FIAT Panda

FIAT Panda is a town car produced by the firm FIAT between 1980 and 2003.

History

Conceived by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the FIAT Panda can be regarded as a modern interpretation of the Citroen 2CV. A car modern, simple, easy to use or maintain. Marketed since 1980, the Panda was noted for its innovative style, developed two years later when designing FIAT Uno. The assembly of the Panda comes from machine elements already used by FIAT, like the engines and the transmission borrowed from FIAT 127.

Many devices contributed to the role of “car of city” of the Panda: the back bench could be folded flat to make a rudimentary bed of it, to even be entirely removed to increase the space of load. All the seats were covered with dismountable fabrics to be washed, in the same way for the lower part of the instrument panel. Certain Panda had even a roof in fabric to transform it into convertible.

During the 23 years of its marketing, the Panda evolved/moved little; as well in options as in versions. There were two series (1980-1986 and 1986-2003), and a restylage (in 1992).

First series (1980-1986)

The Panda is born in 1980, with the two models Panda 30 and 45. One year later, is marketed Panda 34, then will come the Panda 4x4.

Panda 34

In 1981, FIAT presents the Panda 34 which wants to be line entry very; with for example removal of the back windshield wiper or of the head-rests. It profits from a four-cylinder motor of 843cm ³ developing 34ch. Cette version was, at the origin reserved for the Spanish market but, as of her marketing, the French customers and allemande held a very favorable reception for him.

Consumption (to 90 km/h; urban): 5.1; 7.5 l/100
maximum Speed: 125 km/h

Panda 45

It has a four-cylinder motor 903cm ³ of FIAT 127 one of best traction before FIAT which marked its time. A special version, Super Panda 45 will be proposed with equipment " luxueux" , such rear view mirror day/night, ashtrays back, limps 5 speeds…

Consumption (to 90 km/h; to 120 km/h; urban): 5.1; 6.9; 8 l/100
maximum Speed: 140 km/h

Panda 4x4

In 1983, FIAT leaves the Panda in version 4x4. The case of the Panda is identical to the version two wheels driving. However, it is different by a spillplate from 5 cm, a width of tires increased to 145 cm (instead of 135). Moreover, its grill is out of plastic (instead of a sheet). It is based on the level of completion of Panda 45. Its system of four driving wheels was developed, in collaboration with the Austrian mark Steyr-Puch, mark which was always very related to FIAT and which has even manufactured FIAT 500 pennies license.

The Panda 4x4, inter alia competitions, took part in the Paris-Dakar of 1984, with on its board the presenter Evelyne Dhéliat.

Over its twenty years of career, the Panda 4x4 proved its extraordinary popularity in the rural areas of all Europe, where the roads are often sinuous, steeply sloping or badly tarred. The majority of the European countries have their own Club of Panda 4x4.

It was also a business success in the French mountainous departments, where one met more versions 4x4 than of simple town versions. One delivered special was even ordered by EDF-GDF.

Driving: 965 cm ³ (of origin Autobianchi)
Power: 48 horses
maximum Speed: 135 km/h

Second series, first version (1986-1992)

In 1986, the Panda second series appears. More than one simple restylage, it profits from a broader instrument panel, new fires and bumper. The sheet grill is replaced by a plastic grill. The back suspension with rigid axle and leaf springs is replaced by the suspension with deformable axle and helical springs, known as Omega axle, of the Autobianchi Y10. Lastly, it is equipped with new and modern engines Fire 750 and 1000cm ³.

Panda 750 Fire

Driving 769 cm ³
34 horses
maximum Speed: 125 km/h

Panda 900

Marketed of 1989 to 1992 Driving

903 cm ³ of Panda 45, (begun again on Seat Marbella)
39 horses
maximum Speed: 140 km/h

Panda 1000 Fire

Driving 999 cm ³
45 horses
maximum Speed: 140 km/h

Panda Selected

The Panda Selected is available as from 1991. It has an automatic gear box, of type CVT (Transmission with Variation Continue), which adds a certain approval for a control downtown. Its engine is that of the 1000 Fire.

maximum Speed: 140 km/h

Panda 4x4

Driving 999 cm ³ (until 1989), then 1108 cm ³ with injection monopoint
50 horses
maximum Speed: 140 km/h

Second series, restylée (1992-2003)

In 1992, light a restylage takes place, with a new grill. From 1993, the Panda will be only been driven by fuel injection engines (i.e means electronic injection). Admittedly, more silencers, but less powerful, especially in recoveries. In addition, the engine Fire 1108 cm ³ is launched, to respect the EU law Euro 3 more strict as regards pollution.

