The history of the second generation Panda began at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. Then the four-seater Gingo prototype was presented to the public, almost ready to get on the conveyor. However, the concern Renault opposed this name. It, according to the French, is too consonant with the name of their Twingo model. So the car went into the series under a different name, long known to all Europeans - Panda, although the car has nothing in common with its predecessor. The car of the first generation, the production of which began in 1980 and, with minor changes, lasted on the assembly line until 2003.
Panda II has become more modern, more spacious, better equipped, but most importantly, it has a modification with permanent all-wheel drive. A unique case in class A! Apparently, under the impression of such a set of important consumer qualities, "packed" in a stylish compact case, European automotive journalists awarded Panda the title "Car of the Year - 2004".
Externally, the car is peculiar: a sharp rise in the windshield, a high body with an abundance of longitudinal ribs that are now fashionable, chopped off “stern”, massive, almost square headlights, a large glass area and original windows in the rear pillar. Panda is compact, but it gives the impression of a kind of microvan - mainly because of the high roof. The same height adds a share of comfort inside: even if it is cramped in the knees, if you climbed back, there is plenty of space above your head.
Fiat Panda is the most suitable vehicle for city traffic. It's small and compact, which is great for parking, is fast and agile, and doesn't feel compromised at all in overall driving dynamics. And most importantly - this car is economical: it is designed to reduce fuel consumption.
Inside, everything is made of budget materials. But the Italians managed to beat this budget due to a very original performance. The location of the gear lever on the console allows the driver to feel comfortable when driving. The seat and steering wheel can be adjusted to your desired position. But there is no question of any servos, even optional ones. This would significantly increase the price, while the first and indisputable advantage of Panda is its relatively low cost. Seat adjustments are standard - changing the tilt of the backrest and longitudinal movement. A height-adjustable headrest and seat cushion can be ordered at an additional cost. The backs of the front seats, unlike the pillows, have a clear lateral support, but the rear sofa lacks relief. Despite the rather limited range of longitudinal movement and the fact that the steering column can only move vertically, a person of any size can be accommodated in the driver's seat. Thanks to the high seating position (not quite typical for such cars), the road is in full view.
With its size Panda, of course, is designed for four. But as an option, dealers also offer a five-seater option - for a fee, a central headrest and an additional seat belt will be installed on the rear sofa.
Trunk Panda can not be called capacious. It is rather intended for transporting a couple of bulky packages from the supermarket - no more. To transport larger loads, you will have to fold the back of the rear sofa, and since it only folds in its entirety, more than two people in this case will not be taken away by a car. By the way, in the list of additional equipment there are two options for rear seats with a split back, one of which provides for longitudinal adjustment, but you will have to pay a lot for this option.
There are only three engines in the Panda powertrain range. The simplest of them is the basic 1.1-liter “eight-valve”, which develops 54 hp. In addition to it, a more powerful 60-horsepower 1.2-liter engine can be installed on the car. Europe is now experiencing a diesel boom, so the Italians could not do without a small 1.3-liter diesel power unit Multijet with a capacity of 70 “horses”, developing 145 Nm of torque already at 1500 rpm. Panda with this 16-valve turbodiesel has every chance of becoming very popular. Firstly, due to efficiency - 5.4 liters per 100 km in the city and only 3.7 liters on the highway. And secondly, thanks to the extended service intervals - oil and filter changes every 30,000 km, and the engine resource is 250,000 km.
Unfortunately, Fiat is not supplied to our country with such a power unit and, most likely, will not be supplied. The only Panda variant to date, which can be officially purchased in the capital's car dealerships, is a car with a 1.2-liter engine aggregated with a 5-speed "mechanics" (in Europe it can also be aggregated with a DualogiC sequential automatic transmission).
The Panda II is equipped with a dual-drive electric power steering - in the usual version, the steering wheel turns with just one finger. But after activating the "City" mode (by a button on the center console), the steering wheel becomes completely weightless. Naturally, in this case, there can be no feedback speech, so “City” is recommended to be used only in the parking lot.
