I had the previous generation Panda and loved it - for such a small car it was incredibly versatile and surprisingly practical. Touches like the parcel shelf not needing any other struts/supports are so simple but so brilliant. This next generation is very appealing…although I still wouldn’t particularly want to have an accident in one..!!!
Yes, we enjoyed this one, although probably enjoyed Mr Bill's Panda 100 HP even more, to be honest. I can see why people like them, probably safer than something like an old Maestro, however.
Great review, I love the colour. I owned a 2013 4x4 for a total of 12 days at the start of the year. Issues with the gearstick vibrating at 3k rpm meant I returned it for a refund, not to mention when an independent garage looked at it they found the sump plug missing and filled with sealant! I still loved the car so instead of buying another 2nd hand one I went full hog and ordered a new Cross 4x4. It's been delayed until end of the year. They officially stopped production in June 2022 but I was told my order would still be honoured. Although the Twinair was discontinued for a while Fiat apparently had a stock of new engines that have obviously done them up until this point. I believe 2018 onward cars the issue with the DMF that causes gearbox issues was sorted with improved components. Later cars Fiat have done some cost cutting, so no longer do you get a CD player or 6 speakers, nor do you get the 3 way courtesy light. I plan on retrofitting some things back when mine arrives. For me it's a great daily driver, 4x4 suits me for skiing and my job. The twinair is also a big part of the reason for purchase. Ever since I drove a 500 with one I loved it. Puts a smile on your face. I will be driving it sensibly so I get closer to 50mpg rather than sub 40 😁
Oh sir! Not the sump plug missing and filled in with sealant. Aaarrghhh. As you know, we have driven a brand new S-Cross on the channel back in April. You are right, the Twinair has indeed now gone, I didn't realise it was so recently. Got to drive sensibly, as you say, to get 50 mpg or more.
I actually like this very much! I wish they would import this to the US as we only have the 500X. I love the steering wheel, and the sound of the engine sounds delicious! Wonderful review kind Sir!
Incredible little cars, very practical, so economical, very quirky and heaps of fun to drive. I thoroughly enjoy owning mine, a 2014 Limited edition Antarctica model, had it 3 years, no issues at all. We paid just £5995 in 2019 it had covered just 32k miles with full service history. I've put 15k miles on it in just over 3 years and it's the only ever car I've owned that has increased considerably in value! What is there not to love about these cars? They are like little mountain goats over rough terrain! I bought it mainly because the UK roads are so bad now, most are more like potholed and rutted farm tracks, the extra ground clearance and long travel suspension soaks it all up perfectly. Your review model does indeed have a heated front screen and heated front seats, as it has the winter pack, a very handy option if buying one. The dipstick is built into the oil filler cap. The twinair engine actually has a timing chain not a cambelt as you suggested. As for fuel economy, you'll never get the quoted figures, what car can? Expect 45-50mpg. I've had 54mpg out of ours on a long run, loaded up with camping gear, which I thought was very respectful. Expect as low as mid 30s if you rev it through the gears to the redline! The trick is finding the sweet spot in each gear and avoid eco mode it just saps the power requiring more throttle, pointless in my opinion, does nothing to improve mpg.
The engine cover is the airbox and houses the filter, so its actually a functioning bit of black plastic. (15:41) Also the dipstick is attached onto the oil filler cap.
That's a nice example. From the rear quarter view it is reminiscent of a Renault 4 in my opinion. I'd take the more utilitarian Panda over the fashionable 500.
Good video,and nicely balanced view....I have a twin-air engined Alfa Mito and it takes some time to get used to the engine characteristics....oh, and bye the way..the oil filler cap is the dipstick.
Yes, I discussed the car extensively with Mr Bushby before taking it out for review. I am not sure that it is exactly me, but I did very much enjoy it. That makes sense about the dipstick.
MPG: if you really try 65. If you really try to make progress, 40! I once got 72, but I had a tail wind. This is for a UK Panda Twinair (turbo 85 bhp). It's a brilliant car. Surprisingly fast. And great in town.
Thank you very much indeed for watching! Yes, you do have to rev it quite hard to make progress, which probably explains why most people don't get near the official figures.
Thanks for this video. Engine makes a very Ferrari 308 sound...😁 Only just starting to watch this video, but does it have similar running gear to the 500 4x4? Was 'La Donna E Mobile' on the stereo? Never seen this in New Zealand, did not even know there was a twin cylinder!
Not to be a negative nancy, but I'm in the market for one of these - hence searching for reviews etc on RUclips. That example is far from a £1-5k car... more like £8-10 with its winter pack and low mileage. Expect to get something with perhaps 100k miles and no winter pack/few optional extras for the £5k price point. Great review nonetheless :)
The point is with these videos that you can find an example of the car in the video for the budget in question. The particular car may be worth more, but it is just for demonstration purposes. It's virtually impossible to make these videos, bearing in mind most cars are offered to me rather than requested, and always show something on screen that is within budget, rather it just be for demonstration purposes.
