The Fiat Panda has broken a world record by successfully taking two drivers from Cape Town to London without stopping.
Raising money for the charity Farm Africa, Philip Young and Paul Brace successfully beat their target by driving 10,300 miles non-stop through 13 countries and across two continents.
The duo set off on their journey on February 1st and arrived at Marble Arch in London after ten days, 13 hours and 28 minutes.
This meant they broke the previous record by more than a day and saw them averaging 1,000 miles every 24 hours at 40 mph.
Apart from a few modifications, the 0.9-litre TwinAir-engined Fiat Panda was unchanged from showroom specifications, with minor adjustments including sump guards, an extra fuel tank, improved springs, two spare wheels and an air intake positioned at the top of the engine bay.
Mr Young said: "It has been a remarkable time on the road – exciting and exhilarating – and the Fiat Panda was amazing.
"The roads were treacherous, the heat unbearable and the timetable exhausting, but the car never missed a beat.
"This was an extremely tough journey and Fiat can be proud of its reliability and ruggedness."
Individuals in the market for a new car and looking at the latest Fiat deals might therefore consider the Panda for its proven track record over long-distance journeys.
Mr Young and Mr Brace revealed they chose the Panda because it boasts high fuel economy, is light on the road and is known for its consistent performance.
To give the men an opportunity to sleep, a cut-down foam mattress was placed across the back seat for the individual not at the wheel, while the duo had to navigate a range of different terrains as they made their way through countries including South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tunisia.
The news comes after Fiat recently unveiled the latest edition of its Panda 4×4, which aims to combine the features of a city car with the driving experience of a full SUV.
For the best Fiat deals, head to Cars2buy.
Posted by Emma Grange