2013 Fiat Panda
2013 Panda Natural Power: more power, more torque, less Co2
The new Fiat Panda 4×4, including a new Natural Power version, will be making its debut at the forthcoming international Paris Motor Show in a few days. Today’s third-generation four-wheel drive Panda Natural Power is equipped with a bi-fuel (natural gas and petrol) 80 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo engine to combine all the running cost and eco-friendly advantages of natural gas with Turbo TwinAir performance.
The Panda Natural Power delivers 14% more power, 34% more torque and -20% less CO2 (only 86 g/km) than the previous model. It is equipped with a 12 kg cylinder for gas storage and a 35 litre fuel tank for petrol.
The Panda 4×4 is equipped with a “Torque on demand” transmission system with two differentials and electronically controlled coupling. This is a permanent four-wheel drive system managed by an electronic control unit which, by analysing vehicle signals, distributes traction on the front and rear axle homogenously and proportionally according to road grip conditions. The advantages of this system are entirely automatic operation and no maintenance.
The Panda 4×4 features the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system with ELD (Electronic Locking Differential) function as standard. This system provides additional assistance while driving and setting off uphill on slippery terrain (snow, ice, mud etc.).
Fiat has selected two tried and tested suspension layouts: an independent MacPherson arrangement at the front and an interconnected wheel with torsion beam layout at the rear, specifically developed for the four-wheel drive version. With respect to the semi-trailing arm solution of the previous generation, the rear suspension is lighter and provides better ride and acoustic comfort with the same off-road performance as before
With five doors, the car is 368 centimetres long, 167 centimetres wide and 160 centimetres high. The wheelbase is 230 centimetres long. It has a front track of 141 centimetres and a rear track of 140.
The Panda Natural Power will be available to dealers early 2013.
(This article primarily compiled using information from Fiat S.p.A. press releases)
