General Panda Mk3 or Mk4

[deeyup]

There seems to be confusion here (for me at least )

I always considered the new 2012 Panda to be the mk3 version, but most threads refer to it as the mk4.

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Panda"]wikipedia[/ame] (which I know can't always be trusted) thinks mk3 too.



Fiat Forum seems to have got it right with the sections. Classic Panda=generation 1, Panda=generation 2 and 2012 Panda=generation 3

What's the opinion?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Wiki is wrong, and people are getting mk's and generations mixed up. The current 2012 is 3rd generation, but is a mk4, as the 1st generation had 2 mks, the mk1 from 1980-1986 and the mk2 from 1986-2003.

The thing that makes a car a completly different mk is when changes are more than just a face lift, for example the mk1 and mk2 share the same basic shape, but that is it, most parts (IE over 95%) or parts are not compatable between the 2.

A difference in generation is more to do with shape that design / parts.

What doesn't help is Fiat refer to it as 3rd generation at times. But then again Fiat tend not to use the phrase mk or generation much, just a number, like the current mk2/2nd generation Bravo is just refered to as the Bravo2 I believe.

 

[deeyup]

Thanks, makes sense now.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Thanks, makes sense now.

 

[babbo_umbro]

Wiki is wrong, and people are getting mk's and generations mixed up. The current 2012 is 3rd generation, but is a mk4, as the 1st generation had 2 mks, the mk1 from 1980-1986 and the mk2 from 1986-2003.

The thing that makes a car a completly different mk is when changes are more than just a face lift, for example the mk1 and mk2 share the same basic shape, but that is it, most parts (IE over 95%) or parts are not compatable between the 2.

A difference in generation is more to do with shape that design / parts.

What doesn't help is Fiat refer to it as 3rd generation at times. But then again Fiat tend not to use the phrase mk or generation much, just a number, like the current mk2/2nd generation Bravo is just refered to as the Bravo2 I believe.

We had two Mk 1s and two Mk 2 4x4s, which are less different from the Mk1 than the 2wd variant, but I hadn't realised that there were so few common parts - I'd just assumed engine/gearbox and rear suspension were the distinguishing features and most of the rest was common.

 

[gar074]

95% different parts between mk 1 and mk 2?

Surely not. I spent many hours working on both mk 1 and mk 2 Pandas, and I wouldn't have said the differences were that great, apart from what babbo_umbro says.

I guess it depends on whether you count every single nut, bolt & cog in the drivetrain!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

95% different parts between mk 1 and mk 2?

Surely not. I spent many hours working on both mk 1 and mk 2 Pandas, and I wouldn't have said the differences were that great, apart from what babbo_umbro says.

Most major components in the 2wd versions of both are different with the exception of complete doors (door parts are not compatible) and glass.

Name me 10 things which are the same and will be a straigh fit on both. Light units are not even the same.

Its like compairing a modern 500 with a Mirca. Only the shape is the same as a whole. The chasis were completly different (with exception of mk2 4x4 which shared some of the mk1 chasis components).

 

[babbo_umbro]

It was said at the time that the Mk 2 Panda and the Lancia Y10 had the same floorpan and many common mechanical components - is that so?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

It was said at the time that the Mk 2 Panda and the Lancia Y10 had the same floorpan and many common mechanical components - is that so?

I believe so, but have never looked around a Y10 myself, so couldn't confirm from personal experience.

 

[4x4Panda]

you guys are wealth of wonderful information - and thanks for asking the mk3/4 question. I've been itching to ask as well, but - you know - i didn't want to appear ignorant...

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

For those who want more training / confusion

Mk1 and mk2 look similar to the untrained eye, but actually has almost no compatible parts, and most classic Panda's are mk2's as the mk1's were even worse for rust than the mk2's are and have all gone to the scrapper.

Mk1

Mk2

 

[gar074]

Name me 10 things which are the same and will be a straigh fit on both.

Maybe that's why my mk 2 rattled so much after I fixed it!

Glad they ditched those hammock seats, though - they were truly bum-numbing on a long trip!