General Panda grip

[Drinkduff]

Just been watching this video of a twin air trekking . Check out that understeer

Seems to loose grip quick, what's the reality like?






Suppose it could have been worse

 

[Palio]

I think I was watching a different video?

I saw a car being pushed hard on a very wet handling circuit without losing it, and a happy looking tester (look at the "spot on" hand signal) & saying beautiful a lot.

If anyone speaks Italian properly, maybe they can confirm what the tester thought?

My one experience of the 4x4 in horrendous conditions was that it felt absolutely rock solid, at speeds that would have been suicidal in my Abarth! I know this was a Trekking, but even so......

Anyway if someone loses it at speed in those conditions, they only have themselves to blame - natural selection I call it

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Just been watching this video of a twin air trekking . Check out that understeer

Seems to loose grip quick,

The more important question is what tyres are fitted?

 

[Drinkduff]

I think I was watching a different video?

I saw a car being pushed hard on a very wet handling circuit without losing it, and a happy looking tester (look at the "spot on" hand signal) & saying beautiful a lot.

Anyway if someone loses it at speed in those conditions, they only have themselves to blame - natural selection I call it

Ha

Good point well made

 

[beeson100]

I don't think the camera angle really helps but having watched it a couple of times I can't see any obvious moments of major understeer. It's a tall car with raised suspension and skinny mud and snow tyres driving in the wet. I think it handles very well considering all of that...

It's no match for something like the 100HP Panda in terms of handling and it isn't designed to be but it's still pretty good around the corners and fun to drive.

 

[babbo_umbro]

He comments on how slippery the surface is (umpteen times), how well the Panda keeps its line, what fun it is to be driving on a circuit where he can use the whole road, how simple it is to correct any skid, how much damage it would do if he slipped off into the guardrail - I have several Italian friends who drive like that all the time.

 

[Shaston]

Pandas do understeer a tad when you're driving them hard.. you soon get used to it.

 

[thebiglad]

The bloke in the video couldn't drive a soapy stick up a dog's 'arris !

Watch the video again and you'll see that he systematically turns into the corner to soon and as a result he comes out wide.

I reckon that's a good car to put up with such poor driving, personally.

 

[babbo_umbro]

He also seems to have trouble deciding what gear to use. He does say it's the TwinAir version so he has six gears to choose from.

 

[Moultoneer]

He also seems to have trouble deciding what gear to use. He does say it's the TwinAir version so he has six gears to choose from.

Sadly not- it's a Trekking so has only 5 gears

But the ratios are well chosen for the TA engine, IMO

(The 4x4's 6th gear is an extra-low first...)



Chris

 

[babbo_umbro]

Sadly not- it's a Trekking so has only 5 gears

But the ratios are well chosen for the TA engine, IMO

(The 4x4's 6th gear is an extra-low first...)



Chris

Yes, I forgot that.

I've done almost 8000 miles in my 4x4 in its first seven months. In practice, while first gear is quite low, not too bad for lumpy trails, though occasional de-clutchng is necessary to go really slowly, and fine for climbing very steep hills - it's climbed a 45-degree ski slope (no snow) easily, and restarted on it - it's not exceptionally low. I always pull away from stationary in first as second requires just too much clutch slipping for my taste. Out of interest, what mph/1000 rpm does the Trekking do in fifth? The 4x4 does about 22/1000 rpm in sixth and will cruise all day - if a bit thirstily - at 4000 rpm.

 

[Shaston]

Yes, I forgot that.

I've done almost 8000 miles in my 4x4 in its first seven months. In practice, while first gear is quite low, not too bad for lumpy trails, though occasional de-clutchng is necessary to go really slowly, and fine for climbing very steep hills - it's climbed a 45-degree ski slope (no snow) easily, and restarted on it - it's not exceptionally low. I always pull away from stationary in first as second requires just too much clutch slipping for my taste. Out of interest, what mph/1000 rpm does the Trekking do in fifth? The 4x4 does about 22/1000 rpm in sixth and will cruise all day - if a bit thirstily - at 4000 rpm.

I agree. I think the gearing on the 6 speed 'box is not quite right. First & second need to be a touch lower, so you can normally pull away in second & leave first for 'off-roading'. Basically a five speed gearbox + a crawler gear.
Which is what I thought Fiat had intended.

 

[Moultoneer]

Yes, I forgot that.

I've done almost 8000 miles in my 4x4 in its first seven months. In practice, while first gear is quite low, not too bad for lumpy trails, though occasional de-clutchng is necessary to go really slowly, and fine for climbing very steep hills - it's climbed a 45-degree ski slope (no snow) easily, and restarted on it - it's not exceptionally low. I always pull away from stationary in first as second requires just too much clutch slipping for my taste. Out of interest, what mph/1000 rpm does the Trekking do in fifth? The 4x4 does about 22/1000 rpm in sixth and will cruise all day - if a bit thirstily - at 4000 rpm.

I've only driven the 4x4 TA as a test-drive before ordering the Trekking, but my
observations tally with your experience. I was relieved to find the Trekking's top
gear is a bit higher, at about 25/1000 making it a great motorway cruiser
And the good low-rev. torque means no down-shifting on inclines

Conversely, the TA engine doesn't give much engine braking, so I do find the
brakes need more use than I'd like when descending steep gradients

I'm very happy with my overall fuel economy of around 55MPG



Chris