RE: Paris 2012: Fiat Panda 4x4

RE: Paris 2012: Fiat Panda 4x4

Thursday 27th September 2012

Paris 2012: Fiat Panda 4x4

Perhaps not an obvious PH hero the return of the 4x4 Panda is nonetheless something we cheer!



The Panda 4x4 is the only four-wheel drive model in the A segment – and that’s why we like it. It’s different. So different in fact that you can bet hardly anyone in Britain will buy this new one. Which will be a shame if it’s anything like as good as the old one.

The new Panda 4x4’s torque-on-demand, permanent four-wheel drive transmission has two diffs and an electronically-controlled coupling. Traction is automatically distributed between the front and rear axle according to grip conditions.

It's the real-world Range Rover ... honest!
It's the real-world Range Rover ... honest!
Fiat says it’s as happy to tackle mountain mule tracks as it is the urban jungle. Not many mule tracks round our way, but the standard ESC stability control system and ELD (Electronic Locking Differential) function should be useful for scrabbling up more challenging sleeping policemen when council grit supplies run out two days into winter. The ELD function is switchable and operates below 30mph.

Two engine versions are available, both with Start&Stop: the new 85hp 0.9 TwinAir Turbo and the 75 HP 1.3 MultiJet II diesel. That TwinAir should be good in this application as it has 40 per cent more torque than the willing but basically gutless 1.2 Fire of the previous generation.

The rear suspension is lighter and both the ride and cabin noise are improved, says Fiat. It’s well equipped too with climate control, CD/MP3 radio, and what they call burnished 15-inch alloy rims.

Fiat will be showing another ‘regular’ Panda at Paris, the Natural Power. We only mention it because its TwinAir Turbo motor is dual-fuel, running on either petrol or methane. Insert your own jokes here, but it’s an interesting contribution to the debate and shows there’s life in the old IC engine yet.

Author
Discussion

BeirutTaxi

Original Poster:

6,627 posts

213 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Has anyone driven the new Twinair engine? If so what's it like?

I think these new Fiat's such as the 500 and Panda look great smile Far better than some of the old models that our Italian friends use to make.

Motorrad

6,811 posts

186 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
I like it but it's a shame they have to 'butch' it up with plastic cladding. Better would be a base model, on steelies, no bullst addons and a lower list price.

BigTom85

1,927 posts

170 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
This looks massive compared to the previous Panda. I really like the look of the thing though smile

pherlopolus

2,087 posts

157 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Have they released the price for the UK yet?

SystemParanoia

14,343 posts

197 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
how much is it.. as the Dacia Duster will ve very much on the radar of anyone looking for a cheap 4x4


Motorrad

6,811 posts

186 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
pherlopolus said:
Have they released the price for the UK yet?
I suspect it's going to be perilously close to the Duster.

pherlopolus

2,087 posts

157 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
I'm guessing between 10-14k then depending on trim... be great for the good lady but I fear she is surgically attached to her focus.

Greg 172

233 posts

200 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
BigTom85 said:
This looks massive compared to the previous Panda. I really like the look of the thing though smile
I think that's just the photos making it look massive. I reckon it's not much bigger than before.

BigTom85

1,927 posts

170 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Greg 172 said:
BigTom85 said:
This looks massive compared to the previous Panda. I really like the look of the thing though smile
I think that's just the photos making it look massive. I reckon it's not much bigger than before.
I had to look into this. OK, I've used Parkers, but old 1.2 Dynamic vs current 1.2 Pop.

Dimension Old Panda Current Panda
Length 3538 3653
Width 1578 1882
Height 1540 1551
Weight 860 1015

HorneyMX5

5,306 posts

149 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Greg 172 said:
BigTom85 said:
This looks massive compared to the previous Panda. I really like the look of the thing though smile
I think that's just the photos making it look massive. I reckon it's not much bigger than before.
I suspect it's exactly the same size as the body shell is essentially yhe same with some styling tweaks.

This car is really everything the modern woman who just wants transport for her and her children really need. It's safe, can carry a couple of kids and all their gear, good on fuel, can handle tricky weather and cheap to run and buy. My Uncles Girlfriend would be a prime candidate except it will be impossible to get her out of her Grande Cherokee.

