Fiat Panda

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Fiat Panda

Manufacturer	Fiat
Production	1980-present
Class	City car

The Fiat Panda is a city car from the Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat. The first Fiat Panda was made from 1980 to 2003 with only few changes, and is now sometimes referred to as the "old Panda". The second model, launched in 2003, is sometimes referred to "new Panda" or "Nuova Panda" (in Italian), and was the European Car of the Year in 2004.

1 First generation (1980-2003)
2 Second generation (2003-present)
3 New Fiat 500
4 Top Gear appearances
5 External links

[edit] First generation (1980-2003)

First generation

Production	1980-2003 1981-1992 (UK)
Body style	3-door hatchback
Engine	652 cc I2
Length	3340 mm
Designer	Giorgetto Giugiaro

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Panda was intended as a modern day interpretation of the Citroën 2CV or Renault 4, being a basic, simple, no-frills utility vehicle that was easy to use and maintain. Introduced in 1980, the Panda was noted for its box-like styling, which would be developed two years later in the design of the supermini Uno. Mechanically, it borrowed heavily from the Fiat parts bin, using engines and transmissions from the Fiat 127 and in certain territories, the air-cooled 652 cc two-cylinder powerplant from the Fiat 126 was also used. The theme of simplicity was also evident in the rear suspension, which used a dead axle suspended on leaf springs.

There were many features which contributed to the Panda's "utility car" role, for example, the rear seat could be folded flat to make a bed, or folded up to act as a bottle carrier, or removed altogether to increase the load space. The front seats had removable covers so that they could be washed, the fabric covered dashboard could also be removed, and the Panda could be specified with a full-length roll back canvas roof.

[edit] Four-wheel drive and further development

In 1983, a four-wheel drive system was developed, and this proved popular in rural Italy, where roads are often very poor. The improved "Panda Super", which featured a full mesh front grille with the new Fiat corporate "five bars" insignia was launched the same year.

In 1986 major mechanical changes to the Panda were made, with the introduction of new FIRE engines from the Uno, and a new coil sprung rear axle to address criticisms that the Panda's ride quality was harsh and unforgiving. Visually identifiable by the lack of front "quarterlight" windows, this version was known as the Mark II, although this designation did not feature on the badging.

By 1991, the 900 cc engine was replaced by a new 1.1-litre engine. This variant would last until 2003 on sale in Europe.

[edit] Final years

The car's popularity remained strong throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, despite build quality that was seen as poor quality by many buyers. Early cars also suffered from severe bodywork corrosion and rust, as with many contemporary Fiat vehicles of the era.

From 1996 onwards, the Panda began to be phased out across Europe, due to tightening safety legislation. The car remained in production in Italy until May 2003. About a year later, the new Panda was launched, with total production standing at over 4.5 million units over a 20 year period.

[edit] SEAT Panda/Marbella

Main article: SEAT Marbella

SEAT Marbella

Spanish automaker SEAT also produced a version of the Panda.

Up to 1983, SEAT lacked their own designs and only made rebadged versions of Fiat cars through a licence agreement between the two firms. Thus, there existed a Spanish version of the Panda called the SEAT Panda, produced from 1981 to 1986.

After Fiat sold their share in SEAT in 1983 and the licence agreement ended, the whole Fiat-based lineup of SEAT cars were quickly given the least possible changes so that Fiat could not take legal action against [SEAT on the basis of patent infringement. The SEAT Panda had its front and rear fascias redesigned and was marketed as the SEAT Marbella from 1987 to 1998.

It did not receive the major mechanical upgrades of the 1986 Fiat Panda Mark II, instead continuing with the old pushrod Fiat-based engines from the Fiat Panda Mark I.

[edit] Second generation (2003-present)

Second generation

Production	2003-present
Engine	1.1 L FIRE I4 1.2 L FIRE I4 1.3 L JTD diesel I4 1.4 L FIRE I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 5-speed automatic
Length	3538 mm (139.3 in)
Width	1578 mm (62.1 in)
Height	1578 mm (62.1 in)
Curb weight	840 kg (1.1 L engine) 860 kg (1.2 L engine) 935 kg (1.3 L engine) 975 kg (1.4 L engine)

A red Fiat Panda seen from rear 3/4

The new Panda, codenamed Model 169 in its development phase, was originally intended to be called "Gingo". However, this name was considered to be too similar to the Renault Twingo, so Fiat decided to continue with the Panda name. Successor to the Seicento, the new model also effectively replaced the old Panda after 23 years of production, although the Seicento itself proved still popular and remained in production. Like the Fiat Seicento, the Panda is manufactured only in Tychy, Poland by Fiat Auto Poland. A smaller, 3-door Fiat will be added to the range in 2007, the new 500.

The high-bodied Panda takes clear styling cues from mini MPVs and mini SUVs, with its taillights in particular reminiscent of much larger cars from the likes of Volvo. The Panda won the European Car of the Year award in 2004.

The Panda includes an option for split rear seats, which makes the Panda a four-seater. Since September 2005, all Pandas are equipped with stability control, ABS, EBD and at least two front airbags. The gear-lever is located high on the central dashboard, which is designed to make changing gears more comfortable than with a conventional floor-mounted gearshift.

The financially troubled Fiat needed the new Panda to be a success, and indeed it was, selling half a million units by October 2005. It sells particularly well in Italy (over half of the cars produced are sold in Italy), being seen as closer to a spiritual successor to the Fiat 500 than a replacement for either the Seicento or the old Panda. The 500,000th new Panda was built on October 5, 2005, a light blue Panda Emotions with the 1.3-litre diesel engine.

