As per the article in our club magazine "Parliamo" , Jon Dooley made the statement how Fiats engineering and capabilities were perhaps unknown to many an enthusiast. Here are a couple of links of a pariculary handy Panda rally car. Little wonder it didn't pull diff out if constantly used on tarmac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP0OMWTHiqo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Comz2YF1rTQ&feature=related

Membership Number: 10962

Will that be a 4x4?

Yes, both clips show the same car, a 4x4. Interestingly, the rally stages shown are obviously a mixture of loose and muddy terrain as well as standard tarmac. I can only presume the driver was engaging the rear diff to operate the 4x4 system on the loose surfaces, but keeping to the front wheel drive, only, whilst on the tarmac. The reason being, the 4x4 is not permanent and designed primarily for slippery or adverse conditions only, otherwise it can damage the diff- or so I'm told.

The car sits on the road in a very level squat fashion, lower than you would expect for a 4x4 , but that maybe due to the appaearance of the bigger/ fatter wheels- which suit the car very well. Craching stuff to watch though.

Membership Number: 10962

The "damage the diffs" answer.
As we know, all the wheels rotate at different speeds in corners, hence a diff to allow that for the driven ones. With the car parked, mark all four wheels at the bottom with a bit of chalk. Drive a short distance and observe they'll all be in different places.
With a permanent 4x4 a centre diff is needed as the fronts and rears rotate at different speeds. Without a centre diff, the front and rear will fight, leading at best to one or more wheel being forced to slip, or at worst "gear wind up" which can break gearbox internals. Used to affect Land Rovers before the modern 90 and 110, especially if on-road tyres were fitted to the front wheels and chunky ones at the rear. In four-wheel drive the gearbox would start to complain in just a few yards!

Membership Number: 4815

So does the Panda 4x4 have a centre diff or not? It's a Q with serious intent, having been snowed in twice last winter. Is A Panda 4x4 any good in ice/snow?

The original Panda 4x4 definitely does not have a centre diff. This is no problem in ice or snow, as you just engage 4wd in these conditions. Once back onto good surface, disengage the 4wd. As far as I'm aware, the current Panda 4x4 does not have a centre diff either, but will engage and disengage 4wd as it deems necessary.

Either will do a great job if we ever get any more snow.

The original model was always highly rated when tested and I believe used a lot by police forces in Switzerland on the snowy mountains and possible by Austria and Italy too.

Top Gear magazine tested a current panda 4x4 against a Range Rover, a Cayenne and an Audi A6 quattro. For comfort they chose any of the others, but the Panda was the one they enjoyed the most in the snowy mountains.

Membership Number: 4815

The original Panda is absolutely stunning in ice & snow. Was moving quite happily where only the "proper" Land Rovers could go - none of the so called 4wd Mitsubishi's etc were moving on the hills here either! Get a good one & stick some decent tyres on - it also happens to be a hoot to drive and be appreciating in value for good measure. The 4wd is not meant to be used over about 40/45mph but to be honest if you've had to use 4wd you would be mad going faster.........

I understand the new one is also extremely good offroad - fifth gear nearly beat a £65k Range Rover in it, so it must be pretty competent.

Gavin

Membership Number: 5260