FIAT Auto's new Panda, which went on sale here at the start of the year, has swept the board at Auto Express magazine's Annual New Car Honours, coming away not only with top spot in the Budget Car and City Car categories, but also winning the coveted overall supreme honour of Auto Express Car of the Year.

New Panda, voted Car of the Year 2004 by a wide ranging international jury of senior motoring journalists late last year, has already attracted a string of awards from the media, which has been repeatedly impressed by its winning combination of build quality, space, refinement, big car feel, comfort, driving pleasure and value for money.

Now comes the ultimate accolade from Britain's biggest selling weekly car magazine, Auto Express, which was unstinting in its praise:

"It's not every day that a new model comes along and sets such high standards that many rivals instantly appear obsolete. However that has been the case this year. Despite stiff competition for this coveted award, the Panda stood head and shoulders above its opponents. So what makes it so good? Well, it's a small car that thinks big, acts tough and puts some zest and fun back into your daily driving.