Fiat Panda Lounge 0.9 TwinAir - with a Polish touch

Although the Panda is not made in Tychy, under the hood you can detect a Polish accent. I'm talking about the 0.9 TwinAir engine. How does a two-cylinder engine work in an urban Fiat?

In 2012, the third generation Panda appeared on the market. Fiat decided to develop the well-established Panda II formula, an A-segment car with a box body. Styling has improved, equipment has been enriched and a recipe for greater driving comfort has been found.

The correct shape of the body made it possible to design a spacious interior. Four adults can travel on the Panda in relative comfort. An elevated driving position gives a good view of the situation in front of the hood, while the vertical body walls and short overhangs make it easier to feel the contours of the car when maneuvering - you can not spend a thousand zlotys on rear parking sensors with a clear conscience.

Like other A-segment cars, the Panda only has a vertically adjustable steering column. The interior, however, was so well planned that one could find a comfortable position. Another plus for interior decoration. The positive impression does not end with the ubiquitous square motif or plastic texture, which are formed by the letters that form the name of the model.

The door panels are fully upholstered, and the multi-piece dashboard is a reminder that the Italians weren't looking for economy at all costs, as is typical of other city cars. Panda also towers over them with equipment. It can even get a heated windshield and automatic air conditioning. About accessories such as navigation or heated seats, and say nothing.

Panda's adulthood is also confirmed by the trim of the trunk. The sturdy shelf rises with the fifth door, there is no shortage of light point, no padding on the side walls and no loading threshold. With a volume of 225 liters, the Panda trunk is a leader in its segment. It is a pity that Fiat did not take care of additional lockers in the cabin.

The twin-cylinder TwinAir engine is being built at the Fiat Powertrain Technologies plant in Bielsko-Biala. Since his debut, the individual has been the subject of lively debate about the legality of downsizing. Although the transition from 1,6 to 1,2 liters or from four to three cylinders will be accepted by most drivers sooner or later, it is difficult to convince them in two harms and 875 cc. 

Fiat engineers have gone to great lengths to ensure that the TwinAir is free from the vibrations typical of two-cylinder engines. A balance shaft and a dual-mass flywheel were used. This is not the end. The MultiAir electro-hydraulic intake valve control system provides optimal cylinder filling under various loads, which also reduces engine resistance.

The drive computer has two cards. By default, we have 85 hp at our disposal. and 145 Nm. If necessary, Panda TwinAir accelerates to "hundreds" in 11,2 seconds. The response to the gas will pleasantly surprise if the driver makes sure that the tachometer needle shows at least 3000-3500 rpm. It's not hard since the gearbox has been shortened. The swivel cylinders rumble pleasantly, reminiscent of the Italian classic with two cylinders. The layer of noise-reducing materials, however, is so abundant that the noise of a running motor is not annoying. Vibrations can be described in the same way - they are felt, but not annoying.

However, dynamic driving comes at a cost. The cylinders can drive up to 9 l / 100 km. Average fuel consumption drops to 5-6 l / 100 km when the driver gently presses the accelerator pedal and activates Eco mode, which limits throttle sensitivity and maximum engine performance to 77,5 hp. and 100 Nm.

The Panda's suspension handles bumps fairly well, dampening most of them. It also handles faster rides well, but lateral body movements and understeer are reminders that the model has no sporting aspirations. This is confirmed by a slightly working steering system. Upon request, he can offer… even less resistance. After pressing the City button, the steering wheel can be turned with just one finger. ESP is standard, as is Hill Holder, which makes pulling off easier by maintaining brake pressure until the clutch is released.

The cheapest Pandas offered is Fresh 1.2 (69 KM) costs PLN 31. For the Easy option with manual air conditioning, you need to prepare almost 990 40. zloty The 0.9 TwinAir engine is intended for the richly equipped Lounge version (manual air conditioning, audio system), which starts at a ceiling of 52 200 zł. The current promotion reduces the price of the car to 46 200 zlotys. This is still a lot - buyers of cars in the segment are accustomed to monitoring every zloty spent from both sides. The idea of ​​matching engine version to equipment level effectively limits the pool of potential TwinAir buyers. In Western European countries the situation is completely different. With approved carbon dioxide emissions of g/km, you can avoid paying tax on the vehicle's operation. In our reality, Panda TwinAir is a concrete proposal. It can provide both driving pleasure and reasonable fuel management. It's a pity that it was impossible to connect one to the other...