15 Mins with a cheeky Italian....

Shifty · 23-01-2007, 16:22

I have just returned from a 15 minute unaccompanied test drive

Ok, Fiat Panda's, not to everyone's taste at all. I can see that. Car was pretty much identical in appearance to this one .........

Pleasant, subtle, and sportyish. Discreet too.
I flicked open the VAG'esqe keyfob, and sat on the pleasantly firm bolstered driving seat. Adjusted my position, mirrors etc. The dash was a bit "in your face" with it totally dominating the centre of the car. Not unpleasant though, and i soon got used to it. Stubby gear lever comes out of the dash, a little in the style of a Type R Civic. 6 speed too

So...I started the engine, and to my amazement, it didn't rattle. It sounded "sporty". Almost like a non fuel injected car. I selected first gear and set off, destination Weeton - My local "test track"

The car was already warm, as it had just arrived back at the showroom. So I got onto the dual carriageway near the dealers, obeying the speed limits of course, and kicked it's f**king head in

. I wasn't really expecting much to happen when I pressed the throttle pedal, and I was suprised. Shocked almost with the way it picked up pace. Revving to 7k, i changed up, 2nd - 3rd, 4th, hard on the brakes for the roundabout, blip on the throttle, into second, nothing coming.......quick flick left, then right, then left again - off the throttle for the last flick....the back stepped out

Sweet.
Back up through the amazingly pleasurable gearbox. Next roundabout - turn in, off the gas, lift of oversteer - i was grinning with the grin you can only get from an "old school" hot hatch - 205 Gti, Ax Gt, Nove Gsi etc....back on the power....the little 1.4 16 valve engine was screaming at me.....7k every change, and it loved it. It sounded so good, it almost begged me to use every last rev.
Traffic was a little heavy at this point, so i took my time to the next traffic lights. 6th gear at 40 mph.....very quiet, smooth, almost refined. Odd.
The lights change, im first in line, I have also pushed the "sport" button. This makes the steering heavier, and the throttle more responsive so it says in the book. I'll give it a try. I bury the throttle as I turn right off the main road, no wheelspin, just traction, and that glorious induction noise from an Italian engine.
I went almost flat out, all the way down the bumpy and very twisty lanes to the "end of the circuit". I rarely used the brakes at all. Shame, as they are a pleasure to use. Very good feedback, and they bite hard. I took the S bends at a few MPH more than I felt comfortable at on entry, throttle hard down....it just turned in, and followed exactly where I put the car. I was still grinning......alot.
I eased into the Village, turned the car around, turned off the climate control, wound down the window, and went for it. Full launch. Grip is amazing, and I mean amazing. Again, flat out all the way back, (s)mile after mile, the car only unsettling over the biggest of bumps in the road. It was the rear that was unsettled, quite unexpectedly in a straight line too, bounced from one side to the other and back again. Foot down, adrenaline rush, more grins. I was almost laughing to myself now.
Again, traffic stemmed my pace as I rejoined the dual carriageway, so I enjoyed the pleasant and quiet drive to the motorway roundabout.....nothing coming, 3rd, foot down hard, didn't lift untill the apex of the first turn in point, lift, back steps out - omfg - im in heaven.....
Smooth line round, down the slip, amazed at the numbers on the speedo. Moves well for a little 'un

. Left at the next roundabout, on/off/on/off the throttle, teasing the rear of the car....it felt f**king fantastic. I didn't want to return to the dealer

.
I parked it up when I got back, and took the keys in, looking back over my shoulder.
I want that car

Chris GB · 23-01-2007, 16:34

Nice writ up. Evo magazine have been raving about the Panda sporting / Panda 100hp recently. Nice to see that a manufacturer can still make a fun to drive car without it costing huge money.

Chris

bengie · 23-01-2007, 16:39

supposed to be awesome, and under 10K on the road too

WW_VRS · 23-01-2007, 16:39

Sounds like you enjoyed that drive then

Dr Zoidberg · 23-01-2007, 16:49

Wait till the Abarth version follows then buy that one instead Shifty

Shifty · 23-01-2007, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Zoidberg

Wait till the Abarth version follows then buy that one instead Shifty

I'm not going to buy one......just wanted to see what Evo were talking about. I'm hanging on for the 500 Abarth

ric04vrs · 23-01-2007, 17:33

nice review Dave , i may go and test it myself and the Punto Sporting

vRSLen · 23-01-2007, 20:54

Well written Dave, nice to know that Fiat can get it right some times.