The suspension has a design that has been proven over the years: the front is MacPherson strut, and the rear is semi-independent with a torsion beam. On a flat surface, the car obediently holds the road, copes well with most of the bumps.
The minimum equipment offers: front power windows, central locking, immobilizer, branded dual-mode Dualdrive electric power steering, driver airbag, and ABS with EBD. Air conditioning, side and window airbags, a front passenger airbag, parking sensors and even an ESP stabilization system can be ordered additionally. On more "advanced" cars can be installed: a decent audio system with a subwoofer, a Skydome sliding roof or an air conditioning system with an air filtration system.
There is also an all-wheel drive version of the Panda. It differs from the banal front-wheel drive version with larger wheels in width and diameter. The suspension has become higher - more powerful shock absorbers and springs. Ground clearance - 160 mm. The rear suspension has completely acquired trailing arms and, as a result, independence.
The all-wheel drive system developed by GKN is designed in such a way that in normal mode 98% of the torque is supplied to the front wheels. However, as soon as the load on the front wheels changes, the viscous coupling is activated and the four-wheel drive is turned on. The viscous coupling itself is located at the rear and is combined with the rear differential into one unit.
Rear-wheel drive threw a hundredweight with a decent tail to the car's own weight, plus hefty friction losses inside the transmission. And the engine is offered the same as for the front-wheel drive version. It turned out that, along with kilograms, the car also acquired unnecessary seconds to the coveted "hundreds". But on a winter and country road, Panda 4x4 is in its element. Fun fact: The Panda 4x4 comes with winter tyres. Not studded, but European-style winter - marked M + S.
By the way, the first generation Panda, created a quarter of a century ago by Giorgio Giugiaro, also had a 4x4 version. The Fiat Panda 4x4 Trekking was born in 1983, three years after the debut of the very first Panda. All-wheel drive transmission was introduced by the Australian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch. The car was equipped with a liter engine (to be precise, its volume was 999 milliliters), which developed 50 hp. The first generation Panda 4x4 Trekking was much simpler than the current one. For example, instead of an independent rear suspension, she had a rigid axle. One of the curious features of the car was a very short first gear, thanks to which the Panda 4x4 not only could easily move off-road, but also fired from traffic lights in the city.
The Italians managed to create a great car. Not too hot, but cheerful, carefree and cheerful. Stylish appearance, low price, efficiency, maneuverability, originality - the key to the success of the little Panda.
Fiat Panda - the legendary three- or five-door four-seater Class A hatchback, produced by Fiat since 1980. Since 2011, the third generation of the car has been produced, and according to tradition, since 2013 it is planned to release an all-wheel drive version of the Panda, which will replace the off-road version of the second generation.
The third generation Fiat Panda 4X4 was shown at the Paris Salon in October 2012. And now information has appeared that allows us to draw certain conclusions about the exterior, interior and technical characteristics of the new small SUV produced in Europe.
The exterior of the "all-wheel drive Panda" of the third generation, in general terms, is practically no different from the version of a conventional hatchback - all the same body type, which makes it possible to classify the model rather than as a two-volume hatchback, but as a three-volume minivan. Universalism and blurring of lines between classes can be traced in the design of the "Italian bear cub". The main difference is that to protect the body of the new all-terrain vehicle, when it is operated in difficult road conditions, the designers of Centro Stile Fiat have developed a “body kit” around the entire perimeter of the car.
In addition to the traditional colors that the 4x2 version has, the off-road "Italian bear cub" will also have two unique body colors. The first is Toscana Green (metallic green). A car with this coloring looks like a Soviet army UAZ 469 (“Bobik”) and is clearly designed for men. The second color is Sicilia Orange (pastel orange). This color for women is bright, groovy and cheerful, attracting attention. We also note the presence of aluminum inserts that complement the overall picture.
The interior of the third generation Panda 4X4 is also practically the same as the 2WD version. We only note the new green color in the interior decoration (for example, a green frame around the front panel), the presence of a large compartment for storing various small items. The fabric of the seats is also different, which will be made in three versions (green, beige and orange). When finishing doors, inserts made of leather are used.
