Fiat Panda's endurance highlighted in epic road test

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White used car with a large Union Jack decal on the hood driving on a dusty red dirt road in a rural area with sparse trees and clear blue sky, showcasing a new car in an off-road setting.
White used car with a large Union Jack decal on the hood driving on a dusty red dirt road in a rural area with sparse trees and clear blue sky, showcasing a new car in an off-road setting.

An extremely reliable Fiat Panda has entered the history books after travelling from Cape Town to London in record time.

Adventurers Philip Young and Paul Brace managed to travel 10,300 miles in their exceptional Panda car - a road trip which saw them cross through two continents.

However, despite having to navigate across challenging terrains in South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Italy and France, the pair reached London's Hyde Park having set off from Cape Town just ten days, 13 hours and 28 minutes earlier.

The time meant that the Fiat Panda - fitted with only a 0.9-litre TwinAir engine - shattered the previous record for travelling from Cape Town to London, in either direction, by more than a day.

It should also be noted that the only modifications made to the vehicle when compared to the showroom model were the installation of an extra fuel tank, two spare wheels, sump guards, stronger springs and the fact that the air intake was moved to the top of the car's engine bay.

Upon reaching the finish line in the UK's capital, Mr Young reflected: "It has been a remarkable time on the road - exciting and exhilarating - and the Fiat Panda was amazing."

Posted by Craig Salter
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