General How off road capable is the 4x4?

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General How off road capable is the 4x4?

ELL4EVER

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I've read many reviews and a couple of the few videos that can be found on YouTube but the written reviews very rarely go into detail about the limits of the Panda 4x4 and the videos are too short so I figured I may as well ask here.

I live out in the sticks in sunny old Shropshire. I love my fiat 500 but there are some places I just can't take it because the ride height is too low. If we have lots of snow at Christmas then I doubt it will be going anywhere.

Has anyone here tested their panda 4x4 to its limits?
 
I've read many reviews and a couple of the few videos that can be found on YouTube but the written reviews very rarely go into detail about the limits of the Panda 4x4 and the videos are too short so I figured I may as well ask here.

I live out in the sticks in sunny old Shropshire. I love my fiat 500 but there are some places I just can't take it because the ride height is too low. If we have lots of snow at Christmas then I doubt it will be going anywhere.

Has anyone here tested their panda 4x4 to its limits?

Have you seen this video?



He starts by explaining that the Panda 4x4 - this is a TwinAir - does not have to fit snow chains to go where they're obligatory for the majority of vehicles, then he shows the ELD operating round the car park, remarks on the low first gear, the benefits of low weight, and the necessity to keep up a constant speed under very slippery conditions, and points out that you'd need to do a high mileage to justify the diesel premium - remembering that diesel fuel's cheaper than petrol in Italy.
 
Have you seen this video?

Nuova Fiat Panda 4x4 TwinAir, la prova sulla neve - YouTube

He starts by explaining that the Panda 4x4 - this is a TwinAir - does not have to fit snow chains to go where they're obligatory for the majority of vehicles, then he shows the ELD operating round the car park, remarks on the low first gear, the benefits of low weight, and the necessity to keep up a constant speed under very slippery conditions, and points out that you'd need to do a high mileage to justify the diesel premium - remembering that diesel fuel's cheaper than petrol in Italy.

Thanks for the post, this video hadn't appeared on my YouTube search, probably because I'm using the mobile version :p

Most soft roaders are either alot more expensive than the panda 4x4 or cheaper and no where near as nice (dacia duster, suzuki jimny).
 
the older 2004-on Panda was a very capable off-roader.. no reason to think the "facelift" should be any worse,

Charlie - Shropshire born, Trailbike rider

Hasn't there been alot more changes for the 2012 model?
 
Thanks for the post, this video hadn't appeared on my YouTube search, probably because I'm using the mobile version :p

Most soft roaders are either alot more expensive than the panda 4x4 or cheaper and no where near as nice (dacia duster, suzuki jimny).

If you Google Panda 4x4 neve you get a load of Italian videos in the snow, mostly of previous models but with a few for the latest one.
 
I don't think there has been any significant change between the Panda Cross 4x4 drive train and the new Panda 4x4. I've had my Panda Cross for nearly five years now and have covered 160,000km in that time. I've used it in rural Norfolk on roads and tracks and as a vehicle for fieldwork all over the British isles and Europe. It's coped with everything I've needed including off road use along rutted tracks, across fields, over old stabilised mine tips etc. and taken me to some pretty inaccessible places. It's also been absolutely robust in the snow.

In my five years of ownership, apart from routine service items, I've had replaced the 4x4 electro-pneumatic valve (warranty in the first year), rear shock absorbers, all four drop links to the anti-roll bars, rear brake discs and front brake discs (really service items). I need to clean the EGR valve and the air mass flow controller. I get 55+ mpg.

I'm interested in replacing it with something slightly bigger. My only gripe with the Panda is limited luggage space but as I rarely travel with rear passengers it's not too great an issue. However, I suspect I'll probably replace it with the new Panda 4x4 but will wait a while yet as mine (touch wood) is running very smoothly and economically.
 
Youtube mobile player (depending on version) does not show the full title of the videos when reviewing search results, presumably to save screen space.

Once the video is actually playing you can see the full title when on full screen view.

This means that even if you search using the exact video title, and you do find it, you won't be sure until you actually select the first result on the search list and start viewing the video using "full screen" view.
 
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I don't think there has been any significant change between the Panda Cross 4x4 drive train and the new Panda 4x4. I've had my Panda Cross for nearly five years now and have covered 160,000km in that time. I've used it in rural Norfolk on roads and tracks and as a vehicle for fieldwork all over the British isles and Europe. It's coped with everything I've needed including off road use along rutted tracks, across fields, over old stabilised mine tips etc. and taken me to some pretty inaccessible places. It's also been absolutely robust in the snow.

In my five years of ownership, apart from routine service items, I've had replaced the 4x4 electro-pneumatic valve (warranty in the first year), rear shock absorbers, all four drop links to the anti-roll bars, rear brake discs and front brake discs (really service items). I need to clean the EGR valve and the air mass flow controller. I get 55+ mpg.

I'm interested in replacing it with something slightly bigger. My only gripe with the Panda is limited luggage space but as I rarely travel with rear passengers it's not too great an issue. However, I suspect I'll probably replace it with the new Panda 4x4 but will wait a while yet as mine (touch wood) is running very smoothly and economically.

I recommend the slide rear seat option then if you carry more stuff than people - its brilliant! :)
 
It should be noted that a panda 4x4 TA broke the record for cape town to London this year. Took it off a land rover discovery by a few days IIRC. So it must be pretty competent off road wouldn't you say?
 
Had it for a week and love the mental wee engine. Seeking country tracks to enjoy at every opportunity, but haven't yet found one rougher than the one up to our house. Used to creep up in 1st in the Panda "My Life", seeking the smoothest path, crossing from one side to the other, dodging the worst bits, but now I just stick it up there in 2nd in a somewhat cavalier manner - perhaps I'm being over confident, but it feels just great. On the country roads around here it really comes into its own, keeping it on the boil around 4K is just great fun, and it sounds like a motor cycle as well. It's all good.
 
Only negative for me so far is moving off from standstill, as 1st is ****e, but 2nd is OK in certain circumstances. Trying to move swiftly up through the gears exposes a considerable turbo lag. But I still love it and will learn to work around that.
 
I said s*it* or *h*t*, for clarity, but it seemingly asterisked me. I didn't know that was automatic.
 
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Apologies, I'm going to get banned from the site after one week, aren't I ?
 
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