Of course James May was always a great exponent of the Panda ....... but now he's better known for cooking eggs , I'm unsure where that leaves his gravitas.
I did find the handbrake very odd at first but it does grow on you and that 'mouse puck' shaped handle with side button is just so ergonomic and full of Italian style, quirky almost! Plus it's a SQUIRCLE, the styling cue that is on every part of the car including the upholstery and headlining! When I go back go a conventional handbrake lever on my Focus I feel like something is missing, it feels lacking in operation and feel somehow, not as robust as the Pandas handbrake.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting The CD in the door. I can imagine David Coverdale's Missus doing an exoctic dance - like in that music video with the Daimler Double Six - on the bonnet of a larger Fiat Group Product such as a V8 Lancia Thema, but not sure about this car...
I had the previous generation Panda and loved it - for such a small car it was incredibly versatile and surprisingly practical. Touches like the parcel shelf not needing any other struts/supports are so simple but so brilliant. This next generation is very appealing…although I still wouldn’t particularly want to have an accident in one..!!!
Yes, we enjoyed this one, although probably enjoyed Mr Bill's Panda 100 HP even more, to be honest. I can see why people like them, probably safer than something like an old Maestro, however.
Excellent Review as always Sir, could see myself in one of these, the sound of a 2 Cylinder engine gives the car so much character.
It's a very strange sound, sir, and the torque curve is completely different from a four cylinder. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Great review, I love the colour. I owned a 2013 4x4 for a total of 12 days at the start of the year. Issues with the gearstick vibrating at 3k rpm meant I returned it for a refund, not to mention when an independent garage looked at it they found the sump plug missing and filled with sealant!
I still loved the car so instead of buying another 2nd hand one I went full hog and ordered a new Cross 4x4. It's been delayed until end of the year. They officially stopped production in June 2022 but I was told my order would still be honoured. Although the Twinair was discontinued for a while Fiat apparently had a stock of new engines that have obviously done them up until this point.
I believe 2018 onward cars the issue with the DMF that causes gearbox issues was sorted with improved components.
Later cars Fiat have done some cost cutting, so no longer do you get a CD player or 6 speakers, nor do you get the 3 way courtesy light. I plan on retrofitting some things back when mine arrives.
For me it's a great daily driver, 4x4 suits me for skiing and my job. The twinair is also a big part of the reason for purchase. Ever since I drove a 500 with one I loved it. Puts a smile on your face. I will be driving it sensibly so I get closer to 50mpg rather than sub 40 😁
Oh sir! Not the sump plug missing and filled in with sealant. Aaarrghhh. As you know, we have driven a brand new S-Cross on the channel back in April. You are right, the Twinair has indeed now gone, I didn't realise it was so recently. Got to drive sensibly, as you say, to get 50 mpg or more.
I actually like this very much! I wish they would import this to the US as we only have the 500X.
I love the steering wheel, and the sound of the engine sounds delicious!
Wonderful review kind Sir!
It's a very peculiar sound, and a very different driving experience from a normal four cylinder engine. Thank you for watching, sir!
Incredible little cars, very practical, so economical, very quirky and heaps of fun to drive.
I thoroughly enjoy owning mine, a 2014 Limited edition Antarctica model, had it 3 years, no issues at all.
We paid just £5995 in 2019 it had covered just 32k miles with full service history.
I've put 15k miles on it in just over 3 years and it's the only ever car I've owned that has increased considerably in value!
What is there not to love about these cars? They are like little mountain goats over rough terrain!
I bought it mainly because the UK roads are so bad now, most are more like potholed and rutted farm tracks, the extra ground clearance and long travel suspension soaks it all up perfectly.
Your review model does indeed have a heated front screen and heated front seats, as it has the winter pack, a very handy option if buying one.
The dipstick is built into the oil filler cap.
The twinair engine actually has a timing chain not a cambelt as you suggested.
As for fuel economy, you'll never get the quoted figures, what car can?
Expect 45-50mpg. I've had 54mpg out of ours on a long run, loaded up with camping gear, which I thought was very respectful.
Expect as low as mid 30s if you rev it through the gears to the redline!
The trick is finding the sweet spot in each gear and avoid eco mode it just saps the power requiring more throttle, pointless in my opinion, does nothing to improve mpg.
Thank you for watching! I did ask about the chain/belt before I filmed the car, my information must have been wrong.
The engine cover is the airbox and houses the filter, so its actually a functioning bit of black plastic. (15:41) Also the dipstick is attached onto the oil filler cap.
