Just popped into Vospers in Exeter to look at the new Panda in the metal. Hmm. I know a new look takes some getting used to and might improve with familiarity, but this not really a new look so I don't think that's a factor. Have to say I think it's a mess; (all this in my opinion) the exterior is bitty with poorly co-ordinated details, especially at the front, the Dan Dare chin is just ugly, and there's a generally fussy look that I find unappealing; the fenders on the doors are also particularly ugly; the interior is better than I expected - I don't like gimmicky shapes on dashboards but the squircle was not as obtrusive as I feared, however, I would prefer instruments and bezels to be round and the whole effect to be less fussy (again); not sure about the coloured panel in the fascia either - not clear to me which model/s have it which don't. The pricing looks highly optimistic to me.

Can't see myself buying one and, if there is a quicker variant at some time, I hope they'll simplify the front end and the dash.

Fair enough - I don't necessarily agree with you but I respect the fact you have listed all the things you don't like about rather than just say it's crap!

Although I've bought one, I must say I'm not overly struck by the handbrake. It looks pretty stupid to me and will need a bit of getting used to (the button is on the side rather than on the top of the handbrake). Whoever from Fiat thought it doubled up as an armrest is really havin' a larf!

Re pricing - I agree that the basic Pop model does look overpriced. When you look at the standard equipment it has, you don't appear to get much for £8900. Likewise I don't think the Lounge has quite enough standard kit either for a top-of-the-range model. But on the other hand I suppose it has to fit in somewhere below the 500 and Punto in the current line-up, and on that basis the pricing seems realistic enough.

Other than that I do feel Fiat have done a good job. It remains to be seen whether people really do take to the novelty of the squircle, "smiley" front etc (Fiat's words in the brochure, not mine!), but I think it has a decent chance of doing well.

I don't necessarily expect my opinions to mean the new Panda doesn't outsell the old one - in the UK at any rate as it would be difficult in Italy, where the outgoing model is just everywhere - in fact (as a Fiat and Alfa owner for almost fifty years) I hope they sell well but I have my doubts. My immediate reaction on the looks was that it has a Japanese air about it - an unsure touch on the details making it look like a Nissan. There was a red Lounge TwinAir with a price tag of 12,500-odd quid in the showroom, which just seemed a ludicrous sum and some of the various options and option packs are pretty steep, I think. A TwinAir Easy with "essential" options is over 12 grand - for the similarly-equipped 100HP new in October 2008 I actually paid 7500. There seems no doubt that - apart from the extra weight - the driving experience is improved - let's hope enough people get to the stage of trying it. to be swayed by that.

Hmm. I can see why it appears fussy, compared to the older Panda it is fussy, but i think/hope it'll grow on you. I find the Squircle theme outside & in helps unify the design & the little touches like 'Panda' written in the rear lights show Fiat is keen to push Panda as a brand & not just let the 500 have all the limelight.

I've not driven one yet but if it's better than the previous one it'll be an absolute riot because that one's far better for driving & refinement than you could ever expect a car of that catergory to be. The 1.2 Dynamic's i've had as courtesy cars are quieter on the Motorway than my diesel Stilo

The interior seems to move the game on abit & re-creating the 'shelf' infront of the passenger is a canny (if not overly obvious) hark back to the original Panda.

My main concerns is that they've not made the most they could've out of the rear cabin space & don't follow with Fiats usual tradition of offering equipment as standard that others require you to add as options. The Pop model is basic for the price. The price seems ok in isolation but because rivals appear (if reviews are to be believed) to do more for less cost, Fiat might have to permanently keep its £500 deposit contribution offer in order to keep sales reasonable. The Easy seems to represent decent value for money but the Lounge really should have split rear seats & Blue&Me and/or side airbags as standard.

The new Panda deserves to do well as i really believe it's a better all-rounder than many of it's rivals & the only one that comes close on charm is the new Picanto. It's just unfortunate that the new and previous Panda's best feature is how it drives - given its slightly boxy looks it's unlikely to appeal en-mass to the sorts of people who really appreciate a keen drive.

Liam

I was disappointed after expecting so much.

JTD_Liam said:

Hmm. I can see why it appears fussy, compared to the older Panda it is fussy, but i think/hope it'll grow on you. I find the Squircle theme outside & in helps unify the design & the little touches like 'Panda' written in the rear lights show Fiat is keen to push Panda as a brand & not just let the 500 have all the limelight.

