Fiat Nova Panda 1.2 emotions
Test Drive

Fiat Nova Panda 1.2 emotions

I confess that I have never seen a living panda, which for many decades was endangered as an animal species. That's why my friends and I were laughing, so when we say panda, we immediately think of the legendary Italian city car that's been on the market for 21 years, not a black and white bear. Are we the only ones who are so fanatical about cars that they are simply not seen or are simply influenced by the modern environment (read in the media), when, due to TV advertisements, some children think that all cows are purple and wear the Milka inscription? side? Who would have known ...

Fiat has always been the leader among city cars, if we think only of the legendary Topolino, Cinquecento, 126, Seicent and, last but not least, the Panda, which is not surprising given how crowded Italian cities are and how grateful the car market in the Apennine Peninsula is. for kids Fiat. Thus, their experience is only an excellent starting point for an attack on European and global markets, although in recent years Fiat's financial position has not been too rosy.

But things are getting better, their leaders are convinced, and we look at them with optimism. No, our serenity does not come from the fact that one of the biggest car giants cannot fail, but because we tested New Panda. And I can easily argue that this is one of the best, if not the best Fiat cars in the last few years.

From my own experience, in a positive sense, I would only point to the Multiplo, since it surprised me very much with its spaciousness, ease of use and handling, but it was buried in a design feature, if not unattractive. However, with the Nova Panda, the Italians did not make a similar mistake!

There are no design wonders in Nova Panda that cannot be expected from a city car. Since the outer dimensions must remain as modest as possible, the spaciousness of the cabin can only be achieved by raising the roof. So it's no surprise that more and more city cars look like scaled-down limousine vans with sharper edges and flatter surfaces. Rounded bodies may be more attractive, but at the same time, they steal much-needed head and luggage space. This is why the Nova Panda has a shortened rear end, an almost flat roof and, as a result, a huge amount of space inside. But that's not all…

Rare cars that make a good impression for the first time. In other words, when you get behind the wheel, you immediately feel at home, and the car immediately touches your heart. This is the very best trait that is so successfully used in car dealerships when you see men in their fifties sitting in disassembled models and turning the steering wheel, as if children were playing the driver. It's funny for an independent observer of what is happening, but love at first sight manifests itself quickly and without warning. And Amora's arrow at Nova Panda also hit the majority in our editorial.

Is it because of the large center console that protrudes from the center ledge (where the shift lever is mounted) to the height of the instrument panel? Because of the rich equipment, like a radio with a CD player, automatic air conditioning and electrically adjustable windshields - is it just pampering? Or is it because of the comfortable position behind the steering wheel, which is height-adjustable, and because of the angle-adjustable driver's seat, which also makes tall drivers feel good?

Maybe the height of the roof, under which even two-meter basketball players of average height would look, so that passers-by do not roll on the floor laughing and crying, looking at them? Because. Because the baby inside looks much more mature than a man would say when leafing through brochures.

The materials are good, no crickets were found under the dashboard, the ergonomics are excellent. although I still don't understand why Fiat (the only one!) insists on a radio that is not tied to starting the engine and therefore has to turn on and off every time, and why the wiper fluid does not automatically turn on when spraying. We also lacked a few boxes, as there are none on the right or on the center console, and above all, we could also install a light that would illuminate a closed box in front of the navigator.

I fell in love with this car even more when I drove the first few kilometers. The gearbox is fantastic in one word! It is fast, soft as butter, precise, the gear lever is positioned as well as possible, the gear ratios are "very close" in favor of city driving, you just need to get used to the jamming of the reverse gear. Fiat is very proud of the electric power steering, to which they have added the ability to manually engage the City system.

Then the power steering works so hard that you can turn the steering wheel with one hand, which helps a lot when parking tight. However, the said steering wheel did not convince me, because when driving in winter conditions, I did not know for sure whether I was driving only on wet asphalt or it was already covered with treacherous ice. In short: in my opinion, it gives too little information to a more demanding driver, so I ranked it among the negative sides of the car.

