Overview

Released in October 2013, the Fiat Panda was a five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Naples, Italy, the Panda range consisted of front-wheel drive Pop, Easy and Lounge variants, and all-wheel drive Trekking variants.

Fiat Panda engines

Of the engines:

• For Pop variants, the 1.2-litre (1242 cc) FIRE (‘Fully Integrated Robotised Engine’) four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, a single overhead camshaft (belt-driven), two valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing and a compression ratio of 11.1:1;
• For Easy and Lounge variants, the 875 cc TwinAir petrol engine had a cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, a single turbocharger, a single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve lift, a counterbalance shaft and a compression ratio of 10.0:1. Unlike conventional engines which use a throttle valve to regulate airflow into cylinders, the TwinAir engine had electro-hydraulically actuated inlet valves which controlled airflow cylinders directly for greater efficiency; and,
• For Trekking variants, the 1.2-litre (1248 cc) MultiJet 2 turbo-diesel engine had a cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, a fixed geometry turbocharger, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 16.8:1.

Furthermore, both the TwinAir and MultiJet 2 had a Start&Stop function which enabled the engine to shut down when the vehicle was stationary.

Body and dimensions

Underpinned by the Fiat/Mini platform, the Panda was 3653 mm long, 1643 mm wide (not including mirrors), 1551 mm tall and had a 2300 mm long wheelbase; its drag coefficient was 0.32 Cd. The Trekking variants, however, were 33 mm longer (at 3686 mm), 29 mm wider (1672 mm) and 54 mm taller (1605 mm).

Steering and suspension

All Pandas had electric power-assisted steering, MacPherson strut front suspension with lower transverse wishbones and a torsion beam rear axle. Furthermore, the steering included a ‘City’ function – activated by a dash-mounted button – which provided greater power assistance for low-speed manoeuvres.

Panda Trekking: all-wheel drive system

The full-time all-wheel drive system for the Panda Trekking utilised an electronically controlled coupling. Ninety-eight (98) per cent of the engine’s torque was directed to the front wheels in normal conditions, though an electronic control unit continually assessed conditions to determine whether additional torque should be directed to the rear axle. If required, the coupling could engage to direct up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels.

The Panda Trekking was also fitted with electronic differential locks (EDLs) which could brake the wheels with less grip to transfer torque to the wheels with grip (i.e. cross-axle torque transfer). Operational at speeds below 50 km/h, the EDLs could be activated manually by pressing the button behind the gear lever.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Panda included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Unique within the range, Lounge variants were fitted with Fiat’s Low Speed Collision Mitigation (LSCM) system. Using a laser sensor, the LSCM system could detect obstacles in front of the vehicle that were more than 40 per cent of the width of the vehicle (around 660 mm) and for which the angle of impact would be less than 30 degrees. If a collision was anticipated, engine torque would be reduced if the accelerator pedal had not been released and the brake ‘Prefill’ function would prime the braking system for faster response. When activated, the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) function would apply the brakes to either prevent or reduce the severity of a collision.

The Panda was fitted with 257 mm by 12 mm front brake discs and 203 mm by 38 mm rear drum brakes. While Pop variants had solid front brake discs, the Easy, Lounge and Trekking variants had ventilated front discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Panda – when not fitted with side airbags – received a four star safety rating which included an 82 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 63 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection for the driver’s head and feet were rated as good, though chest, upper leg and knee protection was rated as adequate. In the side impact test, chest protection was rated as marginal and, in the more severe pole test, chest protection was weak.

Under ANCAP’s methodology, this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 32.78 out of 37.

Features

Standard features for the Panda Pop included 14 x 5.5J steel wheels with 175/65 R14 82T tyres, four speaker sound system with a CD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod) and Bluetooth connectivity, ‘Tricot’ seat fabric, air conditioning, daytime running lights, multi-function steering wheel, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power front windows, a height adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser.

Fiat’s ‘Blue&Me’ connectivity system was fitted as standard across the range, enabling synchronisation of Bluetooth compatible devices. A navigation device docking port was also fitted as standard, though the Blue&Me TomTom navigation system was an extra-cost option.

Relative to the Pop variants, the Panda Easy added a six speaker sound system, ‘Rubik’ seat fabric, rear parking sensors, roof rails and a ‘Comfort kit’ which consisted of rear grab handles, driver’s side glasses holder and height adjustable seat belts. Visually, the Easy variants could be identified by their body-coloured mirrors.

