Alongside the Fiat PanDAKAR at the Autosport International this weekend was another rally machine from the same family that also punches well above its tiny dimensions: the Supergara-developed Panda Evoluzione. This potent rally car, which boasts 157 bhp from its 14-litre 8v engine, first appeared in action last autumn and it performed very impressively in the string of events that it took part in during the latter months of 2006.

At Autosport International, the self-styled world's biggest motorsports show, which was held at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre over the weekend, Fiat Auto UK presented three Panda models on their stand, all of which packed performance and dynamic ambitions usually reserved for bigger cars. Alongside the Supergara-developed Panda Evoluzione was the new PanDAKAR, recently built to take part in the rigorous African Dakar Rally this month, and the new Panda 100HP, the sporty member of the production range. In Birmingham Supergara official test driver Valter Ballestrero, a guiding light behind the project, and co-driver Mita Fermi were both on hand to detail the exciting new project.

The Fiat Panda Evoluzione programme was born out of the Fiat Panda Cup, the Italian grass roots rally championship which features identical-specification Panda rally machines each prepared by Supergara. "The project was born because the boss of Supergara [Mauro Scanavino] wanted to build a faster Panda," explained Valter, at the NEC. "He believed in the Panda and wanted to create a more potent Panda which would also demonstrate Supergara, and the Panda Trofeo series."

The starting point of the Panda Evoluzione project was the Panda Trofeo, and it is in fact an extension of the homologation; it is listed by the FIA as an appendix. "The engineers looked at all the main areas of the Panda Trofeo," continued Valter. "The front suspension geometry is new, the engine and transmission, the weight of the car, and the brakes, all received attention. Technical assistance was supplied by Fiat Auto, who also requested the homologation details." Power was raised to 157 bhp from the 1.4-litre 8v engine, which is mated up to a six-speed sequential gearbox.

The Panda Evoluzione was finished by the end of last May, and was tested by the team until August. With homologation approved on 1st September 2006, it made its debut on the 48th Sanremo Rally, a prestigious round of the Italian Rally Championship (CIR).
 

Despite bad weather severely curtailing the event's action, the car, which was in the hands of 2005 Panda Cup Champion Gianni Barbati, showed its potential. Barbati undertook four other events, each with very differing characteristics, during the the final months of last year as Supergara continued to develop the project.

Valter, who has played a close role in bringing the project to fruition got behind the wheel of the Panda Evoluzione for its final outing of the year, the 15th Rally Internazionale Il Ciocchetto/Memorial Maurizio Perissinot which took place on 15th-17th December. Mita Ferri was in the co-driver's seat. Running in Class S1 the Panda Evoluzione was in giant-killing mode, the pair finishing the rally - which attracted a string much more powerful WRC and GpN machine - in a stunning 7th place overall; the rally won overall by Paolo Ciuffi and Mirko Goggioli in a Peugeot 206 WRC. As well as winning its class it left trailing all the Class N3 cars, such as the Toyota Corolla and Renault Clio RS, the Class A7 entries, including such as the Peugeot 306 and Renault Clio Williams, as well as several GpN machines, including the Mitsubishi Evo IX. And after a dry opening day, damp conditions on the all-tarmac event were not particularly in its favour. Valter and Mita posted 10th fastest time on the first stage of the event when the full field was in action, and sealed a superb result with 5th overall on the final stage. "The car was quick in testing but even we didn't expect it to go as quickly as it did," enthused Valter, "and we were particularly pleased with the first stage, in the dry, where we could show its potential with everyone still in the event."

Further developments for the Panda Evoluzione are now in the pipeline for 2007, with the addition of four throttle bodes (instead of one) expected to raise power output to 162 bhp. Supergara will run two of these cars themselves in Italy this year, and with its potential as a low-cost privateer rally car clearly demonstrated during its competitive outings, they also plan to build customer versions.

by Edd Ellison