Panda 750 Fire

Marketed until 1993 Driving

769 cm ³
34 horses
maximum Speed: 125 km/h

Panda 899 i.e.

Marketed of 1992 to 2000, it will constitute the Panda of line entry, starting from the disappearance of Panda 750. Its versions will be called successively Cafè , Colore , Young . Certain equipment will disappear on this version, like the vacuum-pocket in the door passenger, the rear windows entre' working, the watch… However, its posted price will constitute a record for a new European car (39 900 francs in 1995).

Driving 899cm ³, with injection monopoint
39 horses
maximum Speed: 135 km/h

Panda 1108 i.e.

It is on this model, that the Panda two wheels driving will profit from equipment more " high-end ". For example, electric panes, centralized closing, roof sliding, on the version CLX , which will become Hobby in 1998.

Moteur 1108cm ³, with injection monopoint
50 horses
maximum Speed: 145 km/h

Panda Selected

For this restylage, it profits from the engine of the Panda 1108

maximum Speed: 140 km/h

Panda 4x4

In 1992, for the living room of the 4x4, FIAT will propose the version Val of Isere ; equipped, inter alia, of a Inclinometer, one avoids buffalo, a gallery of roof and high intensity lights. The following versions will be called Sisley , Black Piste , Country Club , Trekking ,…

Moteur 1108cm ³, with injection monopoint
50 horses
maximum Speed: 130 km/h

Versions not imported into France

Panda 30

Panda 30, almost reserved for the Italian market, will not be imported into France. It is animated by an engine twin-cylinder 652cm ³ coming from FIAT 126.

maximum Speed: 115 km/h

Van panda

The Panda was the subject of some particular installations by carriage-builders, in particular of the versions luxurious or profiting from particular completions. In addition to the version with integral traction, she did not know a true transformation if it is not the version Panda Van .

With utility vocation, it counted only two places and profited from two back plastic leaves, instead of the forage ladder. Moreover, it could be equipped with integral traction (Panda 4x4 Van). It was marketed as from 1986, with the engines 750 cm ³ and 1301 cm ³ diesel, then the 899 with injection and 1108. It was used officially by the Italian public services Enel, Telecom Italia or Anas (public service of maintenance of the roads).

Elettra panda

The version Elettra was been driven by an electrical motor.

Panda with diesel engine

Not imported into France, the Panda profited from 1986 to 1990 of the atmospheric diesel engine 1301 cm ³ of FIAT Uno. This engine 1.3D was also proposed on the case of the Van Panda.

Its end of a career

Last years of the Panda

The manufacture of the FIAT Panda will be maintained until September 2003 because of its permanent success in all the countries of Europe. Its production exceeded the 5,5 million specimens. It is one of the rare cars FIAT of modern times never to have been elsewhere manufactured than in Italy and Spain. Exported on all the continents, it is always very with the mode in Japan. The Panda first generation will have waited 23 years before having downward. The manufacture of this Panda stopped after more: 4500000 specimens built in Italy and more: 1000000 in Spain.

New the FIAT Panda II

The sister twins Panda: Seat Marbella

The Spanish firm Seat, when it was subsidiary of FIAT, also manufactured under license the FIAT Panda for the Iberian market, with in particular a version FIAT Panda 34 taking again the old engine of Seat/FIAT 850; this model was exported much in France and Germany in particular for tax reasons. There was no design suitable for Seat which was only satisfied to assemble products FIAT and to adapt some versions to specific body like, in the old past, FIAT 600 /800 with 4 doors and FIAT 127 5 doors, versions which never existed with catalog FIAT. Therefore there exists a model Seat Panda, which was licensed product between 1980 and 1986.

When FIAT Auto SpA decided to cease its relationship with the Spanish State and Seat and to sell its participation, the Spanish manufacturer of making minor adjustments to basic model FIAT Panda and baptized it Marbella, in order to avoid being continued by FIAT for counterfeit, as it was the case for FIAT 127 become Seat Fura and FIAT Ritmo become Seat Ronda.

FIAT already presented the second generation of Panda with a suspension had entirely re-examined equipped with the new engines Fire , which was never the case at Seat which kept more than 10 years the old model with its catalog, with old engines FIAT, in spite of its integration in the group VW.

External bonds

the official site of FIAT France

Sources

Re-examined automobile technique (RTA) FIAT Maintenance manual Panda
FIAT Panda 899
Forum Italian Bus Club

Simple: FIAT Panda

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