We review the Panda 4×4 (2013) from price to economy and all its features
THIS is the Panda that’s ready to KO a few SUVs with a couple of black eyes.
It’s the new all-wheel-drive version of Fiat’s highly acclaimed city car — and we’ve had a first drive in Balocco, Italy, this week.
The Panda 4x4 is unique as being the only city car in its segment that can offer four-wheel drive — and it has an off-road ability that remarkably makes it closer to Land Rover than a standard Fiat.
This cute creation can deal with city to gritty within seconds.
Like some sort of motorised Jodie Marsh, its appearance has suddenly morphed from attractive to rippling bodybuilder.
On the outside, it gets chunky body cladding, special 15in alloys, a ride height raised by 47mm and an air intake raised by 700mm. But unlike Marsh, there’s nothing fake about the Panda.
Under the new muscly biceps there is a proper off-roader that its new American stablemates Jeep or Land Rover would be proud of.
It has an intelligent permanent all-wheel-drive transmission called ‘Torque on Demand’. This fully automatic system sends traction to the front wheels, rear wheels or a combination of both depending on road and grip conditions.
To illustrate that the Panda 4x4 is the real off-road deal, its approach, breakover and departure angles are all greater and better equipped to deal with the rough stuff than crossovers Mini Countryman and Nissan Qashqai.
Under the new muscly biceps there is a proper off-roader
Perhaps its biggest leap in quality is on-road, though. The previous model was too unrefined on Tarmac, which was a big let-down considering that was where it spent most of its time.
The new model is much improved. It’s supple but never feels wallowy and the spongier suspension absorbs even the most inhospitable surfaces — perfect for our potholed roads.
It handles decently enough as long as you don’t want to drive it like one of its Ferrari brothers.
Off-road it’s even more impressive. I tested it on the Fiat Group’s famous Balocco proving ground in northern Italy and it was a real eye-opener. It tackled ridiculously steep ascents, plunging descents, slippery surfaces and tricky obstacles with absolute ease. This was a course designed for the new Jeeps — yet the Panda coped with the lot.
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One of its other great attributes is the feeling behind the wheel. You get a high and commanding view of the road, and the entire cabin is spacious and airy.
The interior is almost identical to the regular city car although, as based on the range-topping model, the 4x4 also gets climate control, an MP3-compatible stereo, central locking and electric windows and mirrors.
The extra ride height help add even more visibility to the standard supermini.
And while the front seats and 225 litres of boot space are very good, adults will find legroom a tad tight in the back seats.
I drove the 84bhp 0.9litre TwinAir and it’s a perky drive. Turn the key and the TwinAir engine bursts into life, sounding more like a scooter than a car.
The steering, pedals and gearshift are all extremely light and easy to use while the chunky steering wheel and gear knob make it feel strong.
This cute creation can deal with city to gritty within seconds
The steering is perfectly weighted and the six-speed manual gearbox — with the shift placed on dash — is so undemanding yet fun to use.
Despite the fact the TwinAir needs to be revved to really get going, it’s still quiet when you get it up to motorway speeds. It’s a perfect blend.
The Panda 4x4 will also be offered with a 74bhp 1.3litre MultiJet diesel engine from launch. Despite feeling stronger, it’s much noiser but less punchier and thus not as much fun. Of the two engines, the TwinAir is a clear winner — and better still, it will be around £1,000 cheaper.
For all its extra ability, the Panda 4x4 TwinAir will still be cheap to run, offering around 60mph and CO2 emissions of just 105g/km.
However it will be expensive to buy compared to city car competitors. Prices are expected to be a shade under £14,000, making it £1,700 more than the standard model. But don’t forget you are getting the added abilities of a Land Rover that’s been shrunk on boil wash into the bargain.
If you want all the look but truly don’t need the all-wheel drive, Fiat have also launched a two-wheel-drive version called the Trekking. That has all the character and look of the 4x4 but just lacks the real off-roading knowhow.
Fiat have sold 6.5million Pandas since it debuted in 1980 dubbed ‘The Magic Box’ — 420,000 have been the 4x4 versions since that arrived three years later.
This latest 4x4 hits the European market during a huge slump — much trickier terrain than anything we faced on the Balocco 4x4 proving ground.
But this wild Panda has proved it’s ready to cope with any conditions.