Specifications. The main difference between this 4X4 modification and its predecessors and the 4x2 version is the presence of the Torque on demand system (all-wheel drive on demand). This is the first time a non-permanent all-wheel drive system has been used (the Panda 2 4X4 Climbing used a plug-in all-wheel drive). The Torque on demand system is based on traction distribution and electronically simulated differential lock, has two differentials and an electronic clutch control. In other words, the electronic control unit analyzes the vehicle's signals and automatically distributes the tractive effort equally to the front and rear axles, or proportionally, depending on the road grip parameters.
The 3rd generation SUV will be equipped with a six-speed manual transmission with a reduction gear.
For Fiat Panda 3 4x4, it is supposed to use two types of engine, which are also installed on the 4x2 version:
- The first engine is the well-proven gasoline two-cylinder U-shaped TwinAir Turbo, with a volume of 0.9 liters and a power of 85 “horses”. A feature of this engine is the simultaneous movement of the pistons in one direction. Average fuel consumption is 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers.
- The second engine is a 1.3 MultiJet II diesel engine with a volume of 1.3 liters and a power of 75 "horses". This engine has been used in Fiat vehicles since the end of 2009, has a fixed turbine geometry, a diesel particulate filter, which is located in close proximity to the power plant. 1.3 MultiJet II fully complies with Euro 5 standards.
Both engines are equipped with a Start/Stop system that reduces engine speed when braking and driving at low speeds, shifting the transmission to neutral.
The new Fiat Panda 4X4 will be equipped as standard with the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) active safety system in conjunction with the ELD (Electronic Locking Differential) electronic differential lock system. Thanks to this, driving in difficult road conditions (snow, ice, mud, etc.) will be more comfortable and manageable. If traction is lost, the ELD system distributes traction to the wheels with the best traction. Moreover, the system works both in automatic mode and in manual mode, the button is located directly behind the gear lever. Note also that the ELD system operates at speeds below 50 km/h.
It is supposed to install alloy fifteen-inch wheels on the car, the type of tires is 175/65 R15 M + S.
Fiat Panda 3 in the 4x4 version is slightly higher than the 4x2 version and has the following parameters:
- length - 3680 mm;
- width - 1670 mm;
- height - 1600 mm;
- wheelbase - 2300 mm;
- the distance between the front wheels (front track) -1410 mm;
- the distance between the rear wheels (rear track) - 1400 mm.
The suspension here performs two main functions. The first function is to provide comfortable movement, as in the 2WD version, the second function is to provide increased cross-country ability in complete off-road conditions. Therefore, the front suspension is a classic MacPherson independent, the rear suspension is a torsion beam, which has a higher specification than the rear torsion beam semi-independent suspension in the previous generation.
Of the additional equipment for the Panda 4x4, we note the presence of: climate control, an electric rear-view mirror, a central lock with remote control and head restraints in the rear seat.
There is no specific information about the price of the new one and the trim levels of the novelty.
The third generation of the compact Fiat Panda appeared before the world community in 2011, and just a year later, a modification with the 4x4 prefix saw the light. She received a similar engine range, a slightly retouched interior and a more interesting design. Thanks to the increased ground clearance, large uniquely designed alloy wheels and high profile tires, the model looks more solid than the usual front-wheel drive version. Moreover, the manufacturer has slightly expanded the palette of colors for the body. From now on, the car can additionally be painted in soft orange or dark green metallic. In the latest version, the compact machine, thanks to the embossed stampings, looks like a real jeep. It should be noted stylish crossover body kit on bumpers, doors and sills. It protects the paintwork in the most vulnerable places and gives the new off-road charm.
