General 2012 New Panda - all comments here please :)

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General 2012 New Panda - all comments here please :)

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The Alfa MiTo and Giuletta QV models are pretty smart, 170 and 240hp respectively. Not to mention the inevitable GTA models ;) But you'll be paying for the prestige-branded badge on those, of course...

Any particular cars you have in mind? The upcoming Toyota/Subaru FT-86 has me hoping Toyota will relive some of the glory days of the MR2, Supra and early Celicas. The hot-hatch Citroën DS3 is tasty with 150hp and I've heard rumors of a 200+hp rally-inspired model as well. And of course, you've got the Mini Coopers and the hot Renaults and so on.

Who says you can't buy fun cars anymore?

(Says the guy who's just bought a motorcycle because cars in his price range are all dull...)

Trouble is with the Mito, you can't turn off the ESP and from what I've read they don't cut it as drivers cars, so not exciting enough for me really.

I really want around 200bhp. 150bhp won't be enough really. DS3R is interesting. My favourite contender at the moment is the FD2 which is the JDM Civic Type-R in a 4 door saloon shell (youtube FD2 if you want to see what it is). That is 222bhp, but it's so rare I've yet to actually see one. Figuring that when I've paid my car off I can pick one up second hand for 14-15K.

FT-86 sounds good, but it's all speculation and I'll bet the top model doesn't come in at 18K (which would be my limit) but more like 20K+.
 
Personally I am looking forward to the Abarth coupe. There has been a rumour that it has been given the go ahead for 2012 but who knows. It will be based on the Abarth 500 platform (so Panda really) but a much lighter 2 seater.

Just a rumour. Seriously, by ripping out the backseat and making some sportier bodywork they're going to save sod all weight. I was wrong with the A500c so I could be wrong here and Fiat could build a car that's as good as a chocolate teapot in terms of dynamics.....
 
Just a rumour. Seriously, by ripping out the backseat and making some sportier bodywork they're going to save sod all weight. I was wrong with the A500c so I could be wrong here and Fiat could build a car that's as good as a chocolate teapot in terms of dynamics.....

Well according to last months Top Gear magazine the head of Abarth marketing has confirmed production set for 2012. Obviously that might still be BS but it does sound like its more than just a rumour.

I will hold off judgment until (or if) I see the finished product. However if the coupe is no faster than the standard Abarth 500 I cant see the point.
 
This may be old news, but (click to enlarge)...
fiat-panda-2010.jpg
That is so very ugly. (n)
 
Personally I am looking forward to the Abarth coupe. There has been a rumour that it has been given the go ahead for 2012 but who knows. It will be based on the Abarth 500 platform (so Panda really) but a much lighter 2 seater.

I think the problem might be the lack of sophistication in the chassis when it comes to putting pretty (and naturally more expensive) coupe bodyshells on the panda chassis. I guess we shall see, but I do do wonder how much it'd be parallel with the Mito.
 
I think the problem might be the lack of sophistication in the chassis when it comes to putting pretty (and naturally more expensive) coupe bodyshells on the panda chassis. I guess we shall see, but I do do wonder how much it'd be parallel with the Mito.

Yeah, it's going to be a laugh if they do try to make a coupe out of a no frills econobox chassis.
 
like most coupres are you mean?
Well most ****ty ones like Tigra's and Cougars and so on......

The Puma is proof that with a decent chassis you can make a decent coupe but there are most coupe's that have been tigra's than there have been Puma's......
 
right.

so what was the point you were trying to make?

I guess the worry is, is if the price point puts it up against some more expensive machinery with a more sophisticated chassis. Though, having said that Renault do amazing things with torsion beams, so it is definitely possible and yes, the Puma particularly in racing spec has a highly regarded chassis.

My worry though is that even in Abarth form the chassis (derived from the Panda) is not polished enough to compete with other similarly suspended cars. So I do wonder if an even higher priced 'coupe' is going to cut the mustard in that department. I guess we shall see.
 
I guess the worry is, is if the price point puts it up against some more expensive machinery with a more sophisticated chassis. Though, having said that Renault do amazing things with torsion beams, so it is definitely possible and yes, the Puma particularly in racing spec has a highly regarded chassis.

My worry though is that even in Abarth form the chassis (derived from the Panda) is not polished enough to compete with other similarly suspended cars. So I do wonder if an even higher priced 'coupe' is going to cut the mustard in that department. I guess we shall see.

Exactly..... and Fiat have never been class leaders in terms of handling either
 
Well amongst the rumours it was said the Abarth Coupe would be priced pretty cheaply. I think the plans were to price it the same as the 500 and just have the Coupe as a kind of 2 door version. Thats good news if you want to buy one but not good news if you wanted it to be a more expensive higher tuned and more powerfull 500.

