Just weeks before it is set to arrive in the dealerships the new Fiat Panda 100 HP has made its full UK debut at the MPH06 motor show in Birmingham, lining up next to its rally-derived compatriot, the potent little Panda Abarth Rally. The Panda 100 HP's first UK appearance quickly follows its world debut which took place under the bright lights of last month's prestigious Paris Mondial de l'Automobile where it was the star of Fiat's stand. MPH06 showcases performance, sports and prestige cars in a two-venue event: last week and weekend at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, and from Wednesday, at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London.

The new Panda 100 HP gives the European 'Car of the Year' award winning A-segment range a truly sporty and high-performance model for the first time. It is fitted with Fiat's 1.4-litre 16v FIRE engine which in this guise gives out 100bhp (at 6,000rpm), hence the new name, as well as 97lb/ft of torque. With a six-speed gearbox, disc brakes all-round (ventilated at the front), new springs, dampers and bushes, the well-developed Panda package is now given a new more dynamic edge.

With a kerb weight of 1015kg,  the Panda 100 HP achieves the sprint from standstill to 62mph in 9.5s and hits a maximum speed of 115mph, while still offering economical fuel consumption (43.4mpg in the combined cycle) and modest (154g/km CO2) emissions. Externally, both the front and rear bumpers are a new, sporty design. A chrome tailpipe is standard, as are body coloured door handles and wing mirrors. The wheel arches are enlarged and blend into new sideskirts.
 

Right next to the new Panda 100 HP at MPH06, which was held at the National Exhibition Centre last week (the show ran from Thursday to Sunday) was positioned its rally-bred sister, the Panda Abarth Rally, another tiny - but very potent - machine that was created to allow budding Italian rally drivers to get a foot on the ladder. The Fiat Panda Rally Cup, fully supported by Fiat Auto, is now coming to the end of its second year, with just one rally remaining to be run. Around twenty of these little cars have been contesting this years 9-round Italian-based series, which includes several prestigious events that also count towards the national rally championship (CIR).

The cars are built and run by carck rally preparation outfit Supergara, and while the cars maybe very small the punch they pack is certainly impressive: the Panda Abarth Rally turns out 130 bhp (at 7,800 rpm) out of its 1242cc 4-cyl engine. Giving "grass roots" drivers a real feel for the world of rallying the car has a six-speed gearbox and 6x15 inch OZ wheels with 285mm ventilated brake discs at the front (245 mm at the rear). Helping the driver on his way up the ladder, the series winner receives a Punto Abarth Kit Car as his prize, while the Under-25 category winner gets 150,000 euros. The second placed Under-25 driver is given 100,000 euros while third takes away 50,000 euros.