Nick

alexpa

644 posts

171 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
who cares about the Panda 4x4?

where are your pics of the F70 Tub, Mclaren P1 etc...

for those that are interested:
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/26/mclaren-p1-supe...

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=...




renrut

1,478 posts

204 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
hora said:
It looks AWESOME in that green. So much so that I WANT one.
+1
I really like that colour and I've always liked the Panda over the 500, something more sensible and useful about it.

A Scotsman

1,000 posts

198 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
I had an original Panda 4x4 from the 80s and it was a genuine go anywhere machine that was absolutely first class in the snow in Scotland and often outperformed much more expensive hardware.

Sadly and like many Fiats of its era it began to succumb to the dreaded tin worm and despite my brave efforts I eventually had to admit defeat and scrap it. I even tried to buy a new body shell from Fiat but they refused to sell me one. A terrible waste as it had only done 120,000 miles!


Fartgalen

6,627 posts

206 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Without having driven it, or seeing one IRL. I have to say it looks st.

psychoR1

1,069 posts

186 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
A Scotsman said:
I had an original Panda 4x4 from the 80s and it was a genuine go anywhere machine that was absolutely first class in the snow in Scotland and often outperformed much more expensive hardware.

Sadly and like many Fiats of its era it began to succumb to the dreaded tin worm and despite my brave efforts I eventually had to admit defeat and scrap it. I even tried to buy a new body shell from Fiat but they refused to sell me one. A terrible waste as it had only done 120,000 miles!
Fiats of that era and slightly early were the drivers cars of the time - way ahead of the competition for engines and dynamics FIRE Engines and the Twin Cams. Rot was the problem that they are remembered for although Honda and many others had similar problems at the time.....Ford and VAG were meanwhile busing inventing valve stem oil seal and MAF failure etc.....

Its good that we see Fiat winning the drivers car rep back with the Panda, Punto and 500.....

jimbro1000

1,619 posts

283 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
psychoR1 said:
Fiats of that era and slightly early were the drivers cars of the time - way ahead of the competition for engines and dynamics FIRE Engines and the Twin Cams. Rot was the problem that they are remembered for although Honda and many others had similar problems at the time.....Ford and VAG were meanwhile busing inventing valve stem oil seal and MAF failure etc.....

Its good that we see Fiat winning the drivers car rep back with the Panda, Punto and 500.....
All manufacturers has problems back then - not just one or two. The Uno was the first Fiat car that saw proper anti-corrosion treatment by modern standards. The Panda was one of the last *not* to get the full treatment.

None of them rotted like old brit-boxes or the much maligned Lancia beta

JonnyO

237 posts

199 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
BeirutTaxi said:
Has anyone driven the new Twinair engine? If so what's it like?
Have one in our 500.
Its a good engine. Torquey, willing and suits the 500 well.
It does have its problems though. Its a bit noisy, some think its a bit unrefined (but I like that in the 500), as it only has 2 cylinders your brain seems to think its not revving as high as it is so I have often hit the rev limiter in it (and never done that before in countless other cars) and finally it can't get anywhere near its claimed mpg. 50mpg on a run is the best I've achieved.
However, I'd have another in a heartbeat. Its character outweighs the bad points and I like its 'green-ness'.

Twincam16

27,646 posts

257 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
I like the Panda 4x4. I often wonder whether Fiat could get away with lowering and stiffening the suspension, fitting a more powerful engine and making it a kind of latter-day mini-Integrale.

Come to think of it, isn't there a Lancia based on the Panda floorplan? They could do it with that and even call it an Integrale. Then enter it in the IRC.

Whiters

364 posts

238 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Great that it's getting the Twin Air. I had considered chopping in the 100 for a 4x4 for the winter months, but for its relaxed on road performance. With the twin-air and a little bit of chipping, this 4x4 could be the perfect all year round commuter with a bit of green-lane fun thrown in.

Just remembered this from 5th Gear a few years back. Everyone loves an underdog:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjPJNSZOPm8

Harry H

3,377 posts

155 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Motorrad said:
I like it but it's a shame they have to 'butch' it up with plastic cladding. Better would be a base model, on steelies, no bullst addons and a lower list price.
This. I loved the original Panda for it's total simplicity. Was always my preferred holiday rental machine.