Fiat Panda review (19/09/2012)
In the January – June registration period this year Fiat had a 0.92% market share in Ireland.
Fiat will tell you that it has had neither product nor pricing strategies which would allow it perform to its full potential here, but the stark figures are still shocking.
Fiat are now marketing seven models, dominated by the 500 and 500C, the Punto Evo, the Bravo and two van-derived cars, the Qubo and the Doblo. The one missing from that list is perhaps the single most forgotten car in the Fiat stable — the Panda. And I would have to say that the fact it is a forgotten car is something close to a scandal because it is one of the most useful, spacious, practical and underrated cars available anywhere.
I remember the original Panda which was introduced in 1980 and was all square and boxy and equipped with curious ‘chicken wire’ seats, and occasionally sold with distinctive black and white ‘Panda’ livery. It also only cost about ten bob new. It sold in large numbers across Europe, partly because of its cutesy practicality and mostly because it cost so little.
It was a car of robust mechanical simplicity (vis the leaf spring rear suspension) and untrammelled utilitarian practicality. It was a ‘no frills’ form of transport before Michael O’Leary ever thought of it.
As the Panda brand evolved it rarely strayed too far from its original roots. When Fiat eventually decided to breathe new life into the Panda, they were more than radical in their
approach.
The second generation was a high bodied car more reminiscent of a mini MPV or a mini SUV and it was an instant success, winning the European Car of the Year in 2004. Its success was based on the fact that it was not just a city car or an economic choice; it was a car which crossed many design boundaries and thus became an ‘everyman’ car which appealed across every social and economic threshold.
Last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show saw the unveiling of the third generation of the Panda and I was charmed and delighted to reacquaint myself with this all-things-to-all-men
machine.
The new car is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, although retaining much of the practical appeal. It is also way better equipped and designed to be a lot safer than what went before. Exterior and interior styling has also been upgraded and all of these things combine to make the new Panda a hugely appealing choice. It is also very attractively priced.
There is room for five adults, thanks largely to the expanded rear accommodation where there is greater legroom and headroom. Multi-adjustable seats provide excellent practicality and the boot is bigger too.
From the driver’s point of view the high seating position makes for an
excellent all-round visibility and the dashboard layout is very easily assimilated and works well. The fact the dash also houses some 14 storage compartments is nearly startling.
Our ‘Easy’ spec machine was powered by Fiat ubiquitous 1.2 litre FIRE engine which outputs 69 bhp and a decent 102 Nm of torque. The 0-100 kph dash is achieved in 14.2 seconds and top speed is 164 kph, while it will also return 5.2 l/100km (almost 53 mpg). A five speed gearbox is standard.
It has to be said that the engine is not the most powerful around right now, but it is a decent prospect to live with thanks to improved refinement and efficiency. It is very comfortable in the urban environment and certainly does not disgrace itself on the open road either.
Fiat has done a lot of work around the basic suspension package of MacPherson front/beam axle rear to improve handling and tighten up the ride. The result is a much less understeery machine and one which rolls less and whose electric power steering is much more driver-friendly. They have also done a lot of work to quash engine and tyre noise and the result made the cabin an even more pleasing place to be.
The Easy spec provides for air con, remote central locking, roof rails and a host of decent stuff, but things like ESP, parking sensors and such are all added extras.
I really liked the Panda. It appealed to me on several levels — emotional and practical — and I really hope that this new machine can breathe new life into Fiat sales here in Ireland.
car is already a huge success across Europe and it typifies Fiat’s
excellence in manufacturing small, practical, clever and attractive small cars. I really do hope it does something for their sales here in Ireland
because it deserves to.
