General  Panda 4x4

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General  Panda 4x4

Going back to the marketing issue, it looks like Fiat have gone into overdrive trying to get the 500L in the limelight before Christmas. I received a flyer this morning and the other sections on here seem to indicate something similar

Could that be why the marketing for the Panda 4x4 has been so disjointed?
 
Could that be why the marketing for the Panda 4x4 has been so disjointed?

Nah... -- it's just FIAT being their usual selves.... I mean, why would anyone want a 4x4, when we've already had our first falls of snow...? (Mind you, even if it was in every dealer in the country, now; they'd probably be delivering the first orders for it in June....) :bang:
 
I mean, why would anyone want a 4x4, when we've already had our first falls of snow...?
Well, unless you do all driving on empty field, does 4x4 really helps during snow that much? Surely you can go on just fine, but other people stuck on the road with you can't, so you just crawl along with them anyway.
 
When's reality had much to do with 4x4 sales in the UK?

Plenty people happily chuck in their Mondeo after a long hard winter, take the hit on depreciation, get a Freelander and pay through the nose in purchase price, servicing and fuel by pushing a brick through the air for the rest of the year.

The reality is that they could've got a set of Winter Tyres for around £400 for the abilities they need. But that doesn't sell cars!

In the UK, winter makes 4x4s more expensive through misplaced demand. Why FIAT aren't capitalising on this like LR and Subraru do is the big mystery!​
 
Well, unless you do all driving on empty field, does 4x4 really helps during snow that much? Surely you can go on just fine, but other people stuck on the road with you can't, so you just crawl along with them anyway.

Ah: but round these 'ere parts, I'm often in the only car on the road, anyway; and, if not, it's likely to be a Range Rover, Land Rover or big 4x4, anyway, that I'm following...! (Or a tractor.) :p
 
Ah: but round these 'ere parts, I'm often in the only car on the road, anyway; and, if not, it's likely to be a Range Rover, Land Rover or big 4x4, anyway, that I'm following...! (Or a tractor.) :p
Hmm, differs from my "snowy Warwickshire" experience, and anyway, usual FWD Panda did splendidly ;)
 
If the configurator is to be believed then the option of heated seats is surely a Panda first in the uk for the 4x4 !

Always yearned for heated seats in my old Cross after having them on my previous car - one of the few fancy options i can actually warrant paying for !
 
there's no config on the UK site that i can see - are you getting this from an overseas one??
 
wel, you are right there! It seems to be diesel only at the moment though and couldn't find the sun-roof option. I'm going to have yet another word with our local dealer... As a comparative, back in 2008 I ordered a face-lifted 3-Series - and chose all the options - at a dealer BEFORE the configurator was on their public website. FIAT are in the dark ages, though strangely its not putting me off...
 
the configurator seems to have been worked on overnight, as it is offering more colours this AM !!

Still can't select TA...
 
Some of it seems to be Google translated:-

"The picture shown is only indicative, does not respect the characteristics of the configured car."

"PREDISPOSITION FOR BLUE&ME TOMTOM"


Anyhow, I'd like FIAT to respect my preferences and feel predisposed towards fitted a sunroof...

:)
 
Right, done about 150 miles so far in mine.

First thought - it's a bit slower than the Twinair 500/Panda 4x2.

I guess this is down to the extra losses through the transmission, and for most people its not a problem. It is still more than adequate, and drives well, but if you come out of a Twinair you will notice the difference. That said, the engine has only done a couple of hundred miles, so will loosen up.

Handling wise, on road is pretty good, touch more noise off the tyres but to be expected, and on greasy surfaces the M&S tyres (Continental Cross Contacts), do feel a little less surefooted. The ride comfort is very good, compliant over bumps and comfortable. Body roll is much the same as the normal Panda, which is impressive considering the extra height. Traction is good, even dumping the clutch to spin the tyres blinks the ESC light a couple of times, it sorts things out and off you go.

Off road - I've only had the opportunity to go down a small track, which does get very claggy usually. Unfortunately, at the time it was about minus 3, and was like driving on concrete, didn't slip a wheel once. I'll try again when it's a bit warmer and gloopier.

Inside, I like the leather patches on the seats and door cards, should be much harder wearing. The metallic finish on the dash and wheel is nice, but feels a bit rough. The main improvement is the centre console, which brings the cup holder, 12v Socket and Blue&Me socket higher up, offering a hidey hole below, which I prefer.

Fuel economy at the moment is awful (comparitively, its averaging 38mpg according to the trip), but thats all in full power mode and not driving economically. I'll try to get more economy once it's run in a little more.

All in all, it's very good. I'll report back when I've done a few more miles and let you know how its going.
 
I too wanted a sunroof but was told by my dealer that it won't be available on the 4x4 due to extra reinforcing in the roof.

Not sure how accurate this is, struck me that they might just see it as too much faff to offer the sunroof on a niche model - that said it was available on the cross and 4x4 in the old model.

As well as a sunroof the only other thing i will miss is the driving lamps the cross had - they produced a noticeably better main beam.
 
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