General New 500 0 - 62 mph time?

[Zakkala]

Hi folks,

First post for me, so hello!

Just wondered if anyone could clarify if this is correct?

Fiat Panda 100bhp - 0 - 62mph is 9.5 secs
Fiat 500 1.4 sport - 0 - 62 mph is 10.5 secs

Is this right? I thought it was the same engine, but the 500 is a tad lighter than the Panda, so expected the times to be comparable or for the 500 to be a smidge quicker? Also, on the specifications on the Fiat website, the 1.4 sport seems to be down as an 8 valve rather than 16 - can anyone confirm that the 1.4 in the 500 is actually a 16 valve?

Also, can anyone advise if the gearing in the 500 is the same as the Panda 100? And finally - can anyone that's actually seen a 500 sport advise how the seats compare to those in the Panda 100?

Thanks folks!

 

[ensonricky]

Can't clarify the other issues but the Fiat website is clearly confused when it comes to the number of valves. The 8 valve 1.2 is also quoted as 16 valves when it is the only 8 valve car in the range. The 0-100kmph time must be down to gearing I presume, perhaps an extra gearchange is required.

 

[Nuova500]

CAR magazine roadtested the Panda 100HP and 1.4 500 and said the Panda was quicker and more fun to drive. The ride is apparently better in the 500.

 

[ensonricky]

Car magazine also voted the 500 their car of the year and presumably felt the 500 was better in every other respect to the Panda. The most magically alluring interior of any car on sale today I believe.

 

[gib1970]

the 500 1.4 and panda 100hp are different style cars really - yes, the panda 100hp is considerably faster owing to the gearing and the fact that the ecu's are set up differently. it also has much sharper handling owing to the stiffer suspension.

in terms of fun and driver involvement the panda 100hp is probably the better choice - the 500 1.4 will have a softer ride if those kind of things appeal to you - and if you buy a car for a 'magically alluring interior' (press blurb??!!) rather than driving pleasure then i guess it would appeal to you as well.

horses for courses - personally, for a sporty choice id go along with the majority of the reviews and plump for the panda 100hp over the standard 500 1.4 every time. superb value for money too.

 

[Schwenck]

Car magazine also voted the 500 their car of the year and presumably felt the 500 was better in every other respect to the Panda

Er, I don't think that is necessarily correct...

Presumably as a derivative of the 2004 Panda, the 100HP wasn't even up for consideration as their Car Of The Year.

 

[ensonricky]

I was only referring to the review mentioned by Nuovoanda not the magazine's Car of The Year award, trying to be to economical with my typing.
I was just emphasising how impressed the magazine is with the overall package, see their original review and the award summary in the latest issue.
I would concede however that the 1.4 is the weakest variant in the 500 range and the one most closely challenged by the equivalently engined Panda.

 

[Schwenck]

...trying to be to economical with my typing...

See how easily misunderstandings arise?

Must admit I haven't read the CoTY article in the magazine so I'm not really qualified to comment; too tight to splash-out the price of a gallon of petrol on a magazine

 

[ensonricky]

I normally stand and read the magazines in Tesco while my wife does the shopping. I did however sneak this particular issue into the shopping basket.

 

[Schwenck]

I normally stand and read the magazines in Tesco while my wife does the shopping. I did however sneak this particular issue into the shopping basket.

It would be easier to smuggle yourself out of prison than get a magazine past my missus...

 

[gib1970]

has to be good old WH Smiths for the car mags - even if they all bound up in wrappers, there's usually at least one ripped open to peruse! been my best source of free mag reading for years and years

 

[Schwenck]

Been digging around and according to FIAT's spec sheets at launch the gear ratios in the 1.4 are identical to those I have for the 100HP. Annoyingly, FIAT have kept the all-important final drive ratio a secret for the 500 but Autocar's test implies it is exactly the same. The rolling circumference of the 500 is 1.84m compared to 1.76m for the 100HP, so slightly longer gearing. The 500 is quoted as 930kg, the 100HP as 975kg. It seems unlikely a 4% change in gearing could blunt the 0-60 time by full second, but combined with the different mapping and a slightly worse drag coefficient, I guess it's possible. Then again, what do I know!

The 1.2 is the old faithful 8 valve FIRE engine by the way, whatever you may read.

 

[ensonricky]

I believe the drag coefficient of the 500 is 0.32 and I would imagine that the Panda's is not as good due to the less slippery shape. The time difference therefore remains a mystery. Personaly I think nuovapanda was hiding behind the Panda with an industrial air blower.

 

[Schwenck]

Cd of 0.33 for the Panda 100HP according to one source, so a marginal advantage for the 500. I only assumed it was the other was round as the 500's top speed is 182kmh as apposed to 185kmh for the 100HP. I suppose that's what comes of me as a no-nothing Civil Engineer speculating as opposed to a mechanical engineer who actually understands it! Perhaps the 100HP was pointed down hill?

 

[Zakkala]

Thanks folks - interesting info.

Must admit, I've ordered a 500, and test drove a Panda 100hp to get an idea of how it might perform - loved the Panda, so just hope the 500 feels as good.

 

[Schwenck]

Thanks folks - interesting info.

Must admit, I've ordered a 500, and test drove a Panda 100hp to get an idea of how it might perform - loved the Panda, so just hope the 500 feels as good.

I'm sure you'd enjoy either just as much. Just be careful specifying the larger wheels

 

[Gofra]

I second that - wish you plenty of fun with your new car!

As for the comparison, its true, they both have the same engine, same transmission and even same brakes. I did however once read about the 500s compression ratio being slightly lower than the Pandas - could that be? Personaly, I think the info isnt correct - both cars achieve same power, same torque, with same rpm. - could someone confirm?

However, the 500 is a bit more economical (check the fuel consumption) which could be due to its shape. The thing I find the most surprising, is Pandas top speed. I would bet my right arm that the 500 is at least 5 km/h faster if I didnt know. Luckily, I didnt

Good luck with your car!