They are curious animals, pandas - they find it terribly difficult to reproduce, which is all part of their charm and fascination. In fact, there are full-time zoologists and other experts who dedicate their whole lives to helping pandas get it on. Nothing conclusive has come out of these studies, but so far experiments have shown that even Lionel Richie and a nice bottle of Merlot don't help.
Which probably explains why we had to wait so long for the arrival of the heir to that '80s icon, the Fiat Panda. The company has had its problems, but small cars are a no-brainer for the Italian marque. Unlike the various retro offerings on the market at the moment, the Panda remains recognisably Panda whilst being modern, practical and even a little bit stylish. But not retro.
There is reasonable room inside the Panda for four, and whilst it may get a little bit uncomfortable on a long journey, this car is almost as at home on a motorway cruise as it is on an urban crawl - the ride gets bumpy, but this isn't a major issue. The interior feels cheap but cheerful - Fiat has managed to make a virtue out of this and has pitched the car well, with none of the miserliness you sometimes get with budget small cars.
The Panda is a thoroughly entertaining drive, too - it makes you feel like you can throw it around with abandon and the low grip means that you can slide it around in a carefree manner. The entry-level 1.2-litre petrol can be worked hard, and the 1.3-litre diesel is frugal with consumption reaching over 60mpg.
The biggest fun is reserved for the 100HP model. It is easily one of the most enjoyable cars on the market today - the revised chassis makes it an excellent driver's car whilst still retaining the standard car's practicality. The range of models shows the Panda's versatility - there is even a chunkily-styled 4x4 version available for those dicey trips through large puddles.
The Panda clearly shows that Fiat has been on a roll for a few years now under Sergio Marchionne's tutelage. Whilst the Panda cannot match some of its oriental challengers on pure value, it destroys them with its character and personality. That it costs peanuts to run and remains great to drive is a considerable bonus - the other pandas will be proud.