General Panda 4x4

[4x4Panda]

Our 4x4 order is now showing as status 20. Been there before so let's hope it sticks this time. I guess FIAT has gotten over whatever the sliding seat problem was...

I'm not going to smile though as there seems to be a deep and hazardous chasm between a FIAT 20 and a car actually being physically present in the UK!!

 

[deeyup]

Our 4x4 order is now showing as status 20. Been there before so let's hope it sticks this time. I guess FIAT has gotten over whatever the sliding seat problem was...

I'm not going to smile though as there seems to be a deep and hazardous chasm between a FIAT 20 and a car actually being physically present in the UK!!

Ace news! You need to edit your sig

 

[205dan]

Hi All

I Placed an order for a 4x4 TA at the weekend, I ordered with the 4 seat Flex Pack, but as you know there is an issue and that option couldn't be ordered in April, although it looks like it will be available to order again in the next week or 2.

I almost changed to a 5 seat Flex pack other than for what I saw in this thread. I like some of you am really hoping that it gives some extra legroom in the back.

Most of the reviews suggest that the seat only slides forward, but this could just be a mistake in the sales pack as most reviewers won't have seen it. The telegraph review suggest it slides back " although there is a sliding rear-seat option, which eats into the boot space but is a good bet if you’re aiming on filling the rear seats regularly. telegraph.co.uk/motoring/8971139/Fiat-Panda-review.html

Also this parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/fiat/panda/4x4-2012/gallery/?cat=Bootloadspace looks further back than this parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/fiat/panda/hatchback-2012/gallery/?cat=Bootloadspace but it is impossible to be sure.

I have asked fiat and they will be getting back to me soon. I was wondering if anyone could shed any further light on this subject?

Thanks, Dan

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Most of the reviews suggest that the seat only slides forward, but this could just be a mistake in the sales pack as most reviewers won't have seen it. The telegraph review suggest it slides back " although there is a sliding rear-seat option, which eats into the boot space but is a good bet if you’re aiming on filling the rear seats regularly. telegraph.co.uk/motoring/8971139/Fiat-Panda-review.html

Only from the rear most possition, I doubt it'll sit any further back than standard none sliding rear bench.

 

[Super Uwe]

Hi 205dan,

Welcome to the forum, and many congrats on placing your order. Another 4x4! Everyone seems to be loving it.

Re the sliding rear bench - I will give philboo a nudge as he's already got his car with this option specced. Am sure he will be able to tell you whether the rear bench goes back any further or not, or whether it just goes forward to increase boot space.

 

[205dan]

Only from the rear most possition, I doubt it'll sit any further back than standard none sliding rear bench.

I wonder then perhaps the seats are deeper?

Thanks Super Uwe! its a pleasure to be here

 

[triumph7]

Well if its anything like the sliding seat we had in a Citroen c2 a few years ago, it will slide forward to free up extra boot space and not as some testers have I think incorrectly reported. I have that option on order on that basis. My dealer also are under that impression.

 

[Ulpian]

It slides forwards to liberate more boot space, and consequently allow practically zero rear leg space, unless small children are carried and the front passenger seat is moved forwards a little.

 

[4x4Panda]

Why then would the rear parcel shelf need to be shorter (front edge to back edge)? I was hoping this was to liberate some boot space for leg room, unless it is simply to allow more recline?? Only philboo knows for sure, I think!!!

 

[babbo_umbro]

If it's like the sliding seat option on the previous model it had six or eight positions, giving a total to-and-fro of about six inches (no sniggering at the back) - half forward and half backward of the central position, so the option is there of more boot/less leg room or more legroom/less boot space. We used it fairly infrequently but it was very handy when needed.

 

[4x4Panda]

The dealer is convinced that somewhere far far away in Italy there is now a med-blue 4x4 with my name on it. I remain calm and unmoved either way...

 

[4x4Panda]

If it's like the sliding seat option on the previous model it had six or eight positions, giving a total to-and-fro of about six inches (no sniggering at the back) - half forward and half backward of the central position, so the option is there of more boot/less leg room or more legroom/less boot space. We used it fairly infrequently but it was very handy when needed.

<snigger mode off\>

Didn't know the mk3 had this option and what you've described is exactly what I'm hoping for

 

[babbo_umbro]

<snigger mode off\>

Didn't know the mk3 had this option and what you've described is exactly what I'm hoping for

Yes - we had it on my wife's Panda MJ, and the parcel shelf was shorter back-to-front than the standard.

 

[philboo]

I'll measure the spacing when I get home this evening.

I'll put the passenger seat fully forward and rear seats fully backwards (so leaving the smallest boot space) and measure the gap (I'll photograph the space I'm measuring).

Is that what you'd need to know ? Obviously you'll need a no. 4 seat owner to do the comparison.

Phil

 

[205dan]

Hi Philboo,

Thanks for helping out & as many images as possible please! A clear photo like this would be useful for comparison, I'm looking for something that is likely to be standard across the range as a reference point, you see the bulbous piece of black plastic on the left sticking out behind the seat, is this something like a fuel filler pipe cowel? if you have this in yours it is likely to be in the same place in the 4 and 5 seat model.

 

[philboo]

Have you looked at all the images I've already posted in the gallery ?

 

[philboo]

I'm not home yet but this is one i took previously.

 

[205dan]

I've seen the images from a few pages back on this thread..

Comparing the last image I posted and yours it is still very difficult to tell. I still think the back of your seats may sit a few cm further back, but I also wonder if the seat backs are deeper.

Looking forward to seeing your new pics!

 

[philboo]

Ok here goes.
Here's the boot with the seat fully back (smallest boot)




Now. This is the rear passenger space with the front seat fully forward and boot at the smallest.



The measurement in this position is about 33cm.


In this setup the boot is about 40cm. See pic.


In this configuration the front seat only has about 17cm space. See photo.

 

[philboo]

If I reverse this and make the boot the largest (just to give you a comparison)

The rear passenger space becomes 17cm (this is still with the passenger front seat fully forwards).



The boot in this setup becomes about 56cm




Does that help ?