Test drive Fiat Panda since 2011 station wagon

How do you live, champion?

In those minutes when the winner of the next Car of the Year contest was determined in Europe, an ultramarine winner of a similar competition of three years ago went to the streets of St. Petersburg.
 

Despite the fact that his triumph happened relatively long ago, road users did not show neglect of the car, and some were even stepped out. It is possible that the dimensions of a passing machine caused usually selfish St. Petersburg drivers, tenderness and persistent desire to help.
 

Any FIAT is now a debutant in our market, even if this debut is caused by a change of guardian. But at the same time, Panda naturally, we are talking about it, is perhaps the only car of the Italian brand presented in 2006, which had a chance of success in Russia in the still pre -Oversele period. If only because the rest entered the market, when the Fiat brand was already interested in few.
 

Probably, with appropriate attention, Panda could become its own: not a sales bestseller, but, in any case, the most successful super -compact. Now, it seems that even unofficial smarts on our streets are more. So, what, Panda missed her chance? Or can she count on something today?
 

We'll take a closer look: yes, outwardly Panda is peculiar, at the amateur: a sharp rise in the windshield, a high roof, a chopped car is compact, but there are no pleasant to the eye of the ladies' elements, so characteristic of most miniature cars. Narrow clicks of lateral mirrors do not distort anything, but they are not reporting a lot. But visibility is good: thanks to the low window line. The overhangs are small, and this is also nice. A compact machine, but gives the impression of a sort of Mikrovena mainly due to a high roof. The same height adds a share of comfort inside: let it be closely in the knees if you climb back, but for the head of the wagon. Moreover, the landing is definitely vertical.
 

Prices:
To date, the most affordable Panda is offered for 340,000 rubles. This is version 1.2 Dynamic with a manual gearbox. You will have to pay 65,000 rubles for the machine, however, rails will be added to the machine. The machine also has a version with all -wheel drive, which, for sure, will appeal to girls and their boyfriends that appreciate in cars not only comfort, but also safety. This option is called 1.2 4x4 Climbing, and they ask for 515,000 rubles for it.
 

The upholstery of the seats is like in Grande Punto (although it is more appropriate to speak here regarding Panda). In general, corporate identity! The backs of the front seats, unlike pillows, have clear side support, but the rear sofa lacks the relief. Does he need it? Need-bewilder! You are especially convinced of this during active maneuvering on our streets. There is nothing to hold on to Panda: there are no absolutely necessary pens on the doors.
 

The steering wheel is not remarkable in appearance, but convenient in circulation. In addition, the parallels with Punto are appropriate again, the Dualdrive electric power capture has two operating modes.
 

And the Italians managed to fit everything necessary for the driver and passenger at the central console: here is the gearbox lever, electric windows, the steering power control buttons, air conditioning, mirrors, etc.
  

Well, I won’t say anything about the features of luggage placement: official dimensions will definitely say for me. It turns out only the size of the glove compartment is narrow and long: when you try to reach the far wall, it seems that now you will pull the engine into the salon.
 

By the way, about the engine: a 1.2-liter motor copes well with the duties of carrying an 865-kilogram car, even if it is lucky for four passengers adding another third of a ton. The acceleration is somewhat twitching, but the failures during switching can be softened by manipulations with the gas pedal: you just need to adopt a little weaker to the gas before the transition for increased gear. If you do not do this, you will nod constantly
 

If you suddenly want to compete with someone in speed and feel a drive, the gas pedal will have to be kept in the floor and work actively, since it is frankly cotton, and small twitching will not give a reverse reaction.
 

Panda suspension is very comfortable. Longitudinal and transverse swinging is very noticeable, but in general the car goes softly through the pits, guaranteeing smoothness. It is worth getting a wheel in a hole in the asphalt at a higher speed that the blow will be loud, but not strong. But due to the softness of the suspension, we get rolls and delay in the snake.
 

It remains to mention even evil brakes (even a small blow to them will cause nods of the driver and passenger) and note that the modest Panda dimensions can really be relevant not only by the conditions of tiny Western European cities, but also in a metropolis as Petersburg. And not even during parking, but on the road: when turning at the intersection, when everyone went to him at the same time, Panda briskly slipped forward.
 

The advantages of Panda are obvious, but they are compact in every sense. And for most of our motorists, the size matters. The prospects of Panda depend on non -automatic factors, and on the attitude of the average amateur motorist. So, to predict commercial success to the European means not understanding anything in the mysterious Russian soul.
 



The car was provided for the test company Elva Motors


Text: Philip Berezin
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 110/2006]