I've not driven one yet but if it's better than the previous one it'll be an absolute riot because that one's far better for driving & refinement than you could ever expect a car of that catergory to be. The 1.2 Dynamic's i've had as courtesy cars are quieter on the Motorway than my diesel Stilo

The interior seems to move the game on abit & re-creating the 'shelf' infront of the passenger is a canny (if not overly obvious) hark back to the original Panda.

My main concerns is that they've not made the most they could've out of the rear cabin space & don't follow with Fiats usual tradition of offering equipment as standard that others require you to add as options. The Pop model is basic for the price. The price seems ok in isolation but because rivals appear (if reviews are to be believed) to do more for less cost, Fiat might have to permanently keep its £500 deposit contribution offer in order to keep sales reasonable. The Easy seems to represent decent value for money but the Lounge really should have split rear seats & Blue&Me and/or side airbags as standard.

The new Panda deserves to do well as i really believe it's a better all-rounder than many of it's rivals & the only one that comes close on charm is the new Picanto. It's just unfortunate that the new and previous Panda's best feature is how it drives - given its slightly boxy looks it's unlikely to appeal en-mass to the sorts of people who really appreciate a keen drive.

Liam

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This is very true regarding equipment. What I would say though is that from my personal experience a significant number of the £50 options are up for negotiation. I got the height adjustable seat, cargo box and Comfort pack for free - my argument with the first and third items was that I wasn't going to pay for items that were standard on my base 500, which was perfectly reasonable.

I think Fiat are probably hoping that people don't bother to haggle and will make that extra bit of profit on options that they can discount for others who try and negotiate.

The new panda has a weird look. You can see that looks like the old one but is more round and with a more upmarket feel
I do however think is overpriced for what it is
And to many optional that really should be standard (split rear seat cmon fiat!!)
But looks good (too girly i think) and is well put togheter specially the interior
The dash is fantastic and much better than rival models (look at vw up dash CRAP!)
Fiat as really put cutting edge technology on new engines and stepped forward with reliability and cars which are more refined
People that criticise fiat and alfa product everyday and keep going on about the germans been better cars should really drive a smart car, vw up, merc a class, vw golf etc etc and be anonymous with a car that is anonymous with an anonymous interior...
Fiat are not cars for anonymous people

Had a good poke around a couple of new Pandas at a dealership the other day and came away impressed. Seems to me to be just like the current panda but a bit bigger and better, which is exactly what Fiat intended I should imagine.

There is only one area where it is trumped by the 'old' Panda and that is the cute, utilitarian looks of the previous gen. But you can't have everything can you!

I agree prices do seem a bit steep, best wait a year or so and hopefully there will be some deals about.

Btw we turned down the salesman's kind offer of a test drive because he stank of drink and was full of the usual salesman's crap. I wasn't in the mood to be driven round by a pushy gob****e with a hangover.

It's the 4x4 I'm waiting for as I think Fiat might de-clutter the look of the front and the bulkier overall look will suit it better.

babbo_umbro said:

It's the 4x4 I'm waiting for as I think Fiat might de-clutter the look of the front and the bulkier overall look will suit it better.

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hopefully the bring a 100HP replacment out? The 1.4 135MA engine would do well in a panda.

1.8Stilo said:

hopefully the bring a 100HP replacment out? The 1.4 135MA engine would do well in a panda.

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Couldn't agree more, but I have a feeling that Fiat won't import such a Panda into the UK when they'd rather push buyers up-market (or up-price-tag) to a 500. On reflection, Fiat was always going to lose interest in the 100HP Panda as soon as the 500 Abarth established itself - they'd have to sell several 100HPs to make the profit on a single 500 Abarth while diluting their sales and marketing efforts at the same time.

babbo_umbro said:

Couldn't agree more, but I have a feeling that Fiat won't import such a Panda into the UK when they'd rather push buyers up-market (or up-price-tag) to a 500. On reflection, Fiat was always going to lose interest in the 100HP Panda as soon as the 500 Abarth established itself - they'd have to sell several 100HPs to make the profit on a single 500 Abarth while diluting their sales and marketing efforts at the same time.

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An Abarth Panda wouldn't do any harm though, would it? They can't keep plodding on with a 2-model Abarth line-up aswell as a 2-model Alfa line-up, surely?