Fluffmeister · 23-01-2007, 21:07

I had one of these "marked" out for the Mrs, .......... she bought a Polo 1.2

I love small Fiats, when she had here old Punto HGT she never got to drive it, I had it all the time, weighed nowt, had aircon, satnav and lot's of toys as standard and revved like a looney. They do know how to make great small cars and it's good to see Fiat getting back in their groove

johnjohnhealy · 23-01-2007, 21:13

Fiat nearly always get the driving experience right, as do Alfa and Lancia, unfortunately it's the owning experience that can let them down, although I've been raving on about Alfas for years and how reliable they are now, so I guess Fiat should be no different!

pittVRS · 23-01-2007, 21:45

I had a couple of Cinq Sports about ten years ago, they were great liitle cars to drive. No power steering, chunky little wheel, and weighed next to nowt. The sports suspension and short wheelbase made them a great chuckable little car and it could keep up with bigger and better cars on a country road.

It's just a shame the 2nd one poisoned me against Fiat forever more. A faulty ECU cost me £3 K in repairs about a month after the warranty ran out. Fiat stumped up £500 as I'd complained about it since I bought it but none of the dealers could find owt wrong.

Johnwg · 23-01-2007, 22:02

They do make sweet little engines that just loved to be reved... one of my fav cars was the little yellow 1.1 Secentio Sporting I had 5 years ago, every drive brought a smile to my face

johnjohnhealy · 23-01-2007, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by pittVRS

I had a couple of Cinq Sports about ten years ago, they were great liitle cars to drive. No power steering, chunky little wheel, and weighed next to nowt. The sports suspension and short wheelbase made them a great chuckable little car and it could keep up with bigger and better cars on a country road.

It's just a shame the 2nd one poisoned me against Fiat forever more. A faulty ECU cost me £3 K in repairs about a month after the warranty ran out. Fiat stumped up £500 as I'd complained about it since I bought it but none of the dealers could find owt wrong.

Hmmm, thats given me an idea for 2008's Scumball vehicle, as my mate wants something small and chuckable instead of the big saloons I prefer.

Last year I took the Alfa 75 3.0 V6
This year i'm taking a supercharged Rover sd1 3.5 V8

What engine could I shoehorn into a cinquecento to make it proper fast on a budget?

Lady Elanore · 23-01-2007, 22:06

Nice read Dave. I just luuuuuurve small FIATS and I’m so pleased they seem to be making a comeback at last. Can’t wait for a spin in your new 500

.....pretty please with kn@bs on.

mluton · 23-01-2007, 23:08

Nice read indeed. A nice small sporty number it seems.

ric04vrs · 23-01-2007, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnjohnhealy

Hmmm, thats given me an idea for 2008's Scumball vehicle, as my mate wants something small and chuckable instead of the big saloons I prefer.

Last year I took the Alfa 75 3.0 V6
This year i'm taking a supercharged Rover sd1 3.5 V8

What engine could I shoehorn into a cinquecento to make it proper fast on a budget?

i know the 80 bhp 1.2 , 16v engine fits in , just , that was one of the mods i read about when i had my Cinq sporting , its a tighter fit in the Seicento due to the rounder front

i always liked the Cinqs handling better than the Seicento , that just didn't seem as chuckable

Fluffmeister · 23-01-2007, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric04vrs

i know the 80 bhp 1.2 , 16v engine fits in , just , that was one of the mods i read about when i had my Cinq sporting , its a tighter fit in the Seicento due to the rounder front

i always liked the Cinqs handling better than the Seicento , that just didn't seem as chuckable

the 1.2 8v goes straight in to the seicento, and novotech do a turbo kit for it ....... I know this works well

pittVRS · 24-01-2007, 00:11

This Cinq owner appears to have done some work on his, but he doesn't list the mods unfortunately.

Here's another link to Fiat Forum Pimp My Cinq

Wardy · 24-01-2007, 00:19

Great write-up Dave, enjoyed reading that. It was like being there with you

Glad you liked it, I think they look superb. Picked one out for a holiday rental in the summer and liked it a lot, certainly better than the usual stuff you get given

- think it was the 1.2 version but still a lot of fun, lots of grip and feedback. Was impressed with the interior - design, finish, quality - the lot. No issues or rattles and this was a rental.

Will see what the Abarth brings

Steve

Lady Elanore · 24-01-2007, 00:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wardy

Will see what the Abarth brings

Steve

I’m looking forward to it too. But I will be ‘stotting’ if FIAT louse it up and use the once great name of Abarth to do a bit of badge engineering with. Look what happened to Ghia…..thank you Ford!

and it's not like me to do a smilie like that one either, I think I need a lie down now.