Dimensions
Despite the external surroundings, the Fiat Panda 4x4 is a class A mini hatchback. Its overall dimensions are: length 3686 mm, width 1672 mm, height 1605 mm, and the wheelbase is 2300 mm. As for ground clearance, it has been increased by 20mm to a not-so-impressive 140mm. This clearance is typical of most compact city cars. Thanks to the low center of gravity, they boast good maneuverability, so necessary on winding streets. As for the suspension itself, it is nothing special. There are independent McPherson struts with anti-roll bar at the front, and a semi-independent beam at the rear.
Despite the small size, the trunk volume is quite tolerable. With the backrests of the second row of seats raised, about 225 liters of free space remain behind.
Specifications
The novelty will be equipped with two motors inherited from the standard version, exclusively mechanical variable gearboxes and a plug-in all-wheel drive system. The latter is able to transfer part of the torque to the rear axle, but only at speeds less than 50 kilometers per hour.
The base engine is an in-line turbocharged two-cylinder gasoline unit with 875 cubic centimeters. Despite the tiny volume, the direct-fuel system and advanced turbocharger allowed engineers to squeeze out 85 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 145 Nm of torque, starting as early as 1900 crankshaft revolutions per minute. Such versions gain a hundred kilometers per hour in 12.1 seconds, accelerate to a maximum of 166 km / h and consume about 4.9 liters of gasoline per hundred in a combined driving cycle.
An alternative unit is a 1.2-liter in-line turbodiesel. It produces 75 horses at 4000 rpm and 190 Nm of torque at 1500 rpm. Heavy-fuel models accelerate to 100 km/h in 14.5 seconds, gain a maximum of 159 km/h and consume 4.7 liters of diesel per hundred kilometers in the same mode.
Outcome
Panda 4x4 is a new look at a model with a long history. She has an unusual and memorable design, in perfect harmony with the class and technical filling of the model. Such a car is the best way to emphasize the character and personality of its owner. Salon is a realm of high-quality finishing materials, well-thought-out ergonomics and practicality. Even heavy traffic or a country trip should not bring unnecessary inconvenience to the driver. The manufacturer is well aware that a modern car, first of all, should give driving pleasure. That is why the hatchback is equipped with compact and economical power units, which are an alloy of advanced technologies and many years of experience of engineers. Fiat Panda 4x4 is a compact and economical vehicle with high cross-country ability.
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Fiat Panda Cross. Production: Italy. In Russia, maybe it will, but most likely not. Price? Better read to the end...
No, I still can't resist. And I will not torment the reader with my writing exercises in anticipation of the denouement. I will say right away and directly: do you see this, without any doubt, an attractive car that can accommodate four, and in the case of a successful sum of anthropometric data and five, and with the comfort of a box that accepts a pair of shoes? Good, isn't it? Do you know how much it costs? Devya… No, wait a little more.
He can't be attracted. To be honest, I immediately liked him. Especially when I was offered to drive it along the same off-road track of the Fiat test site in Balocco, where a few months ago I took all my questions about the latest generation Jeep Cherokee. I already knew perfectly well what this lovely chicken-colored car was waiting for, and this greatly added respect to him.
EASIER AND HARDER
All-wheel drive "Panda" is not new for thirty years. The 4 × 4 version was in all three generations of the model. And they have always been something more than just the desire of the manufacturer to simply increase profits through a magic formula. They really knew how to deal with off-road. And the latest model is no exception. Four-wheel drive on the third generation of the Panda was offered a year and a half ago. Simultaneously simplifying and complicating the car compared to the previous all-wheel drive version. The viscous coupling as a way of transmitting torque to the rear wheels has given way to more advanced electro-hydraulics, which allows you to quickly and more accurately respond to changes in the traffic situation. But the rear suspension has become simpler - instead of an independent scheme on longitudinal oblique levers, a conventional, albeit reinforced, torsion beam is now used.
In this case, the differential is rigidly fixed to the body and is connected to the wheels by swinging axle shafts.
Why go for simplification? It was necessary to sacrifice something for the sake of reducing mass and reducing costs. After all, the current Panda, due to state pressure on Fiat (in fact, this is a ban on mass production abroad), is produced in Italy, unlike its predecessor, which was supplied from the Polish branch. And the native assembly, coupled with the transition to a new generation, is expensive: the price of the base model jumped by 27%!
