2007 Fiat Panda 100hp
KUNG-FU PANDA
If you thought Fiat Pandas were mumsy and cute, you better take a look at this 100bhp model. Not only has it toughened up its suspension and smartened up its look, it also accelerates with some serious attitude!
The Fiat Panda unlike the bear is a very manageable size and doesn’t consume very much. It’s also very easy to get insurance for (group 5) and will even get you to work in the snow due to its nifty 4WD system. Let’s be honest though, a Panda hardly conjures up the same kind of connotations as a Tiger let’s say. A Panda doesn’t move very gracefully, look very with it or survive that long as a species; however recently they have learnt to do Kung-Fu and according to kids all over the country would make the coolest pets.
Way before Jack Black’s intervention though, the Panda name was a bit of a buzz word especially among young, urban rich kids. Since 2007 when Fiat put a 1.4-litre 100bhp engine under the bonnet of their supermini they were verging on hot hatch territory. At £9,995 it isn’t the value brand it once was but you can now overtake going up a hill on a dual carriageway without the fear of the road forking in to one and you getting sandwiched between two-way traffic. Its top speed of 115mph and its ability to pip the Mini One to 60mph by a clear 1.4 seconds is further proof that the Panda won’t back down without a fight.
Despite being laden with luggage (of which it can carry quite a bit in its vertical boot) it has a terrific amount of poke to pull out of junctions with and is a lot of fun around town. Keeping its weight down to just 975kg means that its 100bhp goes a long way; that said it requires being firm with. You won’t mind this though when you get on average 43.5mpg and emmit a rather saintly 154g/km of C02.
The seating position feels unusually high for such a sporty model but there isn’t any delay in getting directions to the wheels. The ride could do with a lot of refinement but other than that it drives very well. Given its 25mm lower ride height, 25% stiffer springs and a thicker anti-roll bar at the front, it is a honed machine. The exterior also looks the part with its larger profile tyres and wide-spoke alloy wheels; it’s also got a mock diffuser and blade spoiler as well as tinted windows. The seats aren’t of the bucket variety but they’re firm and supportive, you’ve also got plenty of chrome scattered about the dash and leather on the outer rim of the steering wheel.
All the controls are very central and raised to a level where they’re easily reachable, this goes for the gearstick and handbrake too. Air-con, full electrics, Bluetooth Connectivity and a CD-player are all standard as well as all the necessary safety and traction features.
FOR: It’s nippy, fun to drive, has 5 doors, a fair size boot, 4WD and is cheap to run and insure – what more could ask for when it’s under £10K?
AGAINST: The ride quality is a bit rough.
VERDICT: Even now the similarly priced Fiat 500 is in the equation, the 100bhp Panda maintains its USP as the pocket rocket and one you could certainly learn to love.
Spec
ENGINE: 1368cc, four cylinders
Co2 (g/km)/tax: 154
POWER: 100bhp @ 5800rpm
TORQUE (lb/ft): 94 lb ft @ 4500rpm
0-60mph (sec): 9.5
TOP SPEED: 115mph
MPG: 43.5 (urban/extra-urban/combined)
TRANSMISSION: Six speed Manual
WEIGHT: 975 kg
PRICE: £9,999
RIVALS: Ford SportKa, Suzuki Swift Sport, Citroen C2 VTS Leob