I like it and I will be interested in buying one to run alongside our existing car
However, how much is 'new' and how much is simply 'restyled'?
I don't imagine that it's just a facelift. The floorpan is longer for starters.
General 2012 New Panda - all comments here please :)
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General 2012 New Panda - all comments here please :)
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I don't imagine that it's just a facelift. The floorpan is longer for starters.
Depends what you mean LMR, things like steering rack, brakes, etc are pretty well shared across the whole range so I wouldn't expect any of them to be brand new, never used before items. We know the engines are now well tested across the 500 and Grande/Punto Evo range so really all it is is an exercise in restyling and building a new chassis, imo all the mechanicals and electrics will be fairly standard Fiat fare ... and won't break on a daily basis 
minardirule
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Looks good to me in fact I think the overall impression is improving the more pictures I see, now we need to see what the 4x4 and 100HP replacement will look like.
Not sure if all variants will be at Frankfurt for the launch? I would imagine not to prolong the press interest with individual launches but we can always hope?
Not sure if all variants will be at Frankfurt for the launch? I would imagine not to prolong the press interest with individual launches but we can always hope?
I love the artists impression drawing of the blue Panda. I also like the interior it looks really good. Personally though I am thinking about the next 100HP (if they make one) and wonder what the new Panda would like like with a sporty bodykit and interior.
That looks good. I do love the current Panda, but the new one appears to keep the traditional square look whilst rounding a few bits off & giving it abit more street-cred.
The interior looks like a massive leap forward, loving the squares theme & the fact that the material quality looks much better.
If the Italian factory cocks it up like their counterparts have with the Grande Punto then i'd just move production back abroad & shut down the Italian factory. It'd be a huge waste of money after the recent investment, but there's no time for all this striking & millitant behaviour anymore. They either want a job or they don't & Sergio has taken a big risk entrusting the Naples factory to take over Panda Production from Poland. They should be grateful for it.
The interior looks like a massive leap forward, loving the squares theme & the fact that the material quality looks much better.
If the Italian factory cocks it up like their counterparts have with the Grande Punto then i'd just move production back abroad & shut down the Italian factory. It'd be a huge waste of money after the recent investment, but there's no time for all this striking & millitant behaviour anymore. They either want a job or they don't & Sergio has taken a big risk entrusting the Naples factory to take over Panda Production from Poland. They should be grateful for it.
Having seen those shots of the interior, I think that Fiat have done a really good job. They've managed to keep the boxy nature of the Panda with modern styling; as others have said, the quality of the materials does appear to be good.
This car has a decent chance IMO of appealing to other drivers who would not normally go anywhere near a Fiat.
Will also be interesting to see what the prices will be; all very well having a nicer car of course, but fingers crossed it will indeed be priced realistically.
This car has a decent chance IMO of appealing to other drivers who would not normally go anywhere near a Fiat.
Will also be interesting to see what the prices will be; all very well having a nicer car of course, but fingers crossed it will indeed be priced realistically.
Thunderbug
Established member
The front looks like the old shape "Corsa" & the rear looks like an old "Clio", but i'll give it the up.. If they make an 100HP or over i'll get one.
up.. If they make an 100HP or over i'll get one.
Have to say i don't get either the Corsa or Clio references at all. There will be a 100hp type version, but it'll have a twinair 105bhp engine. Could potentially be an Abarth but who knows.The front looks like the old shape "Corsa" & the rear looks like an old "Clio", but i'll give it the
I think it looks rather good! I just hope that they do an Abarth version and a 4x4 version… or even better a 4x4 Abarth version… well I can dream cant I?!
smart examiner
New member
This weeks Autocar says the new Panda should be on sale in April 2012.
It says it will have the TA engine in the line up and also a 105 BHP TA in the Abarth version. I guess this will be the new 100 HP by another name.
They also hint at the Topolino for 2014,but no mention of engines etc.
It says it will have the TA engine in the line up and also a 105 BHP TA in the Abarth version. I guess this will be the new 100 HP by another name.
They also hint at the Topolino for 2014,but no mention of engines etc.
I'm sorry, but rags like Autocar and Autoexpress are as reliable as a politicians memory. I very much doubt a twinair 105 engined Panda would be called an Abarth.
The topolino would have the twinair engines, though possibly not the 105bhp one.
smart examiner
New member
I agree with you, most times you can take what Newspapers/Mags say with a pinch of salt.( Don't mention News of the World) Lol
Most times Autocar does seem to be spot on with new car news,if slightly out on the release dates. I have heard that there could be an Abarth version of the Panda this time,but who knows when,and who knows which engine it will have?
Well unless Abarth have confirmed a Panda Abarth I doubt it. Tbh I can't see there being an Abarth Panda. There is no need with the Abarth 500 already being there.
babbo_umbro
Established member
Not so sure. Until affected by the impending model update, the Panda was still a much bigger seller than the 500. If they manage to differentiate the 500 and the Panda a bit more clearly, in terms of size/carrying capacity rather than price, they might think that a Panda Abarth could be aiming at a separate enough customer from a 500 Abarth and it would offer a much better margin than a more basic Panda - as the 100HP did. I suspect that the 500 is going to give real problems when they attempt to update it - how do you update retro? More retro or less retro? Or add some chrome? I'd have thought that leaving the 500 unchanged for too many more years is going to see sales drop off badly as it's very much a style buy. (We have a friend who's daughter gained considerable kudos amongst her young set when she had the first 500 in Spoleto but that can only last so long.) The VW Beetle never really crawled out of its niche.
But the VW was uber tacky. I'll admit that the 500 could be considered tacky, but IMHO it's the best of the retro bunch.....
babbo_umbro
Established member
I agree (!), but just this once I'm not really having a go at the 500 and its retro-ness - I'm surmising - hoping I suppose - that that aspect of its appeal makes it more likely that there'll be a Panda Abarth.
smart examiner
New member
The BMW MINI (another retro car)has had a few updates,but mostly it is the same car,just a few minor changes to the lights and speedo etc.
I think instead of a 100 HP this time,the new Hot Panda will be called the Abarth.Infact the 100 HP was the hot version of the Panda,just the same as the Abarth is the hot version of the 500,so it makes sense to give both of them the same name.
As for cars giving you kudos.I used to work at the Airport,and all the Female flight crews had new BMW Minis.The staff car park looked like a Mini showroom.Most of the girls had a major worry each month if they could meet the payments on the car. So much for kudos,more like a big headache lol.
I think people are getting confused here. Abarth isn't just a badge and body skirts. It's a brand, a separate company infact.
You can't by an Abarth from Fiat, you buy it from Abarth.
You can't by an Abarth from Fiat, you buy it from Abarth.
smart examiner
New member
I see what you are saying,but i think Fiat are the parent company who owns Abarth. If you go into the London flagship showroom the Abarth and Fiats are in the same showroom,and i am sure you payment goes through the same company.
It is the same with the Mini,owned by BMW and in side by side showrooms. The same also with Smart in shared showrooms with Mercedes,and when you purchase a Smart you get the bill from Mercedes
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