General 500 first drives

[tompom]

Hi,

I've just joined the forum as I've just got into the whole world of 500ing, having spent some time driving the new car.

I think it's one of the worst riding cars I've ever driven, and it doesn't handle that well at all. However, this also makes it massively endearing. While it's not the most sophisticated or even pleasurable thing to drive, it has so many more layers, most of them fun, which mean you are left with a smile on your face every time you drive it.

 

[Venters]

I actually found the handling very good. Almost on par with the Panda 100HP.
The ex rally driver that took me round Miras wet weather handling circuit seemed to think it was very good aswell. As far as sophistication goes tho. It's very sophisticated. The Bosch 8.1 system provides the 500 with loads of functions that improve the ride handling and saftey of the car.


Sport is kinda bouncy over the bumps but that just adds to the fun I reckon.

 

[Ms_Cinq]

one of the worst riding cars I've ever driven, and it doesn't handle that well at all.

What size wheels do you have on your 500 tompom?

16"?
15"?
14"?
Would the ride and handling be better with smaller wheels?

 

[Suasexed]

I wouldn't say it's the worse riding cars I've ever driven! The 16s do make the ride quite harsh, but the 15s should solve that. As for handling, it rolls a fair bit, but that's quite endearing. It sticks to the roads well and turn in is sharp. You don't get a lot of feedback through the steering (like most electric power steering setups) but it's chunky and pleasant to drive.

 

[Nuova500]

That sounds good to me, I hate the way modern cars corner flat and stick like limpets to the road. The new Pandas are so good because they dont handle well and dont grip that briliantly, you actually have to drive them. I wonder if Fiat have deliberately designed them this way?

 

[N500SHP]

I have now done over 4000 miles of testing in our 500 1.3 and this week see's the start of the suspension work and not a moment too soon!!

Anything other than total commitment into a corner if driven quickly makes you wonder if its going to be still with you on the other side at the moment. I don't think its on par even with the old 188 Punto currently, far to high up. Just my opinion of course! Will see what its like when lowered slightly to start with.

 

[Nuova500]

sounds a right hoot whats it like compared to a standard new Panda, whats a 188 punto, I presume you mean Grande as the Panda is a 169.

 

[Venters]

188 punto is a MK2 I think.

 

[T14086]

188 punto is a MK2 I think.

It is yes.

GP is 199

 

[Scrogg]

The Bosch 8.1 system provides the 500 with loads of functions that improve the ride handling and saftey of the car.

Well, that totally disproves my theory that none of us will ever use the technical stuff we were told when talking to customers!

 

[Venters]

Well, that totally disproves my theory that none of us will ever use the technical stuff we were told when talking to customers!

Shocking! I'm expected to be a mechanic, mind reader, accountant, and a law expert all at the same time.

Scrogg you been to the Mira part yet?
Thats was just awesome! new Prototype Jag testing on the banked circuit when we were there!

 

[ivantate]

Do all 500s have the same suspension set-up at the moment and it is only wheel size that separates the Pop, Lounge and Sport.

Not sure how it can handle nearly as well as the Panda 100 and also be terrible at handling at the same time.

 

[Scrogg]

Shocking! I'm expected to be a mechanic, mind reader, accountant, and a law expert all at the same time.

Did you not know that when you started the job?

Scrogg you been to the Mira part yet?

Not yet, did all the boring classroom stuff today so doing the fun bit tomorrow!

 

[Venters]

Do all 500s have the same suspension set-up at the moment and it is only wheel size that separates the Pop, Lounge and Sport.

Not sure how it can handle nearly as well as the Panda 100 and also be terrible at handling at the same time.

As far as I know they have the same setup only difference is the rear axel on 1.4s to accomadate the rear discs.

I still say it handles fantasticaly it's just loads of fun!

 

[Suasexed]

whats it like compared to a standard new Panda

As expected it's very similar... maybe not quite as much body roll, may be down to the wider tyres fitted to the 16" wheels The ride was harder, simply again down to the wheels, but overall it was pretty similar. Good noise insulation, very fun.. very pleasant indeed

 

[Suasexed]

this week see's the start of the suspension work and not a moment too soon!!

What are you intending putting on the 500? New springs, springs and dampers or coilys? I'd be interested in some springs at some point I think. Alot of people put Eibachs on the Ka as used in the Bilstein/Eibach Ford Racing Ka... I would be inclined to go with Eibach. Any thoughts on suspension makes?

 

[N500SHP]

Unfortunately Eibach are not ready to ship yet, but KW have them ready to rumble. We will put a set of KW on first, then the V1 set up in a few weeks, as soon as Eibach get the act together and supply them we will give them a go too.

I talked at length with Spax at Autosport but the guy was an arrogant 4r53h0l3 who said the new 500 would only be bought by women and they probably wouldnt bother! Thats them out then!

Thing is though since we have remapped the ECU and raised the torque in the 2-3k band, the handling has improved with it considerably. Will have the G meter out tomorrow and see what we can throw it to :-D

Also got some 17's off a Grande Sporting to put on it, see if the rear drum flange fits this time, if so will whack some lower profile tyres on and see how it sits - otherwise it could end up looking like Big Foot lol!

 

[Suasexed]

Fantastic! It's good to hear you're going to be testing out lots of kit... will definitely be paying you a visit sometime I was wondering if 17s would fit on the 500... the arches look mightily small. I think it would look wicked with them on, but the ride would be atrocious considering what it's like with just 16s on! Will you be doing performance parts for the petrol engines as well as the diesels? Looking forward to the shop opening buddy

 

[N500SHP]

The reason we bought one in all those months ago was to test as much as we could before we released it. Knowing from experience that the 1.3 was going to be the most tunable of the initial models we plumped for it. All models are covered for all things and we have tuned all of the engines currently available. The shop opens fully on the 21st. We are looking for a 1.2 and 1.4 customer who wants a free exhaust by the way... contact via the shop

 

[Mark Elvin]

The reason we bought one in all those months ago was to test as much as we could before we released it. Knowing from experience that the 1.3 was going to be the most tunable of the initial models we plumped for it. All models are covered for all things and we have tuned all of the engines currently available. The shop opens fully on the 21st. We are looking for a 1.2 and 1.4 customer who wants a free exhaust by the way... contact via the shop

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