Just found out on the Belgian Fiat website: Fiat Panda Cross TA
- 90 HP (66 KW) at 5500 rpm
- 77,5 HP (57 KW) at 5500 rmp in eco mode...

https://www.fiat.be/nl/panda/panda-cross/motoren

Haven't seen this info appear before on their website, I suspect it might be caused by the new emission testing going on right now.

The Belgian page appears to suggest the Multijet 95 now tested under the new rules. Average economy fallen to 62 mpg from 64.2 and C02 risen from 117 to 119. And Carbuyer website suggests the Panda TA FWD not available at the moment. Maybe they're testing it.

Panda TA for sure is being tested, that is the reason delivery of my Cross is already about a month overdue.

Garage told me to expect about 20g CO² more under the new test conditions, delivery (now) expected "somewhere in September".

I use Eco mode when im not in an hurry, and when there is a lot of traffic.

I always thought that in eco mode works with the twin-air system.
Ignition timing, injection timing and when and ho long the valves stay open, along with a slow throttle response, makes the car more fuel efficient (and slow).

Al D said:

The Belgian page appears to suggest the Multijet 95 now tested under the new rules. Average economy fallen to 62 mpg from 64.2 and C02 risen from 117 to 119. And Carbuyer website suggests the Panda TA FWD not available at the moment. Maybe they're testing it.

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The same figures (for the MJ Cross) are shown on the UK site too.

Because the Cross is heavier (mainly all that extra external trim) and has larger (wider) tyres than the 'regular' 4x4 the economy and CO2 figures are slightly worse than those shown for the 4x4 ... 119 vs 117 CO2 g/km and 62 vs 64 mpg. The Cross also is shown taking a moment longer to 60mph (12.7 vs 12.5 seconds)

perelaar said:

Just found out on the Belgian Fiat website: Fiat Panda Cross TA
- 90 HP (66 KW) at 5500 rpm
- 77,5 HP (57 KW) at 5500 rmp in eco mode...

https://www.fiat.be/nl/panda/panda-cross/motoren

Haven't seen this info appear before on their website, I suspect it might be caused by the new emission testing going on right now.

Click to expand...

Those same figures are shown in the vehicle handbook with my car, the book is dated June 2017 (although my car was new in July 2018), so I don't think anything has changed,

Baguette said:

I use Eco mode when im not in an hurry, and when there is a lot of traffic.

I always thought that in eco mode works with the twin-air system.
Ignition timing, injection timing and when and ho long the valves stay open, along with a slow throttle response, makes the car more fuel efficient (and slow).

Click to expand...

Cant agree Eco mode makes it more economical, just different. I do agree with the conclusion that it affects the multi-air rather than anything else as the change is so instant its certainly not the turbo circuit. I find driving more gently in power setting is as good or better than using eco mode. It does help stop you driving it as fast though!

My 40 mile journey this morning, mostly with the eco button on suggests it may have done it on 3 litres or so, a little better than 40mpg. Average for the tankful was 35mpg with calculator. Nursing the car raised the fuel range from 58 miles last night to over 100. Normally it drops like a skier off a cliff, so it could maybe save a gallon of fuel over a tank. Pete is right, think a dozen horses went for a nap.

We recently bought a 2017 Panda 4x4 and I have just came across this thread. I had puzzled about the eco and eld settings - the handbook is just about useless.

We have had the car set to eld - that is what it was when we bought it from a Fiat dealer. We are presently getting only very slightly over 30 mpg! I am noted for my light right foot and have been capable of getting very good consumption rates in all the other cars I have had. My wife tends not to change up a gear as often as she might, but, at 70, she is no boy racer.

Where are we going wrong? From the earlier contributions, it does not seem that driving in eco will make a massive difference. The Panda has done just over 5K miles.

ELD should under normal circumstances be off all the time, the drive to the rear will cut in automatically under the right conditions, it only operates below ( I think ) 30 kph anyway.
If you encounter slippy conditions, or are driving off road in conditions where you feel all wheel drive would be needed then you can engage it manually.
But remember that it only operates up to 30kph, ie in conditions where you would be driving gingerly anyway.
Eco I leave off always, the most economical way to drive the twinair is a light right foot and understanding the engine and gear ratios.

gullyfoyle said:

ELD should under normal circumstances be off all the time, the drive to the rear will cut in automatically under the right conditions, it only operates below ( I think ) 30 kph anyway.
If you encounter slippy conditions, or are driving off road in conditions where you feel all wheel drive would be needed then you can engage it manually.
But remember that it only operates up to 30kph, ie in conditions where you would be driving gingerly anyway.
Eco I leave off always, the most economical way to drive the twinair is a light right foot and understanding the engine and gear ratios.

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Just noticed your wife is 70 and no boy racer, mine is both, we get around 41.5
Average over the last three years but that is dented considerably by the wife’s driving?

Mervington said:

We recently bought a 2017 Panda 4x4 and I have just came across this thread. I had puzzled about the eco and eld settings - the handbook is just about useless.

