If the Fiat Panda 4×4 and surprised by its qualities off-road and its great agility in all conditions, the new Panda Cross raises its off-road capabilities to a higher level. With a striking and designed to protect it from the toughest terrain aesthetics, this small TT evolves in every way and becomes the perfect ally for the mountain … and the city on the day.

And they wanted many of the current SUV 4×4 have the off-road capabilities which boasts the new Fiat Panda Cross, which we have seen in the very headquarters that the brand has in Balocco, Italy. And if the Fiat Panda 4×4 Current and proved to have more than enough qualities for off-road terrain, the new Panda Cross leads to a upper step.

By behavior, for which it has been installed for the first time function electronic locking differential (ELD) in transmission system 4X4, and three driving modes, one of hill descent control. Y aesthetically, with the Large special bumpers at the front and at the rear, the fog lights protected and located at the height of the mainstream, plastic protection spread the lower body and a lower reinforced steel shields.

To give it the character off-road we were talking about, Fiat He has risen further body Panda Cross: 161 mm for the petrol version TwinAir and 158 mm for Diesel MultiJet, thanks to redesigned springs and larger tires. The angles of attack and departure (24 ° and 34) They have also been improved, so the new Fiat Panda Cross is able to cope with smoothly ramps 70 percent incline and 55 percent camber.

To all this we must add relations especially modified first gear, more Short-, a slightly more powerful engines (+5 CV in two versions 1.3 Multijet 80 hp and 90 hp 0.9 TwinAir) and a special mixed tires M + S 15 inches. Tires and shoes that Fiat Panda 4×4, although narrower in the latter, and are capable of addressing the needs of traction on difficult surfaces.

Dual purpose

There is no doubt that the off-road behavior we just saw is the most striking and novel of the new Fiat Panda Cross. It is his character and it’s made for it. However, thanks to its small dimensions (3.70 meters long) and as a small city, is as the most suitable to deal with the daily traffic in the city. his easy parking is an argument in its favor. It shows agile, lightweight, with a large turning radius and a smooth behavior, but the interior still find us little isolated from engine noise (noise insulation therefore improve).

Asphalt conditions outside the meeting a outstanding. Agility, small size and short overhangs, coupled with its high height above the ground, allow ‘Fight’ un broken land, stones and rocks, sand, mud and even deep puddles without any problems. And if you wish, you can also come into play specific driving modes for these conditions selectable on a rotating wheel in the center console.

Besides of mode ‘Auto’, which distributes 98 percent of torque to the front wheels under normal conditions and to all four wheels when the asphalt ‘complicated’, we have at our disposal two more: mode off-road ‘, until 50 km / h, that uses both differential and ELD to distribute tensile forces to both axes uniformly depending on the terrain; and the mode ‘Hill Descent Control ‘ or HDC, which decelerates the car and acts on the brakes without the driver having to worry pedals.

Our opinion

The new Fiat Panda Cross will reach the Spanish dealers in mid-October, suited to face the difficult winter conditions in the mountains and on any terrain that put him ahead now. The starting price at European level is 19,460 euros, so we will wait for prices to Spain. For reference, the Panda 4×4 is sold in Spain from 14,550 euros.

Prices

– Fiat Panda 0.9 90 HP TwinAir Cross Stop&Start 4×4: 19,050 euros (13,150 euros or Plan Pive 6 Fiat discount and special financing conditions).

– Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet 80 hp Cross Stop&Start 4×4: 19,850 euros (14,800 euros or Plan Pive 6 Fiat discount and special financing conditions).