Fiat do small cars exceptionally well, brimming full of character, usability and those little touches that just single them out from other cars in the segment. In the last 32 years Fiat has sold 6.4 million Pandas and the people who buy them really seem to cherish them with most people choosing to name their cars!
So, this new Mk3 Panda needs to hit the mark, it’s quite remarkable that this really is only the third generation of the Panda but they haven’t tried to revolutionise what they had, simply refine. That’s not to say that the new Panda isn’t much different, it is. Underneath the softer lines technologies such as hot stamping steel have been used along with high resistance materials to create a more rigid body improving crash safety and vehicle handling. The Panda has also grown, 109mm longer, 66mm wider and 11mm taller, most of its growth has impacted the rear seating and loading area giving more leg room for passengers and a boot that will take up to 870 litres with the rear seats down.
You wont spot many corners on this car, you might hear the term ‘Squircle’ banded around, basically the outside and inside have all been softened. Outside this has given the car a much more friendly approachable look and inside the cabin feels spacious with a fun and useable dash. Another nice touch inside is the front seat folding flat so you can use it as a table, infact there are a few things that remind me of the Multipla in here which is one of my favourite cars. It also has 14 storage compartments dotted around the inside for you to stash snacks, ipods and anything else you might want to take with you on a trip.
So, that’s the basics out of the way, how does it drive? Well I drove the 85bhp 0.9 TwinAir with Start&Stop. It’s the first time I have driven this new power plant and my very first impression was I though the poor old panda had dropped a cylinder, well it has i guess! Once you get used to the muffled burble you think nothing more of it. On the road the Panda picks up pace quickly and the best way to drive the car is like a diesel with short shifts. Quoted figures give a combined mpg of 67.3, on my drive over 60 miles I returned 40.8mpg. I overheard chats around the lunch table of 50mpg being hit. For me I enjoy using the power and rarely get close to quoted figures in cars. In the Pandas defence, I didn’t try the car in ECO mode and the route we were given was such a hoot it seemed a shame to drive too sensibly. In ECO mode bhp drops from 85 to 78 and most notably that lovely torque drops from 145 to 100.
The handling as always is great, the rigid chassis gives confidence when turning into a corner and the plucky TwinAir happily slingshots you out the otherside with its torque. In recent years Fiats steering has been a bit too light for my personal liking especially in city mode. Steering feel certainly felt better than other recent models in the new Panda and over the 120 mile drive there was never once a feeling of being disconnected to the road.
The new Panda launches with three spec options and three engine options. Pop, Easy and Lounge, Lounge being the highest spec. The engine choices are the 0.9 TwinAir, 1.2 Fire and 1.3 Multijet diesel. Later in the year a non turbo TwinAir will join the range.
Also coming along will be a 4WD version and there are event rumors of a replacement for the popular 100HP, although this probably wont be under the Abarth brand. Expect it to use a breathed upon TwinAir lump putting out just over 100bhp.
The Panda slots into a more focused market than the 500, with lots of fun and practical touches meaning a young couple can grow into a family without needing a new car.
Book prices range from £8900 – £12,250.
Click here for the Fiat website
Great stuff, looks like they’ve made the most of the extra space judging by the interior shots. I can see why James May is such a fan! Look forward to the 100hp replacement, maybe it’ll make 101hp?
The second generation panda (Mk.2)is the best car ever!
By the way, Mine is called ‘Guiddo’!