We have had the car set to eld - that is what it was when we bought it from a Fiat dealer. We are presently getting only very slightly over 30 mpg! I am noted for my light right foot and have been capable of getting very good consumption rates in all the other cars I have had. My wife tends not to change up a gear as often as she might, but, at 70, she is no boy racer.

Where are we going wrong? From the earlier contributions, it does not seem that driving in eco will make a massive difference. The Panda has done just over 5K miles.

Click to expand...

ELD should under normal circumstances be off all the time, the drive to the rear will cut in automatically under the right conditions, it only operates below ( I think ) 30 kph anyway.
If you encounter slippy conditions, or are driving off road in conditions where you feel all wheel drive would be needed then you can engage it manually.
But remember that it only operates up to 30kph, ie in conditions where you would be driving gingerly anyway.
Eco I leave off always, the most economical way to drive the twinair is a light right foot and understanding the engine and gear ratios.

Many thanks for that advice. If I see a Panda whizzing past me, perhaps it may be your wife.

gullyfoyle said:

Just noticed your wife is 70 and no boy racer, mine is both, we get around 41.5
Average over the last three years but that is dented considerably by the wife’s driving?

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My experience over 2.5 years is very similar. 35-50 but averaging about 38. The car uses less fuel when driven less than very gently. A careful right foot but totally a light one seems best. Driven full tilt it does 41mpg so it seems just avoid going mad and you will probably get the best. I suppose this sort of mpg for an 56-90 hp car with 4x4 is probably about what one could reasonably expect, it just seems bad compared to the last years published economy figures, and disappointing for a small car.

Mervington said:

We recently bought a 2017 Panda 4x4 and I have just came across this thread. I had puzzled about the eco and eld settings - the handbook is just about useless.

We have had the car set to eld - that is what it was when we bought it from a Fiat dealer. We are presently getting only very slightly over 30 mpg! I am noted for my light right foot and have been capable of getting very good consumption rates in all the other cars I have had. My wife tends not to change up a gear as often as she might, but, at 70, she is no boy racer.

Where are we going wrong? From the earlier contributions, it does not seem that driving in eco will make a massive difference. The Panda has done just over 5K miles.

Click to expand...

ELD on is really only for extreme situations. Its not appropriate on the road as it disconnects the ASR (traction control) and I think it also disconnects the ESP wich are both good sound on road safety systems that you want working on the road. If you can beat the 4x4 system in normal driving I would be surprised. ELD activated a programme in the ECU that uses the brakes to prevent wheel slip. This again is not appropriate for normal driving. Use the ELD if you are really worried about getting stuck in extreme conditions, it will give you reassurance that you will get through very slippery situations. Crossing rivers, climbing Alps towing elephants out of wadis, towing ships up slipways etc!!! Whatever you do though have fun!!!

Fiat's latest claims for the 4x4 TA are about 37mpg... much less than the original claim of 60+. Be guided by the 'shift' light that tries to tell you when best to change gear: max torque is at 1900rpm so don't need to go much over above that in normal driving.

ELD (electronic locking differential) only needed in situations where one wheel lifts off the ground or is on something more slippery than the other three. Using it on the road can damage tyres and the 4x4 system - so (as others have now said), leave that turned off.

I am very grateful to both of you for the further advice. If the handbook didn't spend so much time explaining what must be basic/obvious to just about anyone, it might be rather more helpful!

I hadn't noticed the shift light, but I'll look for it. I've always been a believer in relating to the best torque figures. I have noticed a willingness for it to 'go' at relatively low revs.

Thanks again.

Mervington said:

I hadn't noticed the shift light, but I'll look for it. I've always been a believer in relating to the best torque figures. I.

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It appears under the thermometer on the digital display - the word 'Shift' and an arrow pointing up or down, depending on which gear it thinks you need.

it will come on at lower revs if the engine is not under load, and can go off if you accelerate harder. Of course, it can't see the road ahead and may tell you to shift up just as you're approaching a hill... but generally, on flattish roads and normal driving it seems to be about right (on my MultiJet at least)

Herts Hillhopper said:

It appears under the thermometer on the digital display - the word 'Shift' and an arrow pointing up or down, depending on which gear it thinks you need.

it will come on at lower revs if the engine is not under load, and can go off if you accelerate harder. Of course, it can't see the road ahead and may tell you to shift up just as you're approaching a hill... but generally, on flattish roads and normal driving it seems to be about right (on my MultiJet at least)

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Many thanks for that.

I was driving the Panda this morning, but looking at the dash while driving - when you don't nowhere you should be looking - is not a good idea.

I shall look properly when out next time. I hope that I don't have to have a petrol bowser following us!

You can see it here, in the centre of this image from the car's instruction book... only one arrow will appear at a time (page 37 of the book, and the RHD version from the very back of the book, which shows the symbols in slightly different places for some reason!)
Incidentally, if you press the 'trip' bottom on the end of the wiper stalk, you can scroll through various bits of info that get shown on the top line (where the date is in the image below). One is instantaneous fuel consumption which will show you when the car is using the fuel most.