The Refreshed 2017 Fiat Panda
Earlier this year we flew to Durban to attend the launch of the new Fiat Panda. As we spent most of the time driving the exciting 4×4 and Cross models, we only got a glimpse of the city models. Now, a few months later, we’ve had the new Fiat Panda city model all to ourselves and got to experience it on home ground, driving it in and around Cape Town for a week.
The Fiat Panda was first introduced to South Africa in 2013. The latest version is slightly longer, wider and taller, making it more practical, without compromising on its basic shape. Larger dimensions give the boot a bit more space too and if you want to create more room you can fold the back seats down.
The new model maintains its cheeky Italian flair, with hints of styling from the Fiat 500, such as squirkle features that carry throughout. Very cool and funky new colours are available on the Panda range and our test car boasted a very energetic and bright shade of orange (named Sicilian Orange). This might not be everyone’s cup of tea, as far as colour is concerned, but luckily Fiat has provided Panda fans with an extensive range of solid or metallic colours to choose from.
The engine line-up for the new Panda features Fiat’s unique two-cylinder 900CC TwinAir petrol engine that produces 63kW of power at 5,500 r/min and 145 N.m of torque at 1,900 r/min. This is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission on the Easy and Lounge versions.
Inside the new Panda, you sit pretty high up and visibility all round is really good, which is great for driving around the city. Even though the Panda appears taller and you sit higher up, it’s surprisingly swift around corners and you never feel like you’re being thrown around.
The new UConnect Infotainment system, which was available as standard on the version I drove (Lounge), allows you to make the most of your phone when it’s paired to the car. Using your phone, you can play music stored on your mobile device, access your phonebook, make calls, access maps and more.
Driving the new Panda becomes fun and practical once you get used to its small engine. It’s great in traffic and you can play around quite a bit in first gear. However, it does seem to struggle somewhat in second gear and you’ve really got to get those revs up to maintain momentum. Once you’re out on the highway and into fifth gear it cruises smoothly, but you might notice quite a bit of road and wind noise due to lack of sound insulation.
As the new Fiat Panda shares many of its components with the Fiat 500, it has reliability going for it and should be a fairly trouble-free car to own. Overall, it’s a fun and cheap little city car to consider. If you’re looking for something a little more robust, check out its bigger sibling, the Fiat Panda Cross. Click here for the review.
Pricing for the Fiat Pandas starts at R184 900 for the city version. All Fiat vehicles are available at dealerships countrywide and carry a 3 year/100 000 km warranty and service plan.