Test Drive Fiat Panda since 2003 Hatchback

Tooty Panda.

Small Fiat Panda 4x4 car single and unique! No one, except Fiat, does not offer all-wheel drive transmission for democratic, seemingly purely urban class A citizens.
Big clearance, plastic body kit, connected rear drive Panda inflates cheeks? A trip to a small car from Milan in Bologna and back, the march of rural roads erased from my face an indulgent smile.
 
FIAT PANDA 4X4 today you can buy in Russia, but the first small batch of all-wheel drive cars, despite the impressive price of $ 19,500, Russian dealers diverged unexpectedly quickly. Therefore, the test drive was easier to organize in Italy. On Panda 4x4, I went to Bologna, located near the birth of Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini. I did not choose the most representative machine for such a trip, you will say. Nothing, I did not combine. Panda 4x4 in its class also to some extent Supercar, soothe myself, choosing on a lively motorway. Diesel motor with a volume of 1.3 liters (70 hp) confidently dispersed the car to cruising 150 km / h. Unlike the gasoline motor, diesel gives the car with quite acceptable dynamics: up to 100 km / h. All-wheel drive Panda accelerates for 13 s (the gasoline version is required for it. But faster 150 km / h Panda did not want to go. I had enough time to find the arguments confirming the special status of this funny (while I took it exactly that way) the car.
The first all-wheel drive Panda 4x4 Trekking was released in 1983. Until now, these cars are not uncommon in alpine passes. Their design itself is simplicity: continuous rear axle with forced connection, flat body panels, simple salon. The transmission of the first full-wheel drive PANDA has developed and manufactured by the Austrian Steyr-Daimler-Puch company, specializing in the release of serious SUVs, such as famous Gelandewagen. Panda 4x4 Trekking differed endurance and was not afraid of bad roads. She stood on the conveyor for ten years. During this time, more than 200 thousand copies of this model were released.
 
New Panda 4x4, the release of which began in the fall of 2003, no longer callout. The car has a high, almost single-volume body, a considerable 165 mm road clearance (compared to the front-wheel drive Panda plus 50 mm). Massive front and rear bumpers, impressive plastic lining on the sidewalls and wheeled arches. Wide 14-inch wheels are placed as close as possible to the corners of the body. Sails minimal. The view of the car shock. It seems that he does not give himself offense.
 
Completed car, despite the class, very impressive: power windows, climate control, radio tape recorder with a CD, on-board computer, four airbags felt that the car was created not only and not so much for rural residents. It is designed for citizens who prefer to the weekend active rest. By the way, Panda 4x4 is supplied exclusively in Russia only in the richest configuration.
 
Front panel design original and modern. Conveniently and stylishly contemporated climate control unit. The gear lever is located on the tilt of the central console. Fabric coverage of seats and door panels are unusual on texture and color nevertheless inside the car, despite the tricks of designers, does not look expensive and prestigious. Plastic used in the interior decoration, slippery, rigid and some kind of chlippy. The joints in the panels are not ideal in my opinion, on the feeling of the quality of the assembly of the Panda salon, markedly loses with Japanese, and German competitors.
 
Behind the wheel Panda 4x4 is quite convenient. At least they do not feel pushed into anyone. Landing is high, as on the present SUV. To the fact that the elbow rests on the door panel, you get used to quickly. The KP lever is located optimally, however, its mechanism does not please ease and clarify switching. The chairs do not have pronounced lateral support, but thanks to the tank chain, the body is well held in steep turns. The four-hour ride on the autobahn is not too tired. Despite the low maximum speed, Panda 4x4 is quite suitable for long-range movements of noise from the motor and incoming air flows are not pressed on the ears, the straight car stands confidently, the lateral gusts of the wind are not knocked down from a given trajectory.
 
True, it is better to go to Panda long journeys. In the rear seats, closely two adults on them, of course, will fit, but I think, after half an hour they will start to ask the will. The trunk of Panda is small it is designed to a maximum of two medium-sized travel bags. However, its volume is easy to increase by folding the back of the rear seat.
 
The first generation of Fiat Panda 4x4, judging by the design and simplicity of the design, was created for the countryside. New all-wheel drive Panda urban resident. On the narrow roads of Bologna car felt confident. Small dimensions. High landing. Good visibility. A lightweight steering wheel that becomes just weightless in urban mode (in order to activate it, just press the button on the front panel).
 
The first and second transfer of all-wheel drive Panda short. Such an algorithm of working KP is convenient to off-road, but in the city from the engine and the gearbox are waiting for greater elasticity. It was unpleasant surprised in the city mode of movement of the car dongy during a slowdown if it does not turn off the III or IV transmission on time, the motor even on small turns when braking continues to carry the car forward.
 
Suspension of all-wheel drive Panda works in detail with small irregularities. The car is fun jumping on the gentle asphalt waves. In turns, he resembles large professional SUVs noticeably roll and slides outward turning with front wheels. But at the same time, even despite the non-informative steering wheel, the behavior of the car is very predictable. If you go in turn, a little faster, Panda will first begin to slip outwards, and the dumping gas can go to the skid. In this case, the Viscouft connects the rear axle, and the car can be conducted in lateral slide. But all these tricks are possible on slippery gravel, wet dirt road or ice. On the asphalt put Panda to the drifts there is no desire and the possibility at high speed too large rolls, high landing and chairs without side support quickly beat off the hunt for such behavior.
 
Panda 4x4 In the city that the bear in the zoo: the wild beast in the cage seems cute and funny, but its true character is manifested in nature. On the country road about all asphalt laptops of all-wheel drive Panda forget instantly! Pits-ditches, place of stones, cross-gates, roots of trees Pendant simply does not notice these troubles. Not a single breakdown, smooth stroke gorgeous! Amazing transformation: on the asphalt I perceived Panda as a cluster, and on the cafeter of the car became collected and strong. It looks like a real athlete of a representative of lightweight from free or classical struggle.
 
In the usual mode of movement on the front axis of the car accounts for 98% of the torque. In the case of slipping the front wheels of the Viscounts, automatically throws the moment on the rear axle. You can select the permanent full drive mode for this, just press the button on the instrument panel. The independent suspension of the rear wheels on powerful levers increases the geometric PANDA permeability.
 
Light all-wheel drive car is fantastic! In the snow it will not be stuck, from the sand will be chosen. And if it is stuck, then for evacuation, the tractor will not need a lightweight car (Panda weighs less tons) and you can take it on the hands! The manufacturer assures that Panda 4x4 is capable of overcome 50% climb, that is, with an angle of 22.5, and the depth of the brown is 40 cm.
 
This year, the special version of the Compact SUV Fiat Panda Cross took part in the Rally Parlyhar. The car performed in the category T2 nearest to serial machines. At the time of signing the room to print the results of the race were not yet known, but after acquaintance with Panda 4x4 I am sure that this car did not fail. Curious item: All all-wheel drive Panda enroll in the cabins of dealers with winter tires. Serious approach
Specifications Fiat Panda 4x4 1.2
Dimensions, mm 3575x1605x1630
Base, mm 2305
Pitch in front / rear, mm 1366/1358
Diameter of reversal, m 9.6
Curb weight, kg 980
Engine type gasoline 4-cylinder
Working volume, cube. CM 1242.
Max. Power, hp / rpm 60/5000
Max. Moment, nm / rpm 102/2500
Transmission mechanical 5-speed
Drive automatically connected full
Max. Speed, km / h 145
Acceleration time 0-100 km, from 20.0
Fuel consumption (medium), l / 100 km 6.6
Tank volume, l 30
Igor Komarov
Photo by the author
 

A source: Magazine "Autopanoram"