23-01-2007, 16:22	#1
Shifty Cereal Killer Join Date: May 2005 Location: The home of witty banter™ Posts: 6,231 Thanks: 71 Thanked 145 Times in 83 Posts	15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... I have just returned from a 15 minute unaccompanied test drive Ok, Fiat Panda's, not to everyone's taste at all. I can see that. Car was pretty much identical in appearance to this one ......... Pleasant, subtle, and sportyish. Discreet too. I flicked open the VAG'esqe keyfob, and sat on the pleasantly firm bolstered driving seat. Adjusted my position, mirrors etc. The dash was a bit "in your face" with it totally dominating the centre of the car. Not unpleasant though, and i soon got used to it. Stubby gear lever comes out of the dash, a little in the style of a Type R Civic. 6 speed too So...I started the engine, and to my amazement, it didn't rattle. It sounded "sporty". Almost like a non fuel injected car. I selected first gear and set off, destination Weeton - My local "test track" The car was already warm, as it had just arrived back at the showroom. So I got onto the dual carriageway near the dealers, obeying the speed limits of course, and kicked it's fking head in . I wasn't really expecting much to happen when I pressed the throttle pedal, and I was suprised. Shocked almost with the way it picked up pace. Revving to 7k, i changed up, 2nd - 3rd, 4th, hard on the brakes for the roundabout, blip on the throttle, into second, nothing coming.......quick flick left, then right, then left again - off the throttle for the last flick....the back stepped out Sweet. Back up through the amazingly pleasurable gearbox. Next roundabout - turn in, off the gas, lift of oversteer - i was grinning with the grin you can only get from an "old school" hot hatch - 205 Gti, Ax Gt, Nove Gsi etc....back on the power....the little 1.4 16 valve engine was screaming at me.....7k every change, and it loved it. It sounded so good, it almost begged me to use every last rev. Traffic was a little heavy at this point, so i took my time to the next traffic lights. 6th gear at 40 mph.....very quiet, smooth, almost refined. Odd. The lights change, im first in line, I have also pushed the "sport" button. This makes the steering heavier, and the throttle more responsive so it says in the book. I'll give it a try. I bury the throttle as I turn right off the main road, no wheelspin, just traction, and that glorious induction noise from an Italian engine. I went almost flat out, all the way down the bumpy and very twisty lanes to the "end of the circuit". I rarely used the brakes at all. Shame, as they are a pleasure to use. Very good feedback, and they bite hard. I took the S bends at a few MPH more than I felt comfortable at on entry, throttle hard down....it just turned in, and followed exactly where I put the car. I was still grinning......alot. I eased into the Village, turned the car around, turned off the climate control, wound down the window, and went for it. Full launch. Grip is amazing, and I mean amazing. Again, flat out all the way back, (s)mile after mile, the car only unsettling over the biggest of bumps in the road. It was the rear that was unsettled, quite unexpectedly in a straight line too, bounced from one side to the other and back again. Foot down, adrenaline rush, more grins. I was almost laughing to myself now. Again, traffic stemmed my pace as I rejoined the dual carriageway, so I enjoyed the pleasant and quiet drive to the motorway roundabout.....nothing coming, 3rd, foot down hard, didn't lift untill the apex of the first turn in point, lift, back steps out - omfg - im in heaven..... Smooth line round, down the slip, amazed at the numbers on the speedo. Moves well for a little 'un . Left at the next roundabout, on/off/on/off the throttle, teasing the rear of the car....it felt fking fantastic. I didn't want to return to the dealer . I parked it up when I got back, and took the keys in, looking back over my shoulder. I want that car __________________ Official 0 to 60 mph - 5.85 seconds. Standing 1/4 mile - 14.3 seconds. 251.5 BHP and 400 lbs/ft of torque. Oh - and 55 mpg on a run Everyone knows someone called Dave. And here I am Last edited by Shifty; 23-01-2007 at 16:23.

23-01-2007, 16:34	#2
Chris GB Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East UK Posts: 2,557 Thanks: 17 Thanked 43 Times in 26 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... Nice writ up. Evo magazine have been raving about the Panda sporting / Panda 100hp recently. Nice to see that a manufacturer can still make a fun to drive car without it costing huge money. Chris __________________ Red Fabia vRS. Gone but not forgotten. Chilli Red / white Mini Cooper Diesel with dual controls. Silver 53 MR2. Mods: PPE 4>1 manifold \| PPE Mangnaflow high flow cat \| Blueflame catback exhaust \| Pikey inlet mod \| 3.0 Racing Chassis stiffening brace kit \| BC Racing fully adjustable coilovers \| TF loud. Details here My MR2 Page

23-01-2007, 16:39	#3
bengie splash!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: planet earth Posts: 15,005 Thanks: 15 Thanked 132 Times in 115 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... supposed to be awesome, and under 10K on the road too __________________ owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

23-01-2007, 16:39	#4
WW_VRS Escorted Estate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxfordshire/Berkshire Posts: 9,746 Thanks: 44 Thanked 70 Times in 61 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... Sounds like you enjoyed that drive then __________________ WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there) Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

