The Fiat Panda, which is celebrating its most successful year yet, has been launched in "Model Year 2010" format which comprises of some cosmetic changes, new exterior colours, new interior trims and a new Euro 5 1.2-litre engine.

The Fiat Panda has been launched onto the Italian market in "Model Year 2010" format which comprises of a few minor cosmetic changes, new exterior colours, new interior trims and a new Euro 5 compliant 1.2-litre engine. Launched onto the market exactly six years ago in September 2003 the Panda has been a huge success story for Fiat and it is the A-segment leader in Europe with 1.5 million sold so far while Fiat reports that with the 5-door hatchback set to sell 285,000 units this year that will mean that 2009 will have been its most successful year to date. The arrival of the tweaked MY2010 version comes just as Fiat puts back a comprehensive facelift of the Panda until 2010. It had been scheduled for launch next year.

The Panda platform has proved to be modern and versatile and in the mould of the original model it has spawned an array of niche models including a 4x4, SUV, the brash fashion-inspired Alessi, the ecologically-conscious Natural Power and GPL, and a unashamedly sporty and thrilling version, the 100 HP. It also features a range of engines from 54 to 100 bhp, the option of petrol, diesel, methane and GPL power, manual or roboticised Dualogic transmission, and front- or four-wheel-drive, the latter featuring an electronic self-locking differential together with ESP (Electronic Stability Programme).

The biggest change on the MY2010 version is the arrival of a new 69 bhp (50.7 kW) Euro 5 compliant 1.2 litre (1242cc) petrol engine which replaces the existing 60 bhp unit and joins the 1.1 and 1.4 litre units in the petrol engine line-up. It is highly efficient, emitting just 113 kg/m of CO2. This is only the second change to the petrol engine line-up since its launch in 2003 which saw the Panda kicking off with a 1.1 litre 8v unit taken from the Seicento it replaced, offered alongside a 1.2 litre unit. The arrival of the sporty 100 HP model saw the small car getting a pokey 1.4 litre 16v engine with 100 bhp. The diesel line-up remains unchanged into 2010 with the 70 bhp 1.3 Multijet 16v version lining up alongside a DPF (particulate filter) option with 75 bhp.

The Panda's success is clearly demonstrated by the advanced Natural Power version, which offers dual petrol/methane propulsion. Since it was launched in 2007 no less than 120,000 Panda Natural Powers have been sold, confirming its leadership in this segment, and this option currently attracts 5,000 euros of discounts from the Italian government.

There are some detailed cosmetic changes to the MY2010 Panda, with the most noticeable being the front grille which is now colour coded on the finishing surfaces above and below the slatted section. The second change is new door mirrors that are larger and improve safety by giving the driver a better rear view. On the higher specification versions (Dynamic, Emotion, Climbing and Cross) the mirror shell is colour coded. There are also three new body colours: Grigio/Blu (grey/blue), Grigio/Giallo (grey/yellow) and Grigio/Barolo (grey/brown) while the Panda Climbing in Emotion specification is offered in Nero, Sabbia and Rosso. The external tweaks to the car are completed by new hub caps. Inside there is now an acoustic announcer for when the seatbelts are not connected as well as several bright new trim colours: Giallo Birichino, Azzurro Cuor leggero, Blu Bastian Contrario and Rosso Arzillo, that keep the cabin looking fresh and fashionable.

The Model Year 2010 Panda range in Italy kicks off with the entry-level Panda 1.1 Active Eco which is priced at 8,850 euros (and attracts a government subsidy of 1,500 euros, valid until December 31). The highest specification petrol version is the 100 HP priced at 13,750 euros, while the top turbodiesel version is the 1.3 Multijet 16v DPF Emotion at 14,800. On the ecological front the 1.2 Dynamic GPL version costs 12,400 euros and the Natural Power range starts at 14,050 euros for the 1.2 Dynamic option rising to 18,050 euros for the Panda Cross Natural Power. The GPL version though attracts a discount of 3,500 euros while the Natural Power attracts a 5,000 euros government subsidy.