Fiat Panda test drive since 2003 hatchback

Four -lapel

Oh, beautiful Brungild! Be my wife!

I conjure you, smile more thoroughly! Panda does not tolerate gloomy physiognomy. It is enough to approach this car in complete skepticism with a critical mood and panda will reveal itself from the negative side.
 



Ah, don't you believe in me, beautiful? Then here you are: hard plastic, a boring motor, a tight interior, tiny mirrors, the lack of a developed service system


But with a smile is much better: stylish appearance, low price, efficiency, maneuverability, originality in the end! Yes, we need such panda! But is Panda you need all -wheel drive?
 

In the 4x4 version, the crumb-codlik rose over the asphalt of the wheels here wider and podiammetti than that of the banal front-wheel drive panda. And the suspension itself is higher than more powerful shock absorbers and springs. Total 160 mm of road (or off -road) lumen. The back suspension completely gained longitudinal levers and, as a result, independence.
 
The all -wheel drive system developed by GKN is arranged in such a way that in the usual mode of Panda, only 98% of the torque falls on them with front wheels. However, it is worth slipping a little as the WISKOFT is immediately triggered, and the uniform four wheels begins. Viskyoft itself is located behind and is combined with the rear differential in one unit.
 

By the way, the first -generation panda, drawn a quarter of a century ago, Georgio Jujaro, also had a 4x4 version. However, then the Austrian company was adjusted to the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch, which we have known for producing a non-road option based on the Volkswagen Golf of the second generation (Country) and assembled gelends under its own brand. The then panda was not an example of the current one: for example, instead of an independent rear suspension, she had a hard bridge.


Panda had two paws raking, and all four! The rear -wheel drive put a centner with a decent tail to its own mass, plus fair loss for friction inside the transmission. And the engine is still the same modest sixty-sides: the Russians will not grow up to the magnificent Multijet diesel. And it turned out that along with kilograms, friction and resistance to rolling large wheels (and price!) Panda also acquired unnecessary seconds to the coveted hundreds. When accelerating, the panda roars like an adult bear, and accelerates, like a poorly awakened lady from under the stick. At the same time, it is useless to be actively tugging at the stick itself: how much the engine do not wind up and do not switch the programs, the sense of the miserable. But this is in the summer.
 

But in winter, a four -haus bear certainly will not fall into hibernation! On good rubber in the slippery city of Panda, it will wander the nose of any jaguar, not to mention all sorts of wild Mustangs there. A great occasion will be a reason to smile at the steamed uncle on a powerful rear-wheel drive sedan, strangled by tracshn control in the winter, the dynamics of acceleration is not expressed in horsepower, but in a confident grip of wheels with the road. An interesting fact: Panda 4x4 is delivered immediately on winter tires. Not studded, but in European winter with marking M+S.


But where to stick with your panda in the summer? Please be happy to be on the laundry. Powerful wheels and a patient suspension when driving through the primer with a margin provide confidence in the car: you can easily go through such a buudes where there is no Ara on a lifted penny, and it will slow down. This is where the speed is felt! Intocular business: Italians created a very successful car for our roads and our winter. Not too hot, but cheerful and carefree, cheerful. And, despite the sluggish temperament, in its own way of the groovy.
 

So I don’t know how you are, but personally I will smile in an impressive one. After all, Panda is a miracle how good! And winter with its winter freshness is already on the nose
 

20 YEARS AGO
Panda 4x4 was not drawn from scratch. She has a mother Fiat Panda 4x4 Trekking, which was born in 1983, three years after the debut of the very first of the pandas. The Austrians from the company Steyr-Daimler-Puch rolled up for the Italian car. Which, having eaten a dog on all kinds of all -wheel drive transmissions, decided to take the whole world as a bear. And, imagine, it turned out: 4x4 Trekking became a cult machine that did not have competitors. The car was equipped with a liter motor (to be precise, its volume was 999 milliliters), which developed half a hundred mares. One of the curious features of the car was a very short first gear, thanks to which the Olda 4x4 Olda 4x4 could not only move calmly on off-road, but also shot from traffic lights in the city, surprising with a sort of agility of all sorts of Gran-Turism.

 
Autography
Fiat Panda 4x4 1.2 Climbing
Winner of the competition car 2004
Fiat Panda 4x4 Trekking (1983)
Premiere Autumn 2003
Body 5-door hatchback
Engines 1.1-1.3 l (60-70 l.
Production Poland
Expected replacement 2010
 
The car is provided by the Center-Spraz company, the official importer of Fiat and Alfa Romeo.
During the test, the car is insured by Rosno.
 
Text: Kirill Brevdo
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
   
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 97/2005]