Even the usual "Panda 4 × 4" has a very decent off-road potential for its size. Actually, the modesty of the dimensions just turns into an advantage: the body overhangs are minimal, the curb weight is about 1000 kg. Ground clearance is increased to 152 mm, shock absorber mounts and MacPherson strut mounts are reinforced, the rear wheel drive clutch can be blocked by pressing a button. True, the car has no appearance: a pair of black overlays barely distinguish it from other Pandas. This is quite suitable for Willan, but hardly for a city slicker.
Here, for those who like to show off, they made a version of "Cross". It's brighter, more expensive... and even better suited for off-road use! "Cross" is not just a name and additional tinsel made of plastic lining, shiny roof rails and LED running lights. Here, the ground clearance increased by another 9 mm and reached 161 mm (this is for the gasoline version, for the diesel version it is 3 mm less). Other additions include all-season tires that are 10mm wider and more confident on the ground, and a brand new rotating controller (with the pompous name "terrane control") for managing all-wheel drive modes. Well, just like on off-road vehicles at the price ... mmm ... let's just say, twice the size. True, this controller is more for the entourage here. Its set of functions is no wider than that of other crossovers: the choice between automatic torque distribution between the axles (by default, 95% of traction goes forward) and a hard-locked clutch. And in the extreme right position of the controller, the hill descent assistance system is turned on. To go down, we will go down one way or another, but how will we climb up? After all, the torque of a two-cylinder supercharged engine with a working volume of 875 cubic meters. cm from the Twinair family, favored by international awards, is only 145 N m - at the coffee grinder, and then, probably, more ...
DOUBLE FORCING
This engine, small even for a modern motorcycle, can be embarrassing with its unusual rattle at medium speeds and above. In general, he begins to live only from 3000 rpm, but for a tiny "Panda" his capabilities are enough. Moreover, for the “Cross” the motor was even boosted a little, increasing the power by 5 hp. and bringing it eventually up to 90 forces. Just never press the "Eco" button - you will immediately feel the true volume of the motor.
And I won’t say that against the background of a gasoline engine, another version of the engine - a completely ordinary four-cylinder turbodiesel with a working volume of 1.3 liters and a power of 80 forces - is very different. It pulls only slightly better, and the noise and vibrations from it are about the same - despite the reinforced insulation of the engine shield in the diesel version. And even the most important argument does not look so weighty - a diesel engine is more economical than a gasoline engine by an average of only 0.2 liters per 100 km.
On a normal road, the gasoline Panda should be vigorously adjusted from time to time by shifting gears. But I wouldn't say it's that often. In any case, it is pleasant to do this - not every car, even a class higher, can boast such a carefully adjusted switching mechanism. Short strokes, clear fixation, no problems. There are six steps in the box, and the first gear, very short, is specially selected for off-road attacks (this technique is familiar to us from the Renault Duster). It is she who helps to climb such slopes, from which at first you want to run to hell.
I shift the 4WD transmission into off-road mode (the clutch is now locked and distributes torque forward and backward equally, but opens at speeds over 50 km / h) and, with a slight spur to the engine, climb the slope with surprising ease. And then, turning the transmission knob to the extreme position, I turn on the descent assistance system - and the “bear cub”, braking the wheels, descends at a speed of about 5 km / h. This is not surprising, all this has been done hundreds of times on a wide variety of off-road vehicles and crossovers.
SERIOUS MOOD
It seems to be a crossover as a crossover, but this is what surprises. Getting acquainted with this car for the first time, you do not expect that, despite its frivolous appearance, it will turn out to be quite a serious car. The feeling is about the same as if you buy a nice little toy alarm clock in the store, and suddenly it turns out to be waterproof, with a built-in GPS receiver and a cell phone jammer.