23-01-2007, 16:49	#5
Dr Zoidberg Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the back of an AA truck with a failed turbo Posts: 10,557 Thanks: 25 Thanked 186 Times in 137 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... Wait till the Abarth version follows then buy that one instead Shifty __________________ Alex "I laugh in the face of danger, then I hide until it goes away" www.drzoidberg.co.uk

23-01-2007, 17:33	#7
ric04vrs I parked up 1st Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: not near enough to the Ring Posts: 6,106 Thanks: 29 Thanked 177 Times in 172 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... nice review Dave , i may go and test it myself and the Punto Sporting __________________ not so bored now

23-01-2007, 20:54	#8
vRSLen Bully Bully :) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 169 Thanked 180 Times in 125 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... Well written Dave, nice to know that Fiat can get it right some times. __________________ Current car: Black MKII Octavia vRS Combi Previous: Black MKI Octavia vRS Combi Black Fabia Elegance 100 BHP

23-01-2007, 21:07	#9
Fluffmeister Hi! I'm Vermin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North West UK Posts: 3,222 Thanks: 70 Thanked 125 Times in 99 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... I had one of these "marked" out for the Mrs, .......... she bought a Polo 1.2 I love small Fiats, when she had here old Punto HGT she never got to drive it, I had it all the time, weighed nowt, had aircon, satnav and lot's of toys as standard and revved like a looney. They do know how to make great small cars and it's good to see Fiat getting back in their groove __________________ All you need in life is HERE The path to enlightenment lies before you ..... HERE Briskoda Bikers social group > Clicky

23-01-2007, 21:13	#10
johnjohnhealy Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: UK south east Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... Fiat nearly always get the driving experience right, as do Alfa and Lancia, unfortunately it's the owning experience that can let them down, although I've been raving on about Alfas for years and how reliable they are now, so I guess Fiat should be no different!

23-01-2007, 21:45	#11
pittVRS Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off The Wagon Posts: 5,057 Thanks: 140 Thanked 103 Times in 73 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... I had a couple of Cinq Sports about ten years ago, they were great liitle cars to drive. No power steering, chunky little wheel, and weighed next to nowt. The sports suspension and short wheelbase made them a great chuckable little car and it could keep up with bigger and better cars on a country road. It's just a shame the 2nd one poisoned me against Fiat forever more. A faulty ECU cost me £3 K in repairs about a month after the warranty ran out. Fiat stumped up £500 as I'd complained about it since I bought it but none of the dealers could find owt wrong. __________________

23-01-2007, 22:02	#12
Johnwg Turkish Delight Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 2,019 Thanks: 66 Thanked 47 Times in 46 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... They do make sweet little engines that just loved to be reved... one of my fav cars was the little yellow 1.1 Secentio Sporting I had 5 years ago, every drive brought a smile to my face

23-01-2007, 22:06	#14
Lady Elanore Geordie Lass Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: in the ceiling watching you..... Posts: 10,256 Thanks: 214 Thanked 206 Times in 116 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... Nice read Dave. I just luuuuuurve small FIATS and I’m so pleased they seem to be making a comeback at last. Can’t wait for a spin in your new 500 .....pretty please with kn@bs on. __________________ . Amanda

23-01-2007, 23:08	#15
mluton Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Birmingham Posts: 6,358 Thanks: 46 Thanked 223 Times in 197 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... Nice read indeed. A nice small sporty number it seems. __________________ Support Briskoda----------------------> Red Skoda Octavia V//RS Mods to date: Carbonio CAI Forge 007 DV Aero Wipers Briskoda Stickers KVW100 GB Wheel Inserts RS Tuning Remap Delocked Piper Cat Back Kenwood KDC-W6541U Fli Twin 12" Active Sub Parrot CK3100 *------------------------------------------------*

24-01-2007, 00:11	#18
pittVRS Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off The Wagon Posts: 5,057 Thanks: 140 Thanked 103 Times in 73 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... This Cinq owner appears to have done some work on his, but he doesn't list the mods unfortunately. Here's another link to Fiat Forum Pimp My Cinq __________________ Last edited by pittVRS; 24-01-2007 at 00:28.

24-01-2007, 00:19	#19
Wardy 200/370 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,019 Thanks: 402 Thanked 299 Times in 287 Posts	Re: 15 Mins with a cheeky Italian.... Great write-up Dave, enjoyed reading that. It was like being there with you Glad you liked it, I think they look superb. Picked one out for a holiday rental in the summer and liked it a lot, certainly better than the usual stuff you get given - think it was the 1.2 version but still a lot of fun, lots of grip and feedback. Was impressed with the interior - design, finish, quality - the lot. No issues or rattles and this was a rental. Will see what the Abarth brings Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae Last edited by Wardy; 24-01-2007 at 00:20.

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