Personally I dont think Fiats (or the ones ive had) handle THAT bad. Ok I dont do track days but the 100HP handles pretty well. I cant say anything about Abarths as I have never owned one. I would think that Abarths handled better with tuned suspension etc.

The Coupe should fill the role that was left by the Smart Roadster. I always liked the Roadster but that terrible gearbox put me off.
 
Well amongst the rumours it was said the Abarth Coupe would be priced pretty cheaply. I think the plans were to price it the same as the 500 and just have the Coupe as a kind of 2 door version. Thats good news if you want to buy one but not good news if you wanted it to be a more expensive higher tuned and more powerfull 500.

Personally I dont think Fiats (or the ones ive had) handle THAT bad. Ok I dont do track days but the 100HP handles pretty well. I cant say anything about Abarths as I have never owned one. I would think that Abarths handled better with tuned suspension etc.

The Coupe should fill the role that was left by the Smart Roadster. I always liked the Roadster but that terrible gearbox put me off.

The 100hp handles well for the pricepoint it live in. EVO really rate it and said it was the most fun you could have with a new car under 10k. But let's face it, if you want to spend more you'll get something better :)
 
The 100hp handles well for the pricepoint it live in. EVO really rate it and said it was the most fun you could have with a new car under 10k. But let's face it, if you want to spend more you'll get something better :)

Well I want to have a turbo next time and I really do like the Abarth 500. However by the time I come to buy (about another 4 or 5 years) the 500 would have been updated. It will also have a new engine or even several engine choices so I will have to see at the time. I do like the look of the Abarth Coupe though and really do fancy buying one. Thats if its any good or even released of course. As I said I liked the Smart Roadster but theres no way I could put up with that gearbox.
 
Well I want to have a turbo next time and I really do like the Abarth 500. However by the time I come to buy (about another 4 or 5 years) the 500 would have been updated. It will also have a new engine or even several engine choices so I will have to see at the time. I do like the look of the Abarth Coupe though and really do fancy buying one. Thats if its any good or even released of course. As I said I liked the Smart Roadster but theres no way I could put up with that gearbox.

The pictures are just bad Auto Express photoshops, please don't place any faith in them whatsoever.

The Abarth 500 is always outgunned in its price range, you can go on about the cute looks and charm all you want but when the competition has more power and handles better who cares! :)
 
The pictures are just bad Auto Express photoshops, please don't place any faith in them whatsoever.

The Abarth 500 is always outgunned in its price range, you can go on about the cute looks and charm all you want but when the competition has more power and handles better who cares! :)

Well in terms of power all Fiats and Abarths just get blown away by the competition. If I bought second hand next time I could vastly improve my choices. However I have loved the new car experience and want new again next time.

Obviously in 4 or 5 years time there will be a new cop of cars to choose from. At the moment though nothing else interests me. The current crop of sporty Renaults are highly praised and very quick. But I cant stand the styling of any of them and couldnt live with one. The Suzuki Swift sport is a good car but I think it looks boring. The Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart is very fast but very ugly and the interior is horrendous. The VW Polo GTI (and all Seat and Skoda variants) once again dont appeal to me and the Golf is too expensive. The Corsa VXR is very powerfull and quick but its way too chavy. Alfa Romeos always look pretty but I think they are too expensive and not powerfull enough for the money. I am very picky with my cars and at the moment only the Abarth 500 (I dont like the Abarth Punto Evo either) appeals to me. I like the styling and the exclusivity and history of the brand.

I do love the DS3 Racing its amazing. But I think I am right in saying that its a limited edition and very expensive

It doesnt matter at the moment as I am keeping the 100HP. But like I said originally its highly unlikely that I will buy another Panda or another Fiat.
 
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I aslo think it will be at least 2012 before we see a model update. I am currently trying to get a new MJ, but the options are limited as the dealers will no longer take a new order, only whats on the production line. We all know the MJ is not Euro V compliant but there is rumour in the Italian press one will be released with DPF.
Looking around for other it makes this is also common place very few 5 door small diesel cars are going to make the 1st Jan dealine. The skoda fabia diesel is nearest I can get at sub 10k price. I also thought the 100hp was a fair bit of output for a 1.4 litre, but Skodas VRS is 1.4 and chucks out 178hp using a supercharger and turbo, mind you the cars are not exactly lightweight.
It is a shame as the Panda has and is selling well, and would do better in January when VAT and consequently fuel go up yet again. I do sometimes wonder at Fiats commercial ability at times.
 
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