1983 Panda 4×4: Limited Edition
In celebration of the Fiat Panda 4×4’s 40th anniversary, the Italian auto manufacturer is outfitting a limited-edition production run – the 4×40°. Limited to a mere 1,983 units, this pays tribute to the year that the Panda 4×4 was originally introduced. The models are only available in Italy, Germany, France, and Switzerland.
Fiat went with an exquisitely ivory hue for this momentous edition, coating the outside of the car as well as the dashboard, the seat side braces, and tops of the leading chair backs. Fortunately, there is more to it than simply the new paint job.
Paying homage to the roots of the Panda, 15-inch painted white steelies are a great way to keep the simplistic appeal of the original’s traditional steel wheels.
Naturally, several 4×40° emblems can be noticed inside and out, however the best design elements are the two Panda silhouettes that appear on the decals around the C-pillar. One side of the car displays the recent model while the other one is adorned with the 1983 one. Additionally, these shapes are imprinted on the front seats.
In terms of interior design, the Panda 4×4 features standard air-conditioning, coupled with a touchscreen infotainment interface of 7-inches and a leather-covered steering wheel/shifter. Additionally, the exterior setting also includes red towing hooks, privacy glass, and black roof rails, which delicately contrast the ivory paint and the black armor bodywork.
Fiat has not given much substantive info about mechanics, although it’s straightforward by process of deduction.
In 2022, Fiat put an end to the Panda 4×4 owing to a lack of spare parts, leading to the normal edition of the model in Europe being only available with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder hybrid drivetrain. This hybrid engine was never used for the 4×4 version, and Fiat instead opted for the 1.3-liter turbo four-cylinder diesel and 0.9L turbo two-cylinder. We’re inclined to believe that the 4×4 will use that latter option, since diesel no longer enjoys the same levels of popularity all around the world.
The TwinAir engine is a marvellous masterpiece of engineering that truly shines when coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. We were lucky enough to experience the 500 with this engine, and one must adopt an Italian driving style in order to get the most out of it. To get the best out of the drive, you must rev until the pistons create a reverberation that will make the bonnet vibrate. Only then should one switch another gear.
Today’s Panda 4x4s employ a slightly more technologically-advanced all-wheel-drive system. Under normal driving circumstances, this setup dispenses just a small amount of power to the rear wheels, as opposed to solely sending power to them when the result of front wheel slip is noticed. When there is an augmented amount of slipping at the front part, the system will employ its electro-hydraulic coupling to provide an additional flow of energy to the back tires. The driver can take charge of the system and preset a 50/50 split between the front and rear axles.
The OG Panda sported an elementary part-time 4WD process without a low range. In lieu of low range, Fiat put in the Panda an exceptionally low initial gear, a maneuver the Italian company used for all 3 age groups of Panda. It may appear to be senseless, however the lightweight Panda will shame a Ford Bronco Sport in the suitable occasions.
Sadly, the Panda is not yet available in the USA, although this could possibly shift with the foreseeable EV adaptation. Conversely, you can still import a primary iteration Panda 4×4.
