First ride with Fiat Grande Panda – futuristic, valuable, affordable

The new panda is now called Grande, but is still a small, great box, as it says in the Fiat advertising logan from 1980. It is offered as a hybrid and electricity. The latter could already drive NTV.de.

Panda as a retro -placed matter unfortunately no longer works. Fiat had already played the Joker in 2003. But moment, this time the Italians did something to be cool, as just used as simple and angular design as well as the model names. So there are loud Easterggs inside and outside.

For example, the four diagonal lines embedded in the plastic cladding of the rear wheel run are striking – they show the minimalist brand logo introduced in the early 1980s. The one that also adorned the first Fiat Panda. However, the retro steel rims (now in white-painted), against which all aluminum wheels fade. In any case, he is not lacking in creativity. And with all these things such as tradition and sophistication, the panda (the bear species of the same name comes from China) shows the Chinese teeth.

Connecting tradition with modernity, the Fiat boy and girls succeeded in any case-see Matrix LED front, which simply looks futuristic and cool. If you also open the front flap, you discover the cable attached there, which can be easily pulled out to load AC, i.e. alternating current, for which you have to get out of frunker or trunk and the charging cable including the danger, dirty fingers fetch.

Stromer – this is the keyword. The panda also gives a hybrid, but Fiat did not even bring it to the driving presentation. Why not, you could ask yourself. Does the brand urgently need electrical purchases to achieve the required CO2 goal? After all, manufacturers in Europe have to meet strict emission requirements.

Stromer significantly more expensive than hybrid

If so, it remains incomprehensible why the electric panda is so confident. Now 24,990 euros are not completely priceless, but that it is cheaper, for example, the group brother Citroën ë-C3 with 23,300 euros in entry price. However, this is also a bit simpler (crank window in the back). Rather, it is crucial that the price difference in the panda between Stromer and hybrid is a whopping 6000 euros. And electric driving may be pleasant, but is it worth potential customers so much surcharge? After all, it's about a price -sensitive segment.

The 3999 millimeter long city flea is not a bad car, on the contrary. Although 113 hp output and 44 kWh of battery capacity (lithium iron phosphate) indicate a rather minimalist drive train. But the machine has a relatively light game with the 1.6 tons weighing city car. A acceleration value of 11.5 seconds does not feel rapidly, but also not phlegmatic. This is the advantage of electric motors whose torque (122 Newton meters in this case) lies early. A top speed 132 km/h underpins the factual drive.

Panda for the segment unusually comfortable

It is all the more astonishing how comfortable the Fiat Panda rolls over the poor asphalt surfaces in the Turin area. The Italian even takes long motorway upheavals with a gentle decline, as is known from larger limousines. Seen in this way, the panda goes through as a small, fine all -rounder, which you can take on more trips.

In the case of the electrical version, you naturally have to squint at the range: it is 320 kilometers according to WLTP standard. That should work in mild temperatures, not in the case of cold. The “heat pump” vocabulary does not appear in the price list, just as little as the noun “battery heating”. Could therefore be that 27 minutes for charging the battery from 20 to 80 percent are torn at strict frost.

Let's not do anything about the plane of charging stops not much at the hat and sometimes like to take the panda on more distant tours will find his luck in the hybrid. Fiat finally offers him. When asked “Panda or competitor?” However, the Italians are well equipped and should be able to convince some potential customers for the segment.

For example, with its smart interior design, which not only looks relatively extensive, but is also designed. In addition to trouble blobs on the ventilation nozzles, there are plenty of display and – at least with the more expensive equipment line “La Prima” (3000 euros surcharge) – lushly looking floors, that's what you have to call. However, the armchairs in the style of a club set could deliver a touch more.

In addition, the LA Prima also offers features such as parkpiepser, reversing camera and seat heating. On the other hand, there is neither a keyless locking system for money nor good words, so the panda always has to be started with a classic key – even the electrically powered variant. Some people say austerity measure, but at the panda the key goes smoothly as a retro. In any case, the Grande Panda cannot be accused of lack of coolness. So the panda does not have to be afraid of the Chinese competition, nor in front of other European or Japanese.