The Fiat Panda is one of the most famous small cars ever. Many of the super minis built today, take concepts from the Fiat Panda. The first generation of Pandas were manufactured from 1980 to 1992, although in Italy this was 1980 to 2003. Worldwide, Fiat have sold over 5 million Pandas, and so Fiat has created much revenue from the legendary Fiat Panda. First produced in 1980, it was designed to be a simple, easy to use, small utility vehicle. Design, by Giorgetto Giugiaro, seemed ‘boxy’, although there were few panels of car that were actually flat. Most panels of the car had a slight curve, for structural reasons, although all the glass in the car was completely flat. The vehicle was not built with entirely new parts, using many parts that Fiat had used in other vehicles, especially with engines and transmissions, which were taken from the Fiat 127. Despite this, the suspension aspects of the car were constructed from new parts. The front of the car was equipped with coil springs, and the rear with leaf suspension. The initial engines for the Fiat Panda consisted of a Fiat 126, 2 cylinder 650cc 30bhp engine fitted in the Panda 30, and a Fiat 127 4 cylinder 903cc, 45bhp engine, fitting in the Panda 45. A 840cc engine was also in the range, but was only added in 1982, creating the Panda 34 model. Also in 1982, the Fiat Panda 45 Super was introduced, with a new 5 speed gearbox, and some trim differences. The Panda 45 Super also was the first to use the new Panda grill; plastic black horizontal lines with the Fiat logo centered, instead of the older metal grills with vertical slots, and a smaller Fiat badge on the left. In 1983, a Panda 30 Super was introduced, also with trim adjustments, and the new plastic grill. The Fiat Panda 4×4 was also introduced in 1983. With a part time selectable 4WD system, developed by Steyr-Puch, and an Autobianchi 48bhp 965cc 4 cylinder engine, the Panda 4×4 was the first ever transversal engined small car to have a 4WD system. The gearbox, also supplied by Steyr-Puch, had an ‘ultra low’ first gear specially for off-road conditions. Second gear had the same ratio as first in the normal Panda, and so fifth gear had the same ratio as fourth in the normal Panda. Off-roading in the Panda 4×4 was impressive, with higher ground clearance, and only weighing 740kg, made the Panda 4×4 almost as capable off-road as Land Rovers and such other vehicles. In 1984, the models names were changed to ‘L’, ‘CL’, and ‘S’ instead of the ‘Panda 45’, ‘Panda 30’ layout. There were also some small changes to all the Panda models at this time, such as slightly differing trim, and external styling, of which most noticeable, was the plastic grill that had previously only been on the ‘Super’ models. Two years later, more changes took place, including the 770cc 34bhp 4 cylinder engine replacing of the 650cc 2 cylinder engine. The 903cc 4 cylinder engine was also replaced, by a 999cc 50bhp engine (also replaced the Panda 4×4 engine). A 1.3 litre diesel engine was introduced, with 37bhp, came as standard with a 5 speed gearbox, and was available in a van version (no rear windows or rear seats). Also in this year, the suspension of all Pandas was revised, and structural improvements were made. Names were also revised, with the introduction of the new engines to; 750L, 750CL, 750S (all using the 770cc 2 cylinder), and the 1000S (using the 50bhp 999cc 4 cylinder). 1987 saw the introduction to a simple fuel injection system fitted to the 999cc engines, and the Panda 4×4 was available as a higher specification ‘Sisley’ version. Catalytic converters were also added to the 999cc engines. The first major differences in the Panda range after 1987, came 5 years afterward, with the addition of a new 51bhp 1.1 litre 4 cylinder engine. This 1.1 engine also came with a more advanced catalyst, and an electronic clutch system. The Fiat Panda has been a base for many small car designs, and will always be known for it’s practicality, and basic success route. Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil
