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!

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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!

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.

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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 Far better than some of the old models that our Italian friends use to make.

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alexpa said:

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=...

You cared enough to spend time writing a (poor) post about it

I really like cheap, small cars that are fun/interesting and I am always happy to read about them in the motoring press

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Gridl0k said:

It wasn't until I went to the Alps in winter that I understood the market for these. They're everywhere, and their ancestors too.

The old Panda 4x4 is loveable in many ways.. So dirt cheap and simple!

As an interesting fact of the day.. I think alongside the Defender the really old Panda's are the only production car in the world to have a totally flat windscreen

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LuS1fer said:

The Beetle certainly had a flat windscren prior to the 70s and there must be hundreds of pre 60s cars that had them.

Epic fail on my part then