Yes, that's all probably right. Thank you for watching!
That's a nice example. From the rear quarter view it is reminiscent of a Renault 4 in my opinion. I'd take the more utilitarian Panda over the fashionable 500.
Yes sir, like so many other of Gavin's cars, it was indeed a very good example. Renault 4 is not too far away from the spirit of one of these, really.
Good video,and nicely balanced view....I have a twin-air engined Alfa Mito and it takes some time to get used to the engine characteristics....oh, and bye the way..the oil filler cap is the dipstick.
Yes, I discussed the car extensively with Mr Bushby before taking it out for review. I am not sure that it is exactly me, but I did very much enjoy it. That makes sense about the dipstick.
Thanks! Just bought one and was looking everywhere for the dipstick!
MPG: if you really try 65. If you really try to make progress, 40! I once got 72, but I had a tail wind. This is for a UK Panda Twinair (turbo 85 bhp). It's a brilliant car. Surprisingly fast. And great in town.
Thank you very much indeed for watching! Yes, you do have to rev it quite hard to make progress, which probably explains why most people don't get near the official figures.
Reminds me of a Daihatsu Terios! Which has aways been popular in New Zealand.
Sadly, the Terios was discontinued over here in 2012, sir.
"Characterful" indeed, Mr Lloyd. I'd take one of these over a 500 any day!
Well, Mr Bushby seems to like it, sir! As do his friends in the back....
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Indeed. They say you should never work with children or animals, but those chaps were remarkably quiet. Sedatives, sir?
@@TPerry2828 , sir, they did not scream or answer back, did they?
Play Zucchero and Paul Young - 'Senza Una Donna.'😁
Never heard of that before, sir.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Epic!
The handbrake there is reminiscent of the 4wd engagement handle of the original panda 4wd.
Yes, it is a bit unusual, isn't it? Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting.
Thanks for this video. Engine makes a very Ferrari 308 sound...😁 Only just starting to watch this video, but does it have similar running gear to the 500 4x4? Was 'La Donna E Mobile' on the stereo? Never seen this in New Zealand, did not even know there was a twin cylinder!
Yes sir, the Twinair has now been discontinued, but it was available for a while. There is no 4x4 of the 500, as far as I am aware, only the 500X.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Thanks for the info!
Not to be a negative nancy, but I'm in the market for one of these - hence searching for reviews etc on RUclips. That example is far from a £1-5k car... more like £8-10 with its winter pack and low mileage. Expect to get something with perhaps 100k miles and no winter pack/few optional extras for the £5k price point.
Great review nonetheless :)
The point is with these videos that you can find an example of the car in the video for the budget in question. The particular car may be worth more, but it is just for demonstration purposes. It's virtually impossible to make these videos, bearing in mind most cars are offered to me rather than requested, and always show something on screen that is within budget, rather it just be for demonstration purposes.
Of course James May was always a great exponent of the Panda .......
but now he's better known for cooking eggs , I'm unsure where that leaves his gravitas.
That is an interesting philosophical question, sir. I don't know where that leaves his gravitas at all.
USELESS FACT: The Alfa Romeo 75 had a similar egg slice/mouse trap handbrake.
There was the same sort of arrangement in the Alfa 90 I drove two years ago, sir.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Ah that was awesome!
I did find the handbrake very odd at first but it does grow on you and that 'mouse puck' shaped handle with side button is just so ergonomic and full of Italian style, quirky almost!
Plus it's a SQUIRCLE, the styling cue that is on every part of the car including the upholstery and headlining!
When I go back go a conventional handbrake lever on my Focus I feel like something is missing, it feels lacking in operation and feel somehow, not as robust as the Pandas handbrake.
Later pandas went back to the conventional handbrake far as I know.
I would have enjoyed one of those very much, sir!
IT REALLY DOES SOUND LIKE A 308!!!!!
Are you sure about that, sir?
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Used to watch old School Magnum PI heaps as a kid! Very Alfa Romeo like too! Watch the Roadster Life Channel for proof!
@@alaricbragg7843 , sir, we know that channel well.
Whitesnake? In a Panda? 🤣😂😅
Never listened to any, sir.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting The CD in the door. I can imagine David Coverdale's Missus doing an exoctic dance - like in that music video with the Daimler Double Six - on the bonnet of a larger Fiat Group Product such as a V8 Lancia Thema, but not sure about this car...
@@alaricbragg7843 , sir, you clearly have quite a fertile imagination...
I think that’s ok isn’t it? There were Scorpions, Kiss, Thunder, and Bowie CD’s just behind! Don’t judge me….
@@127palio , no judgement on musical taste here, sir...
1st
Feeling proud, sir?