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Panda 2012+ Chichi, the Angry Panda

Introduction

Took delivery this afternoon. She's a Twinair Cross in Tuscany Green with winter & comfort packs, reversing sensors and rear privacy glass.

Had sill kick plates, matts, boot liner & the Panda B pillar badges fitted by the dealer.

She replaces my beloved 500 Twinair Plus which is going to a good friend (the best pound for pound car I've ever owned - I'll really miss it)

Early impressions are very solid & grown up. Nice controls, great driving position and a good drive. Quieter than I was expecting too, especially given the reviews & the semi-serious rubber.

Bring on the snow!

Here are some pics:-

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I'll keep you posted :)

Cheers,
Looks good. Was your various Panda accessory garnish from the dealer, or ebay?
 
Looks great - actually, looks really good in the green

Can you post a photo showing the whole sill protector? My 4x4 is white and I'm worried that scuff marks from getting in and out will start to show. Seen the protectors listed by local Fiat dealer via eBay but photos they post don't show them on the car

Where do they put the seat heater switches on the Cross? The place they go on the other Panda's is occupied by the 'terrain control'

Thanks!
Pete
 
That looks really good Squadrone Rosso - Jealous much! Anyway enjoy.
It's the some colour as mine that's on order, the more I see it the more I like it.
I had a Twinair 500 (briefly - long story). As a now ex-500 driver yourself
I'm curious as to whether that extra 5bhp makes any difference or is it soaked
up by losses in the 4x4 system?
 
Too early to tell as only done 19 miles....lol

The overall refinement is a lot better than the 500, especially road noise.

Not at all what I was expecting.

1st is short but 2nd a bit to tall to pull off with. 6th is a bonus.

Ice this morning. Heated screen + bum warmers = bliss :D
 
Yeh it'll need a few K up before you'll get a good comparative feel for the engine, it's a heavier car then the 500 so I'm guessing there won't by a major impact from the extra 5bhp. What you probably will notice will be the effect of the 6 gears which probably allows for tighter ratios making the car feel a bit quicker as your on boost earlier, I recall a few TA panda owners commenting that the TA felt quicker on the panda then the 500 which I'm guessing is the gearing and probably a different map to suit.
 
My good lady had her first look at Chichi this morning.

Not sure / keen as I expected. Functional according to her.

Pointed out that there was more leg room in the back of the 500 with the driver's seat set for me which was both true & surprising:eek:

Liked the access though, the bigger boot, general oddment space, driving position, quality & the fact it's quirky(y)

I cleaned all the glass then put rain repellent on the side windows, rear screen & lights.

Out in it tonight. May take it to a Piston Heads meet tomorrow:lol:
 
A question about gears: the diesel 4x4 only has five gears, but at 70mph (speedo indicated - sat nav says speedo reads a little slow) the rev counter shows about 2700rpm. I think the TwinAir is revving higher than that at 70mph? The 4x4 TA (and Cross) have a lower first gear, to provide a 'crawler' fro going up the steep stuff off road. The diesel doesn't need that because of the greater torque at low revs. My only problem with gears (on MJ) is driving at 35pmh -- 30 will do in forth and 40 in fifth -- but in heavy traffic moving at 35 you have to keep swapping between them.
 
I'll check out the actual v indicated road speeds v revs this week(y)

First on the TA is very short but pulling off in second seems unnatural & too high.

Now done just over 70 miles on mixed roads & have had a really good look at here.

She drives nicely, the controls are really nicely weighted, very refined & quiet compared the the 500.

Only blemish on the build quality is the passenger side plastic wheel arch trim doesn't seem quite flush. The driver's is spot on. May need that looked at to prevent stones & the likes from getting trapped:rolleyes:

Need to fine tune the driving position too as not quite there yet.

Heated seat are fantastic though. Super quick to heat up:cool:

Cheers,
 
Mine hit a recorded 109 miles today. Average mpg thus far is 35.3 with hardly and Eco button action.

I bought a litre of Castrol Edge 0w/30 oil from Halfords just in case top up is required.

My previous TA 500 took 250ml during running in but didn't use a single drop after that.

Still not 100% there with the seat position but other than that, what a fantastic car :D

Ref the rain repellent on the side glass & rear screen, Autoglym Lifeshine.

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Cheers,
 
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I feel somewhat ashamed and have a confession to make. Po had his altercation with the Puke at 400 miles and hadn't at that stage had a wash or polish - for the simple reason he was still pretty clean.

2,000 miles now and I still haven't, convinced myself to wait until he is repaired. Will also fit the sill protectors and alloy dust caps then too, I have fitted the boot liner mind.

He is rather mucky at the moment?
 
I feel somewhat ashamed and have a confession to make. Po had his altercation with the Puke at 400 miles and hadn't at that stage had a wash or polish - for the simple reason he was still pretty clean.

2,000 miles now and I still haven't, convinced myself to wait until he is repaired. Will also fit the sill protectors and alloy dust caps then too, I have fitted the boot liner mind.

He is rather mucky at the moment?


Used any oil at all in the first 2k miles? How's the mpg?

Can understand the wish not to wash a shunted car :(

Not washed mine yet but early days ;)
 
Hasn't used a drop. Mind you the VRS didn't for about 3k then became an oilaholic? common on the twin charger engine and mine was a lot better than some apparently. Consistent 36mpg around town (a short 5 mile run - engine barely gets warm) much better it seems at 50 to 60, 50mpg up for grabs. 70+ and you are looking at low to mid 40's.
 
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Pleased you're enjoying the Cross and all is going well. Just a quick question
about the correct type/grade of oil in the TwinAir. I understand the multi-air unit
is pretty sensitive to oil viscosity, the Fiat owners manual I found online
specifies Selena KPE (0W-30m Acea C2) .
From your comment about topping up above, you mention using Castrol Edge 0W-30 - are they equivalent in your opinion?
( I guess you must have used it your 500 TwinAir with no ill effect)

My Cross has moved to 30 - so I may have 1-2 weeks left yet!
 
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