I've been exercising the little grey cells:

We've speculated at length as to whether or not the Cross has a viscous coupling, and more recently seen ads for the Panda Adventure that refer to electronic 4x4 selection....

Well, the answer has unwittingly been presented to us via the most recent 'which oil' thread (https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-new/202794-oil-fiat-dealer.html?p=2173137) -- where a link is provided to the online PDF handbooks, including the supplement for the latest 4x4 models. (http://aftersales.fiat.com/elum/mai...44&valID=2000900&prodID=169000000&isExaminer=)

There it says:
"The Fiat Panda 4 x 4 has a transmission system comprising two differentials and an electronically controlled coupling. Thanks to this system, under poor grip conditions the four-wheel drive will engage automatically..." with no mention of a viscous coupling.

This is repeated on p16, under 'Drive': "4 x 4 switched on automatically via the electronically controlled coupling and two differentials"

There does seem to be a left-over mention of viscous couplings from an older manual on the tyre pressures page though... but then the same manual (in English) has a random section in French when it comes to ESP, which suggests to me that the proof reading isn't too clever.

And another curious thing (which may be why snow chains fit the 185/65R14 wheels on the Cross but not the Climbing), the front track is wider by 21mm on the Cross (and the turning circle is larger too). This suggests that in gaining 11mm or so of extra ground clearance, the Cross has different parts in the suspension too (lower arms, maybe, possibly to correct for a change in the caster angle caused by increasing the strut length?)

Now, pass me my anorak!

And, how about this?? Panda Cross, petrol/methane powered, but (apparently) only 2 wheel drive? See the diagrams on page 6 of the PDF here-- the tanks are clearly where the rear diff and propshaft would be on the 4x4:
http://aftersales.fiat.com/elum/mai...44&valID=2000900&prodID=169000000&isExaminer=

I wonder why they went to the trouble of translating that into english. It is only specific parts of Italy that you can get the natural gas/methane mix.

The normal natural power Pandas and natural power with 4x4 styling are very popular around here especially as there is a 6000EUR government incentive on them at the moment.

Not seen a natural power Cross yet though. It seems to run on 175 tyres so should be easy to spot.



I would think the reduced turning circle is down to the bigger tyres. If the bottom arms were different and the track actually wider I would have though the turning circle would be the same.