Fiat Panda 1.3 16v Multijet
Although there are some notable exceptions, the car industry is a relatively fast moving business. Recommend a car one day and it can be yesterdays news in a matter of weeks. Certain cars, however, look to have some legs. Ive a sneaking suspicion that the Fiat Panda 1.
3 Multijet diesel is one of them. If anything comes along in the next twelve months that can topple this car as a best buy in the citycar category, a healthy dose of hat will be eaten, not least of which by me.
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The Dynamic trim level features anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, a trip computer, twin front airbags, dual drive electric power steering and body coloured bumpers. The 70bhp 1.3-litre Multijet diesel offers reasonable performance with 65.7mpg average fuel consumption.
Even around town youll see 52.3 mpg while on a longer run the Panda will return an astonishing 76.3mpg. Couple that cruising economy with a 35-litre fuel tank and the Panda has a range of up to 586 miles amazing for such a small car.
Emissions are a paltry 114g/km, making this Panda one of the cleanest cars of its ilk. The 1248cc engine is certainly a thoroughly modern one. Compact and lightweight, it boasts twin cams, 16-valves, second generation common rail injection and enough technical nous to meet Euro4 emission requirements. The usual diesel approach in engines like this one is to shoot a couple of shots a fuel into the cylinder, a pilot squirt preceding the main one.
Multijet technology divides that main injection into a series of smaller shots, the idea being to reduce emissions and noise and at the same time increase performance.
"Not only is the Multijet diesel the quickest Panda, its also the cleanest and most economical"
Fire the thing up and it sounds a bit feeble but on the move, 145Nm of torque means that it never feels out of its depth, either in town or out on the motorway. Sixty from rest is 12.8s away, en route to an academic top speed of 99mph. As usual with decent diesels, those figures disguise the fact that where this car really excels is in mid-range pulling power.
Overtaking, then, is surprisingly easy. As easy in fact as this car should be on the pocket. Fiat have gone to great lengths to instil a big car feel in the Panda and the amount of soundproofing pays dividends. Fiat claim the Panda is the only car in its class to have 99 per cent of its interior surface lined, and this certainly helps both the perception of quality and noise suppression.
The Panda will pull from low speeds cleanly and the gearshift is probably the best in the citycar class. The clutch feels like a well engineered item as well, being progressive in its action, making stop/go progress easy to manage. The City button takes all the weight out of the steering system and makes three point turns an exercise in effortless wheel twirling. The cabin is very well finished with a good deal of space but there is a caveat.
If youre over six feet tall, do not order the Panda with the optional SkyDome sunroof as it eats into headroom quite drastically. Whats more, the sunroof surround is quite pronounced and features a definite ridge that you taller occupants easily and painfully clout their heads against. Space in the back of the Panda is a mixed bag, the car being wider and taller than many rivals but without a great deal of legroom. Still, Fiat can only do so much with a car that measures just 3.
54m from nose to tail. Luggage space is surprisingly good, especially if you opt for the added practicality of the optional split/fold rear seat. The hatchback is both wide and tall and theres no intrusion from the rear light clusters although the rear wheel arches limit ultimate carrying capacity somewhat. Despite their ongoing efforts to convince us that they can build a wide and varied model range, its an inescapable fact that Fiat are still largely associated with tiny citycars.
From the diminutive Topolino through models like the 500, Uno and Cinquecento, Fiat have proved masters at making tiny cars with enormous appeal. Originally introduced in 1980 and still produced in Italy until September 2003, the Panda has been one of Fiats more enduring successes, notching up over four and a half million sales. It didnt have the easiest start to life. Originally slated to be called the Gingo, it seems Renault have done Fiat a huge favour by insisting they ditch this awful moniker because it sounded too similar to their Twingo - a car that competes for the same market share.
Quite why Fiat wanted to ditch the Panda name is a little baffling as its still remembered by most as a car that was inexpensive, rugged and ahead of its time; qualities youd think Fiat would like to associate their latest offering with. Structural solidity is a key strength of the latest model and the Panda features body structures that at first cushion impact and then direct energy away from the rigid passenger compartment. Its also the first car in this class to offer no fewer than six airbags as standard on some models. You can choose no fewer than six airbags if you wish, although driver and passenger airbags are standard on all models.
Even this Dynamic model is fitted with anti lock brakes, and brake assist at no extra cost. Youll find £25,000 executive cars that will require you to tick the options box for some of these features, so to find them in a citycar is a testament to Fiats commitment to safety. Fiat have built an enviable reputation as purveyors of some of the finest diesel engines around. The Fiat Panda 1.
3 Multijet capitalises on this in a major way and with a price of just under £8,000 it looks a very good buy. It also marks something of a transition in the citycar sector. No longer are citycars limited, cramped and obviously built down to a price. If you appreciate a quality product that has some durability, try the Panda.
Youll be glad you did.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Fiat Panda 1.3-litre Multijet Diesel
PRICE: £8,295 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 2
CO2 EMISSIONS: 114g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.8s / Max Speed 99mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 51mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3538/1790/1540mm