However, since I admit the possibility that the most common drivers (read our softer halves) adore it for its ease of operation and, above all, it should save about 0 liters of gasoline per 2 km, I doubt it a little. Personally, I would prefer to replace the electric power steering with a regular one (even better: let them make the electric power steering better!), Give up the savings (which is negligible, assuming, according to rough estimates, that you will save, say, 100 tolar. When refueling) and comfort (which no) is problematic, since the car weighs only about 200 kilograms and therefore steering is still a simple task).

I'd rather drive safer (especially in winter!) Than save 400 tolar a month! You do not do?

But passenger safety is well taken care of by two airbags, ABS, an on-board computer (outside temperature display is a gold value these days!) and last but not least, radio buttons on the steering wheel and an Isofix system that provides parents with a better sleep. There is plenty of room in the rear seats, and surprisingly, my 180cm body was no problem either.

Unfortunately, the test car didn't have a movable rear bench (serious rivals like the Renault Twingo or Toyota Yaris, for example!), so we can't increase the base 206-litre boot - unless you want to take someone else, of course. in the back seats. The rear bench hasn't flipped over in a third or half, so we highly recommend that you consider the (extra) change and fold, as they come in handy, especially when you're skiing or out on the sea together.

The new Pando, which also won the European car title in 2004, is now available with a 1-liter petrol engine, with a 1-liter Multijet version coming in June this year. in Slovenia. With five pieces of equipment (Actual, Actual Plus, Active, Active Plus and Emotion) and base retail prices of one million six to two million two hundred, it will definitely change the sales figures in this commercially interesting class of vehicles. With what words would you end?

There are many advantages: the motorcycle silently accelerates to 100 km / h, so you can't hear it at all in the cabin, even at the final speed on the highway, the police won't even stop you, let alone punish you. you (we were a little jokingly convinced that the factory promised 155 km / h did not reach, the baby only climbed up to a good 140 km / h on busy roads), our normal consumption was only 6 liters (on a computer trip, even only 8, 6 ) ...

Yes, this is undoubtedly one of the best city cars. However, you can also rent malfunctions, such as a difficult opening of the gas tank lid with a key, an unreasonably inaccessible container for refueling the windshield, etc. You know, in love you also have to put up with something.

But trust me, disturbing little things couldn't dispel the good impression Nova Panda made in the editorial. A charming engine, excellent drivetrain, impeccable chassis, huge space and fresh body shape only tip the scales in favor of a purchase. but if you want something more in the Nova Panda, you can wait until June for the jump turbo diesel, until October for the 2005WD version, or until Spring XNUMX for the mini SUV.

Vinko Kernc

That times have changed can also (among other things) be seen through Panda. What was brilliant in 1979 to this day is in a sense charming and interesting, cool, has now become history. The new Panda may not be the spiritual successor to the previous "Crazy Brush," as the Germans affectionately call it, but it is undoubtedly a car that will win many hearts. Female and male.

Dusan Lukic

I confess I was surprised. Not only because a large and, shall we say, “strong” passenger was sitting behind me in the car without any problems, but also because the Panda is a small car with an interesting position on the road, which in this case is the exception rather than the rule. machine class. Yes, Panda can (deservedly) become a bestseller.

Petr Kavchich

The old panda is forever imprinted in my heart, because such a cute, versatile and charismatic car you will not find every day, and not for such a price. I'm glad the new Panda has kept this contact with the old one, as the price of the base model is very competitive. The one that we had on the test, cute on the outside and inside, but not so recognizable. The chassis and road position are a lot of fun, as are the spinning engine and surprisingly precise drivetrain (for this class of car). My only concern was the feeling of a little crampedness in the driver's seat (mostly lack of legroom).

Alyosha Mrak

Photo by Aleš Pavletič and Sasa Kapetanović.