Due to the high landing, the Panda Cross rolls in corners, like a wardrobe carried by movers up the stairs, but it still steers clearly and transparently. You don’t even think about the fact that the effort on the steering wheel could be a little more, and the tires better. Still, all-weather is far from the best option. Too soon they start to slip. But on a road strewn with cobblestones, I never once doubted the energy intensity of the suspension. There was not even a hint of a breakdown. At the same time, the level of driving comfort is quite decent, and the stabilization system practically did not interfere with the control process, allowing you to slide moderately on gravel - the all-wheel drive transmission dampened the drift well, modifying it with a torque feed back. Indeed, only under normal conditions, 95% of the thrust goes forward - and if necessary, almost the same amount can be supplied to the rear wheels.
At the international show in Geneva, held in the spring of 2003, the Italian company Fiat organized an official demonstration of the second-generation Panda subcompact hatchback, which was called "Gingo" at the development stage. Over the history of its existence, the car has been repeatedly modernized: in September 2005, the list of equipment was expanded, in March 2007 the interior was updated, and in 2009 the technical component was finalized and new options were added. On the assembly line, the five-door lasted until the end of 2012, after which it was replaced by a new model.
You can’t find anything extraordinary in the appearance of the second generation Fiat Panda, but the car is definitely catchy with its appearance. For all its compactness from the outside, the hatchback looks like a small minivan with high roof contours and a clearly defined hood, the body of which flaunts strict rectangular headlights, vertically elongated lights and neatly arranged bumpers.
Fiat "Panda" 2nd is the "player" A-class according to the European classification and has 3538 mm in length, 1540 mm in height and 1589 mm in width. The wheelbase of the Italian subcompact is 2299 mm, and the ground clearance is 120 mm.
Inside the second “release” Fiat Panda, a simple but cozy atmosphere reigns, but the overall impression is spoiled by the cheapness of the finish. The interior of the five-door looks simple, but not primitive: a three-spoke steering wheel, a laconic instrument cluster and a symmetrical center console, on which the radio, ventilation deflectors and the original climate control “remote” are “registered”.
The second-generation Panda's interior is able to accommodate four adult passengers, who are provided with a sufficient supply of free space in both rows of seats. That's just the front seats and the rear sofa have an amorphous profile and do not have a high level of comfort.
The trunk of the Fiat Panda is small - only 206 liters in standard form. The "gallery" is transformed into two identical parts and brings the useful volume to 860 liters, but it does not form a flat surface.
Specifications. On the "Panda" of the second generation, you can find three engines, working in combination with a 5-speed "mechanics" or "robot" and a front-wheel drive transmission or all-wheel drive with a multi-plate clutch in the rear axle.
- The gasoline palette on the city car is represented by atmospheric "fours" with a volume of 1.1 and 1.2 liters with an in-line structure, 8-valve timing and distributed fuel injection, developing 54-60 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 88-102 Nm of torque at 2500 rpm /minute.
- There is only one diesel available for the hatchback - a four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1.2-liter turbocharged unit with a common rail system, producing 70 “stallions” at 4000 rpm and 145 Nm of ultimate thrust at 1500 rpm.
The Italian small car is not distinguished by “speed”: it reaches a maximum of 145-160 km / h, accelerating to the first “hundred” after 13-20 seconds. Gasoline versions of the car consume 5.4-6.6 liters of fuel in mixed mode, and diesel versions - 4.3-5.4 liters.
The second "release" Fiat Panda is built on the front-wheel drive platform "Fiat Mini" with a transversely oriented power plant in the front. The machine is equipped with independent MacPherson strut suspension at the front and semi-independent torsion beam architecture at the rear.
The city car uses a rack-and-pinion steering center with electric power steering. The five-door has to its credit disc front and drum rear brakes (on all-wheel drive versions - fully disc), supplemented by ABS.
Complete set and prices. In the secondary market of Russia, the "second" Fiat Panda in 2016 is offered at a price of 150,000 to 300,000 rubles - depending on the modification, year of "birth" and technical condition.
In all trim levels, the car boasts the presence of: one airbag, fabric trim, power steering, immobilizer, standard audio preparation and some other options.
