycle, according to the car maker.
The Panda 100 HP has a chrome spoiler and exhaust pipes, special bumpers with a sporty grille and 15-inch alloy rims on the outside.
The interior is fitted with a sports steering wheel, sports seats and a 'sport' button to adjust steering power and the response of the accelerator pedal.
The green-powered Fiat Panda is scheduled for launch in early 2007. It will be available in dual energy drive, either with natural gas (CNG) or conventional petrol. The 39 kW/52 hp vehicle is fitted with two additional 72 litre gas tanks placed in the floorpan derived from the 4x4 version. The two tanks are fitted in such a way that the same amount of room for passengers and luggage is available as in the original model.
The additional tanks provide a range of around 300 kilometres when only CNG is used. The fuel tank capacity remains unchanged compared to the petrol version (30 litres).
Fiat describes itself as a major supplier of CNG vehicles in Europe, selling last year 24,000 units fitted with natural power.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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