Fiat Nova Panda 1.2 emotions

Basic data

Sales: Avto Triglav doo
Base model price: 9.238,86 €
Test model cost: 10.277,92 €
Power:44kW (60


KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h): 14,0 with
Maximum speed: 155 km / h
Mixed flow ECE: 5,6l / 100km
Guarantee: General warranty 2 years without mileage limitation, 8 years warranty, 1 year mobile device warranty FLAR SOS
Oil change every 20000 km
Systematic review 20000 km

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Regular services, works, materials: 247,87 €
Fuel: 6.639,96 €
Tires (1) 1.101,65 €
Loss of value (within 5 years): (7 years) 7.761,64 €
Compulsory insurance: 1.913,29 €
CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO +2.164,50


(
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Buy up € 20.067,68 0,20 (km cost: XNUMX


€)

Technical information

engine: 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - gasoline - front mounted transverse - bore and stroke 70,8 × 78,86 mm - displacement 1242 cm3 - compression 9,8:1 - maximum power 44 kW (60 hp .) at 5000 rpm - average piston speed at maximum power 13,1 m / s - specific power 35,4 kW / l (48,2 hp / l) - maximum torque 102 Nm at 2500 rpm min - 1 camshaft in the head) - 2 valves per cylinder - multipoint injection.
Energy transfer: front wheel motor drives - 5-speed manual transmission - gear ratio I. 3,909 2,158; II. 1,480 hours; III. 1,121 hours; IV. 0,897 hours; V. 3,818; rear 3,438 – differential 5,5 – rims 14J × 165 – tires 65/14 R 1,72, rolling range 1000 m – speed in 33,5 gear at XNUMX rpm XNUMX km / h.
Capacity: top speed 155 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 14,0 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 7,1 / 4,8 / 5,6 l / 100 km
Transportation and suspension: sedan - 5 doors, 4 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, leaf springs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear axle shaft, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers - front disc brakes, rear drum, mechanical parking brake behind the wheel (lever between seats) - Steering wheel with rack and pinion, power steering, 3,0 turns between extreme points.
Mass: empty vehicle 860 kg - permissible total weight 1305 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake 800 kg.
External dimensions: vehicle width 1578 mm - front track 1372 mm - rear track 1363 mm - ground clearance 9,1 m.
Inner dimensions: front width 1430 mm, rear 1340 mm - front seat length 500 mm, rear seat 470 mm - handlebar diameter 370 mm - fuel tank 35 l.
Box: Trunk volume measured with AM standard set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (total volume 278,5L):


1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 1 × suitcase (68,5 l)

Our measurements

T = -4 ° C / p = 1000 mbar / otn. vl. = 56% / Gume: Continental ContiWinterContact M + S
Acceleration 0-100km:16,7s
402m from the city: 20,0 years (


109 km / h)
1000m from the city: 37,5 years (


134 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h: 16,9 (IV.) S
Flexibility 80-120km / h: 29,4 (W) p
Maximum speed: 150km / h


(IV.)
Minimum consumption: 6,8l / 100km
Maximum consumption: 10,1l / 100km
test consumption: 8,5 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h: 52,7m
AM table: 45m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear60dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear58dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear58dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear66dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear66dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear64dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 3rd gear72dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear70dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear70dB
Test errors: unmistakable

Overall rating (321/420)

  • Nothing, very nice city car. It is not too small, it is not too big, it has enough room, and above all, it surprises with the gearbox, engine and brakes. We advise you to buy only the back movable bench!

  • Exterior (14/15)

    On the road, almost no one looked at him eagerly, but he is still cute and well-made.

  • Interior (97/140)

    It gets a few more points for roominess, equipment and comfort, and it loses a lot of points in the trunk.

  • Engine, transmission (34


    / 40)

    The engine has only eight valves, but when combined with the transmission, it still works great in this car.

  • Driving performance (82


    / 95)

    Good handling, New Panda is sensitive to crosswinds.

  • Performance (26/35)

    You will not break records at maximum speed, acceleration allows you to track city traffic.

  • Security (39/45)

    The braking distance is also slightly longer thanks to the winter tires.

  • Economy

    With a moderate right leg, consumption will be moderate, losing a few more points with a predicted loss in value.

We praise and reproach

Transmission

price

Equipment

engine

driving position

resting place for the driver's left leg

personally handled trunk

spaciousness on the back bench

the box in front of the front passenger is not illuminated

too few boxes

it does not have a movable (and partially foldable) back bench

small trunk

electric servo

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