Fiat Panda is a lively, noisy motor at times

WE Irish are definitely different to our European neighbours in many ways.

One of them is in motoring. The Fiat Panda is very popular in Italy and in mainland Europe, but not a huge seller around these parts. Indeed one fifth of Panda buyers across Europe make it their primary car, while in Ireland the Panda would be seen as an urban car or city runaround. But then I suppose the world would be a very boring place if we all had the same taste in cars.

The Panda continues to do be the top seller in Italy where, like

Ireland, new car sales continue to fall. Indeed in Italy it’s predicted that for the first time since the mass production of cars began in 1946 more cars will be disposed of than new ones bought this year.

In Ireland Alan Nolan, Director General of the Society of Irish Motorists has called again for the Government to introduce a second registration plate system mid-year to create a second annual sales spike. In the current set up as we enter June we know that already nearly 80 per cent of new cars for the year have probably been sold by now.

With another scrappage deal a long way off, a second number plate for July-December could be worth a try.

But back to the Panda, third version is slightly taller, wider and longer than the old version. The family appreciated the high seating position and it reminded me of the Nissan Note, which is not a bad comparison. While the external look remains much the same we are told that the car has got a completely now look, every panel, every detail inside and outside has been changed.

The exterior is attractive and the interior is very bright thanks to the use of plenty of cream colouring on the seats, doors and dash. The gear lever is incorporated into the dash area and is very neat.

Unusually there is an open-style glove compartment. The seats are further brightened by red and grey squares on the two front seats. You also get a small TomTom Sat Nav on the dash. The radio works well, but the controls are a bit flimsy.

You could squeeze three adults in the back, but it’s tight and the back seat would probably be more comfortable with just two people. The boot is a decent size and you get a very useful rubber mat which is a brilliant idea. I drove a 1.2 petrol version and there were times when I needed to really work through the five gears for overtaking. Still it’s a lively, if somewhat noisy motor at times.

No doubt the car is best suited to city driving and I found myself like a jockey sometimes squeezing up to the traffic lights in the inside lane! And you can turn on the proverbial sixpence. Over six million Pandas have been sold worldwide since the car was first introduced in 1980 and with prices starting at e11,995 for the entry level Pop version, the Panda is certainly is worth a test drive; whether this former European Car of the Year will be your primary or second family car, will I suppose, depend on your own financial circumstances.