Fiat Panda 1.2 Dualogic Emotion

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Basic data
Technical information

The history of the name is complex; the current Panda (project Fiat 169) should be in line with Gingo's original plans, but Fiat decided at the last minute to stick to the old, well-established name. One of the reasons is also that Renault complained about Ging, saying that it resembles the Twingo too much.

Jingo or Panda, the new Fiat has a tough job. It is clear that the new Panda will not be able to fulfill the legend of the previous one, because today's demands for progress do not allow such a long life of the car. According to the first Panda, buyers are still in demand (in Italy it is confidently in third place after sales from January to August this year and only slightly behind Seicent, which took second place), but at least in terms of safety it cannot reach your competitors.

Giugiaro's answer from the early XNUMX's will probably stay in my memory forever. When asked what he considers to be his most successful model (which, however, is meant for a thick book), he replied without much thought: Panda! It was only ten years later that we really realized his foresight; they made over four million!

But let's leave history to history. The panda that is attacking most of Europe this month (the Slovenes should only get it in November) has nothing to do with the old Panda - except, of course, the name - if we only look at the technique. In its philosophy, it follows the usability of the old Panda, but modernizes it today: although other versions are announced, the Panda will start as a five-door sedan and mostly with a good safety package, including a modern design of the body and driver's seat. air bag. The 1.2 engine comes standard with ABS, and up to six airbags and stability control electronics (ESP) can be upgraded at an additional cost. Fiat hopes the Panda will collect four stars in Euro NCAP crash tests.

Panda is trying to present itself as "more in one", as a car for different tastes and needs, while targeting all age groups and both genders. In terms of its external size and shape, it is at the intersection of segments A (eg Ka), "lower" B (eg Yaris) and L0 (eg Agila) and thus attracts 1 million potential customers in Europe every year. Therefore, Fiat's goal of selling 5 pandas a year does not seem optimistic.

Leaving aside the exterior, which seems much more attractive than in the photographs, especially in pleasant and bright pastel colors (5 metallic shades are also available, 11 in total), the main trump cards of the Panda are small external dimensions, (relatively) spacious interior, large double-glazed windows, maneuverability (driving radius is 9 meters) and ease of use of the trunk.

Inside, four adults sit surprisingly well, and the controls are well placed for the driver. We expected a little more from the boot: it is square and allows for half division and (large) longitudinal movement of the bench for an additional fee, but only the back is left to break; the seat remains stationary, so the increased luggage compartment has a fairly high step. The front passenger seat also does not have a folding backrest, but may have a storage compartment under the seat.

The choice is based on three (now well-known) engines and four sets of equipment. At Fiat, the base packages Actual and Active only targeted the base engine (1.1 8V Fire) and thus made the Pando affordable (€ 7950 in Italy), but such a Panda doesn't offer much. Much more interesting is the Panda with a 1.2 8V engine (also Fire) or the new 1.3 Multijet, where the Dynamic or Emotion packages offer much more (two airbags, ABS brakes, adjustable steering wheel, two-speed power steering, electric windshield package, trip computer, and , first of all, the possibility of upgrading additional equipment, for example, with manual or automatic air conditioning), but in this case the price also rises to (again true for Italy) just under 11.000 euros for the 1.2 8V engine. The representative of Slovenia announces prices at about 10% lower than in Europe, but it will be necessary to wait until the official prices are announced.

Regardless of equipment or engine, the new Panda is a friendly car. The driving position is very good, the steering wheel is light, the gear lever is docile, the visibility around is excellent. While the numbers don't give that impression, the performance of the engine is noticeably improved; while the smaller Fire is a good choice to start with, the larger petrol engine is already a good jump, and the absolute (among the three) most attractive is the turbodiesel with good usable torque performance, better performance overall, with surprisingly quiet and quiet (at least inside) running and with minimal fuel consumption.

The supplied version (Panda Van) with a 1000 liter load compartment and a 500 kg payload will also go on sale this year. The Pand family will grow over the course of the year when they will also offer a three-door version and an all-wheel drive option with a center viscous clutch. Fiat has also mentioned new engines, but nothing specific so far. We can expect at least a 16-valve 1-liter petrol engine from the Fire family.

Now Fiat, of course, hopes that the new Panda, the new car with the old name, will be new enough, fresh enough and neat enough to sustain the same successes as the old one. Technologies, (possible) equipment speak in its favor, only at the price it may not be exactly what the buyers would like.

Fiat Panda 1.2 Dual Emotion

Basic data

Sales:	Avto Triglav doo
Base model price:	10.950,00 €
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Power:	44kW (60 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	14,0 with
Maximum speed:	155 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	4,6l / 100km