By Philip Devine
There are cars for tackling off-road conditions, cars built for speed and handling and cars built to transport a family and their holiday goods (including the kitchen sink). But it seems many manufacturers have forgotten cars built to celebrate the spirit of fun.
Fiat's Panda 100 is fun personified. Usually I spend the first few days with a test vehicle poring over the manual and taking it down some favourite roads to check acceleration, power and handling. After just a few minutes in the Panda, I couldn't have cared less about all that.
It's like a kart with a windscreen. Not that Fiat has scrimped on the extras, mind you. There are power windows (in the front), air conditioning, radio CD/MP3 player, trip data computer, window demisters, adjustable headlights, crash bags and even a wiper on the rear window.
Packs a punch for its size
Despite being on the diminutive side (3.5m long and l.6m wide) when compared with many other vehicles on the road, the Panda's appearance and performance dispel any concerns that this is another low-end runabout for the suburbs. The bulbous badge, low skirts and honeycomb diffusers on the front and rear give the car a cheeky appearance. If Noddy were working for the Devil, this is what he would drive.
It's so naughty my wife has banned me from ever buying one. I can have a Jeep Commander with a hulking engine, she says, but the Panda is verboten because it's bringing out the bad boy in me.
It's because the 975kg body is fitted with a 1.4-litre engine that puts out 100Hp (That's just short of 75kW) at 6000rpm and a six-speed gearbox with a short throw and slick changes. Add some 195/45 low-profile tread to the mix and you have a vehicle that moves like mercury in a Teflon-coated pan.
No comfort sacrificed
Interior space is put to work economically. I'm not too sure if the beefier of us would like the Panda's cabin but the seats are comfortable and the closely-together pedals make for snappy gear changes and quick braking. The gear lever is high in the centre divide, as are controls for the windows, air conditioner and just about everything else.
It all has a quality feel and appearance and the quick response from the controls - like the air conditioner that feels like it could freeze water in seconds - made me feel very comfortable indeed.
The handling is sharp but the light body feels unstable over bigger bumps and through corners. After throwing it around for a while I realised this sensation is mostly because I've driven heavier cars that are less affected by road surfaces. Still, the Panda remains glued to the road even when pushed hard. Be careful with the steering, though; you can end up creating some nasty oversteer until you get accustomed to its sensitivity.
It also pulls and handles well with a full load. There's only room for two in the rear but they can sit very comfortably and the legroom is deeper and wider than some double-cab bakkies I've driven. There's also not much room in the boot but it's perfect for groceries and the odd schoolbag or two. Face it, you're not going to be driving cross-country with this car anyway.
S is for super performance
Just when I thought I had seen all the Panda had to offer I discovered the sport button. Come on, I thought, it's already quick so what difference could a sport setting make? A huge one, I discovered. A jab of the button on the console and the car's throttle and braking response from the four discs (ventilated front, solid rear) becomes ultra-sharp. I nearly put the Panda into a car version of a handstand when I first stabbed at the brakes.
Put your foot down and the car takes off with astonishing speed, accompanied by a baby-bear growl from the exhaust. The rev counter shoots up to redline but the engine shows no sign of strain or faltering and the speed piles on rapidly. Couple that with sharp steering response and you can throw the Panda in and out of traffic or snaky bends with ease.
It all provided me with huge confidence that quickly made me a cocky driver. It was difficult to remain in check when there was so much fun to be had. It was at these times that my navigator-cum-wife flashed me one of her chilling stares and reminded me that kids should be seated in the rear, not the driver's seat.
I'm going to miss this car. Looks like I'll need to find a Panda owner in my area and sneak out late at night - using the excuse of an extra karate training session - so that I can indulge in the naughty temptations offered by this fiery Italian number.
Panda Family
The Panda is available in a number of variants, from the 1.1-litre Active to a 4x4 model, but take the Panda 100 if you're looking for an added thrill.
Prices
All Panda models come with a three-year or 100 000km warranty and a year's roadside assistance; service intervals are 20 000km.
- 1.1 Active - R89 900
- 1.2 Dynamic - R106 000
- 1.4 100HP - R124 900
- 1.4 Climbing 4x4 - R147 800