[edit] Official usage

The Panda is produced for police departments (the Polish police have bought some blue and white Panda Actual models), military agencies (the Italian Army uses several dark green Panda Climbing models), and forest services (the Italian forest service has dark green Panda Climbing models).

[edit] 2005 improvements

In September 2005 several changes were made to the Panda, including standard fitment of ABS and a front passenger's airbag.

[edit] Editions

The basic Actual has black bumpers, lacks electric windows and a full-size spare wheel. The Actual was introduced in January 2004.

The Active, introduced in May 2003, features black self coloured bumpers but boasts front electric windows, central door locking, Radio / Cassette player, driver's airbag, power steering. Manual climate control is available as an option. Since September 2005, ABS and the front passenger's airbag have been made standard. This model has the 1100 cc "FIRE" engine and a five speed gearbox.

The Active Plus edition is slightly better equipped than the Active, with a cassette/CD player as standard. Production of the Active Plus stopped in December 2003.

The Dynamic edition features ABS, dual airbags, roof bars, power steering and a cassette player as standard. A CD/MP3 player, CD changer, alloy wheels, manual or automated climate control, glass sunroof and a semi-automatic transmission are available as options. Since September 2005, four airbags have been standard in some countries, with an option for two additional side curtain airbags.

The Emotion (Eleganza) edition is the best-equipped trim level. This particular trim level features significant enhancements over the Dynamic, with a standard CD player, alloy wheels with low profile tyres and automated climate control. In some countries such as the UK, the Emotion is sold as the "Eleganza".

The 100hp edition is a new sporting addition to the Panda family, it uses the 1.4-litre 16-valve FIRE engine from the Fiat Punto tuned to develop 100 bhp through a six-speed manual transmission. It differs from other Panda by using all disc brakes, now fully ventilated at the front. The Panda 100hp features totally a new suspension with modified springs, dampers, bushes and compliance. The Panda 100 hp is significantly faster than other models, with 0-100 km/h acceleration in 9.5 s, and a maximum speed of 115 mph, while still offering economical fuel consumption at 43.4 mpg in the EU combined cycle and 154 g/km of CO2 emissions.

The 4x4 Climbing edition, introduced in December 2004, has a higher ride height and larger wheels and tyres than other editions. The four-wheel drive system also makes this edition slower than others. Features are similar to those found in the Dynamic. The Climbing, however, lacks a differential lock and transmission with reductor. The Climbing edition can be distinguished by a slightly higher suspension, additional black plastic overlays on the bumpers and a "Climbing" badge just below the "Panda" badge on the left side of the rear licence plate.

The 4x4 Cross edition, similar to the Climbing, features differently shaped front and rear lights and additional side cladding. Unlike the Climbing, the Cross does have a differential lock. The Cross edition became available in January 2006 in Italy, and will be available in September 2006 in Poland, over 9 months after its introduction in December 2005.

The Actual and Active are also bases for the Actual Van and Active Van, which can be used as small vans (they also have an additional safety net behind the front seats and removable rear seats). These versions can be identified by small "Van" label on the back door.

During the time, many limited editions of Panda (Active and Dynamic editions only) were produced. Each of them had additional interior fittings, differentiating them from the base model.

[edit] Engines

The smallest engine, the 1.1 L petrol SOHC FIRE engine, which is rated at 54 bhp and found in the Fiat Seicento, has been criticised for being underpowered for the Panda, which weighs over 850 kg, and the acceleration in particular was considered to be very slow. However, the engine reportedly gains flexibility and power with use.

The 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engine is rated at 75 bhp and 100 ft•lbf of torque; it is the most economical of all available engines. However, this engine is detuned from the Punto (where it develops 120 ft•lbf of torque) due to the Panda's weaker transmission. Pandas with diesel engines can be easily distinguished by a "MultiJet" badge on the right side of the rear licence plate.

Introduced into the range in 2006 was the 1368 cc FIRE engine which had previously seen service in the Mk2a Punto Sporting (contrary to some press reports, it is not an adapted version of the 1.4 16v Starjet engine used in the Grande Punto). This FIRE engine has four cylinders in-line with sixteen valves actuated by belt driven double overhead camshafts. The engine is undersquare with bore and stroke of 72 mm and 84 mm respectively, running at a compression ratio of 10.8:1. Ignition is by Fiat's Jet Thrust Stochiometric system with sequential multi-point fuel injection.

[edit] Top speeds

150 km/h (93 mph) with 1.1 L petrol engine
155 km/h (96 mph) with 1.2 L petrol engine
160 km/h (99 mph) with 1.3 L diesel engine
184 km/h (115 mph) with 1.4 L petrol engine

[edit] New Fiat 500

The Panda platform will form a base for a retro reincarnation of the Fiat 500 developed in collaboration with Ford. The new 500 is scheduled to arrive in July, 2007. 50 years after the launch of the original Fiat 500, on July 4th, 1957.

[edit] Top Gear appearances

The Nuova Panda has appeared in the BBC programme Top Gear:

Panda Dynamic with the 1.2 L engine (aired on November 23, 2003), tested by James May
Panda Climbing with 1.3 L engine (aired on July 10 2005), tested by Jeremy Clarkson.
The latter managed to get onto The Cool Wall.
Jeremy Clarkson converted a mk1 Panda into a 46 ft long limousine, which included a trolley-type passenger entry-exit system, as well as two rear halves of similar Pandas. However, the car's maneuverability was atrocious, and it was not street legal, a problem solved by shortening it 7 ft. Handling remained poor, and the car eventually split in half, arriving at its destination minus its rear end.
Presenter James May has admitted to just taking delivery of a Nuova Panda.