Just like the architecture, the car must also move with the times. And nothing is more ‘in the year 2021’ than hybridisation. Even in the A segment, the ambivalent drive is advancing. Not a brand new model at the forefront, but the old, trusted Fiat Panda.
On average, a car generation is in the showrooms for about seven years and then makes way for a successor. This is not always the case and for some new generations you may wonder whether it is not just a continuation of the previous model, but as a rule of thumb it is reasonably correct. The Fiat Panda is the exception that confirms the rule: nine years on the market and a successor is not yet in sight. In fact, Fiat simply decides to largely replace the existing engines with a new generation of powertrains. ‘Hybrid’ is proud of the Panda, which makes one of the old-timers one of the first in this segment with dual drive. With that, the Italians seem to have a trump card in this segment.
Mild hybrid
Incidentally, Fiat does it with the name Hybrid a bit nicer than it actually is. From a technical point of view, it is a so-called mild hybrid and the emphasis is especially on the word ‘mild’. Not surprising, since a full hybrid would entail costs that would quickly put a car out of the market, especially in the A-segment. That is why Fiat keeps it nice and simple. In fact, a first look at the specifications of the Panda almost evokes nostalgic feelings. A 1.0-liter three-cylinder with a single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder and indirect gasoline injection doesn’t exactly sound like the forefront of new technology. In contrast to some other mild hybrids, the Panda also works without a 48-volt on-board power supply; 12 volts is sufficient for a car of this size and weight, according to Fiat. The car does have an extra battery under the driver’s seat to store braking energy and use it again when accelerating. This is done by means of the starter motor, which is attached to the three-cylinder with a belt. Officially the specifications of that starter motor are not known, but it will not be much more than a handful of horsepower and 15 Nm. Not very impressive in itself, but that extra push can be used almost from idle speed and on a total of 70 hp and 92 Nm it saves quite a bit in percentage terms.
Apparent reserve
In practice you hardly notice the system and we mean that positively. The Panda at most slows down a bit more emphatically when releasing gas than you would expect, otherwise only the battery meter in the dashboard betrays it as a hybrid. Although it really does not make the Panda a sprinter, the electric motor gives the Fiat a pleasant false reserve. Even if things are not going full throttle, the little Italian can easily keep up with the traffic. At the bottom, the three-cylinder picks up easily thanks to the electro-assistance, so that nice linear power is built up over the entire rev range. In addition, the standard six-speed gearbox also lends a hand in keeping the powertrain lively. However, the lever could move a little easier and a little more feeling in the clutch would improve the smoothness when driving away.
No navigation
Unfortunately, the Panda is a bit lacking in modern security systems. The option list includes an active braking system, but that is where the active safety field pretty much ends and on the standard version side airbags are only optionally available. A built-in navigation system is completely missing, although a smartphone holder placed on the dashboard largely compensates for that lack. More annoying is the on-board computer, which does not excel in user-friendliness. For example, it has been a while since we had to pick up the booklet to find out how to dim the dashboard lighting or connect a phone via Bluetooth. The seating position can be adjusted less well and the Panda offers less space for both luggage and passengers. It does not help that the battery placed under the driver’s seat for the hybrid system takes up valuable foot space.
City Cross
The attentive reader will not have missed the fact that the Panda in these photos is a bit higher on its legs. This has to do with the fact that the Launch Edition is only as City Cross in the price list. If you go for an Easy version, you can choose a low hatchback and we would always do that in any case. Not only does it make a difference in price, consumption and road holding will probably also benefit. The elevated version has much of the agility of the normal Panda, but because the higher mass must be adequately kept on the road, the City Cross drives a bit more bouncy than we can remember from the hatchback. This does not benefit comfort and of course the handling does not benefit from the lift treatment either. However, the Panda sends, especially with the City mode enabled, very light, which works well in the city.
With its new engine, the Panda moves with the times, but it does not take it past the much younger competition from, for example, Asia.