The Panda Lounge was further equipped with 15 x 6.0J alloy wheels with 185/55 R15 82H tyres, climate control air conditioning, front fog lights, two-tone leather wrapped steering wheel, power mirrors, a height adjustable driver’s seat, gloss black dashboard trim and rear privacy glass. The Lounge variants were also distinguished by their body-coloured door handles and protective side mouldings.

Finally, the Panda Trekking had 15 x 6.0J alloy wheels with 175/65 R15 84T tyres, dual-tone seat fabric, heated front seats, leather-wrapped gear shift knob, a heated windscreen and a unique body kit.

Related links

• Equipment: Fiat Panda (October 2013)
• Specifications: Fiat Panda (October 2013)
• Behind the Wheel: 2014 Fiat Panda Pop Review
• Wikipedia.org: Fiat Panda

Recalls: Fiat Panda

Overview

Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: Fiat Panda

No recall information is available for the Fiat Panda. To search for recalls of Fiat models, please visit Product Safety Recalls Australia: Fiat.

Problems and faults: Fiat Panda

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.

2014-15 Fiat Panda 1.2 (EU6): hesitation when accelerating from rest

For 2014 and 2015 Fiat Panda and 500 vehicles that had 1.2-litre petrol engines which complied with Euro 6 (EU6) emissions standards, owners have complained of a lack of power at engine speeds below 3000 rpm which makes it difficult to accelerate from rest, particularly uphill. It is believed that this problem was caused by engine mapping introduced for the EU6 compliant 1.2-litre petrol engine that was available from May 2014.

In BBC’s Watchdog program, a mechanic attributed the difficulty in accelerating to a delay between pressing the accelerator pedal and the engine’s response. In the video below, stunt driver Ben Collins attempts to drive the Fiat 500 up a hill, concluding that there was a lack of power below 3000 rpm and that it was necessary to rev the engine to 5000 rpm and ride the clutch in order to drive up the hill.

In a statement following BBC’s Watchdog programme, Fiat acknowledged that the majority of complaints it had received were for EU6 compliant Fiat 500 1.2 vehicles that did not have electronic stability control (ESC) and that these vehicles had different engine software to those which did have ESC.

In March 2015, Fiat introduced a series of rectification measures to address these problems:

• Replacement of the clutch position sensor;
• An ECU update for idle and emissions controls; and,
• An ESC update (for models which had ESC).

Fiat Panda 1.3 MultiJet Diesel: timing chain failure

The 1.3 MultiJet 16V diesel engine has a paper insert oil filter which can clog and crumble – this causes the oil feed pipe for the chain tensioner to become blocked which, in turn, causes the timing chain to stretch, become slack and potentially break. The 1.3 MultiJet 16V engine has 32,000 kilometre service intervals and more frequent changes are recommended to prevent this from occurring. If the timing chains are replaced, the crank pulley bolt must be tightened to the required specification or it can come loose, adversely affect the engine’s timing and snap the rockers.

Fiat Panda 1.3 MultiJet Diesel: failed DPF regeneration

The Fiat 1.3 MultiJet 16V engine has a diesel particulate filter (DPF) which can become clogged with soot such that it needs to be regenerated. To regenerate the DPF, excess fuel is injected to raise the temperature of the exhaust gases sufficiently to burn off the soot. However, this excess diesel fuel can seep into the sump and raise the level of sump oil such that the sump oil enters the engine and causes serious damage.

Released in Australia in October 2013, the Fiat Panda was a five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Naples, Italy, the Panda range consisted of front-wheel drive Pop, Easy and Lounge variants, and all-wheel drive Trekking variants. Underpinned by the Fiat/Mini platform, the Panda was 3653 mm long, 1643 mm wide (not including mirrors), 1551 mm tall and had a 2300 mm long wheelbase… Read full Fiat Panda review

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Euro NCAP: Fiat Panda crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing, the Fiat the Panda – when not fitted with side airbags – received a four star safety rating which included an 82 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 63 per cent child occupant protection rating. For more details, please see the Euro NCAP website. Videos are provided with the permission of Euro NCAP.

Carbuyer: Fiat Panda review

Note

Please note that these videos are applicable to vehicles as they are supplied to their respective markets. As such, the features, prices and performance of the vehicles in these videos may differ from those which are supplied in Australia.

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