here's an interesting read - evo comparing their long term panda 100 with the new 500 with the same engine.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evolongtermtests/210763/fiat_panda_100hp.html

been curious as to how they would compare, bearing in mind the same engine, gearbox etc - and according to this one, the 100hp comes out clearly on top!

great news - personally i dont like the styling of the 500 anyway so would never have had to worry about justifying paying the inflated price for a panda with different clothes...but now that (probably abarth 500 excluded) it isnt even a good drive there's no merit in even considering it.


...mind you, im sure it'll still sell shed-loads lol

oops, sorry for multiple post

I have seen both in the flesh and the funny thing is that despite being on the same platform and the same engine there is a difference in the ECU's. The new 500 ECU we can map easily, but the Panda 100 creates still a lot of problems.

interesting...i just wish fiat would give us the tjet version of the 1.4 in the panda - then im sure you'd have a lot more fun and scope with the re-mapping

personally i like the look of the 500, and i think the abarth 180 model will be stunning. i'd say the 1.4 will be a very popular choice of engine for this very popular car. does it have a sport button though?

It does indeed.

I dont rate or like the look of the new 500 ..much prefer the panda ..I would even go as far as saying the original is a better looking car than the new one

Oldschool said:

I have seen both in the flesh and the funny thing is that despite being on the same platform and the same engine there is a difference in the ECU's. The new 500 ECU we can map easily, but the Panda 100 creates still a lot of problems.

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could you fit the 500 ecu into the panda?

interesting test, have to say I prefer the interior of the 500 and the ones Ive seen havent been made any worse than the Pandas. TBH I always liked the Pandas earlier interiors with light grey dash and darker inlets... the new 07 ones look a bit naff to me.
Look forward to trying one out in January and comparing it to a Panda 1.2 that I had.

toad101 said:

could you fit the 500 ecu into the panda?

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The very same thought crossed my mind and I am looking into it. But knowing my luck by the time we have everything sorted the save communication with the Panda ECU will be established and the easier route.

gib1970 said:

interesting...i just wish fiat would give us the tjet version of the 1.4 in the panda - then im sure you'd have a lot more fun and scope with the re-mapping

Click to expand...

It will come.

So if the 500's ECU was in the Panda, what sort of power could you get from a remap?

Oldschool said:

It will come.

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are you saying the 1.4 tjet will appear in the panda?

I'd have thought all changes to the panda have been made, all area's from the 4x4 to the 100hp are covered now so i'd be suprised if there will be anymore significant changes until this model runs out.. could be wrong!

I love the interior of the 500, not so taken on the looks but can't wait to see the Abarth.. hopefully all the best bits chassis wise from the 100hp but a fair bit quicker!

pandamonium24 said:

I'd have thought all changes to the panda have been made, all area's from the 4x4 to the 100hp are covered now so i'd be suprised if there will be anymore significant changes until this model runs out.. could be wrong!

I love the interior of the 500, not so taken on the looks but can't wait to see the Abarth.. hopefully all the best bits chassis wise from the 100hp but a fair bit quicker!

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i agree that most bases are covered with the panda range but even the 100hp, while a great handling fun car, isnt exactly that rapid and there's definitely a gap for something in the 120bhp range to compete with the myriad of hatches around that power and to take the 0-60 down to the mid to low 8's.

for me, shoehorning the 1.4tjet into the panda would be a no-brainer for fiat and a boost to the range in the 2nd half of 2008 - especially with the upcoming new cars and revisions to existing models from competitors next year. their own 500 will be targeted one more step-up, and more style led - selling a 120bhp tjet 1.4 panda for, say, £11500 list price or similar (around 9.5 to 10k after the usual discounting) would be my best guess (and hope!!!)

gib1970 said:

i agree that most bases are covered with the panda range but even the 100hp, while a great handling fun car, isnt exactly that rapid and there's definitely a gap for something in the 120bhp range to compete with the myriad of hatches around that power and to take the 0-60 down to the mid to low 8's.

for me, shoehorning the 1.4tjet into the panda would be a no-brainer for fiat and a boost to the range in the 2nd half of 2008 - especially with the upcoming new cars and revisions to existing models from competitors next year. their own 500 will be targeted one more step-up, and more style led - selling a 120bhp tjet 1.4 panda for, say, £11500 list price or similar (around 9.5 to 10k after the usual discounting) would be my best guess (and hope!!!)

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why you say no-brainer... do you mean its an obvious no way? its making the car too expensive. who would pay that much for a panda? its grande punto sporting territory, not to mention others like the mini. fiat wouldn't sell many to make it worthwhile. maybe if the 100hp sold really well... but i dont think so.