2006 Fiat Panda MultiEco pictures and wallpaper

Image credits: © Fiat.

2006 Fiat Panda MultiEco news, pictures, and information

The Panda MultiEco show-car makes its world debut in Geneva; Fiat sees this unit as the future of cars with a low environmental impact: the concept car represents the most advanced frontier achievable in terms of emissions and consumption, synergically combining technologies that already exist or are ready for industrialisation.

The show-car combines an innovative ‘powertrain' architecture – an engine with dual petrol/methane fuel supply, MTA transmission and BAS device – with the use of eco-compatible materials (recycled, recyclable or of natural origin) for the exterior and interior.

The result is made even more interesting by the painstaking optimisation of the aerodynamics and a significant weight reduction.

In detail: the Panda MultiEco is equipped with a dual-fuel (methane and petrol) FIRE engine – future developments will also make it possible to use a methane/hydrogen mix – combined with a BAS (Belt-driven Alternator-Starter) device and a Dualogic robotised gearbox.

The first device, which is at once an electric generator and starter motor, makes for easier starting and more efficient electricity generation. The innovative MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) gearbox on the other hand makes for optimal management of gear changes and outstanding mechanical efficiency.

The automated transmission paves the way for ‘intelligent' management of the on/off state of the engine. By controlling the clutch, the system disengages the internal combustion engine from the transmission whenever drive is not required and the engine can be turned off. It is restarted, immediately and silently, by a reversible electric motor, known as BAS (Belt-driven Alternator-Starter) which replaces the alternator on the belt circuit and performs the dual role of starter motor and electric generator.

What is more, in addition to its exclusive built-in propulsion system, the Panda MultiEco incorporates interesting improvements in the fields of aerodynamics (Cd of 0.295) and weight reduction. Suffice it to say that the show-car weighs 92 kg less than the methane version that will soon go into production, thanks to the use of a number of components (engine bonnet and tailgate) made with thermoplastic materials, the adoption of ‘stripped' seats which are pre-assembled in pairs on carriers, and of cylinders to store the methane made of high-yield steel and carbon fibre.

The Panda MultiEco is fitted with Pirelli tyres that are state of the art; they have an innovative pattern and constant-wear tread, and a mix that has low hysteresis but guarantees the same elasticity and grip on both wet and dry surfaces.

The innovative lay-out of the methane cylinder storage system is unique for a city car, thanks to the Panda's modular floorpan (the CNG cylinders are positioned under the floorpan, one longitudinally in the central tunnel, and the other, with a capacity of 50 litres, transversally under the rear floor), guaranteeing a methane range of over 350 km without detracting from the roominess of the car or the luggage compartment in any way.

The combination of these solutions, which were developed within the Fiat Group (Fiat Auto, Fiat Powertrain Technologies and Centro Ricerche Fiat), together with the use of proprietary control strategies, means that the new show-car guarantees a drastic reduction in emissions.
CO2 emissions in particular are 42% lower than those of the petrol version in the urban cycle and 32% lower in the NEDC cycle, reaching a value of 90 g/km in this case. In terms of emissions, this result is added to the benefits of methane propulsion, which is the only solution realistically possible today that could help to significantly raise the quality of exhaust emissions, particularly those of substances responsible for photochemical smog, with a considerable impact on human health. The other advantages for customers are lower consumption and the lower cost of methane, which therefore means a substantial reduction in the relative cost per kilometre (-63%).

To sum up, the Panda MultiEco is further proof of Fiat's commitment to the protection of the environment, not only to meet even more stringent European limits in future but also to achieve a significant reduction in consumption without penalising the performance or functionality of the car. In the short-term, this commitment will take the form of the launch of the Panda Natural Power, the new methane and petrol dual-fuel version, later in the year.

Source - FIAT AUTO S.p.A.

A city car, the Panda was introduced by the Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat in 1989. The first generation ran until 2003 with only minor changes and was received with great success all throughout Europe, and polled 2nd in the European Car of the Year award in just its first full year of production. The second generation was introduced in 2003 and had the distinct honor of being named the European Car of the Year for 2004. The original Fiat Panda came in three body style; 3-door hatchback, cabriolet and van and it featured an overall length of 131.5 inches. The Panda was styled and designed by Giorgetta Giugiaro as a modern day 'peasant car'. Easy to use and maintain, the Panda was an inexpensive, no-frills utility vehicle.

The Panda featured box-like styling; which eventually became the standard style for Fiats through the 1980s. The originally Pandas borrowed quite heavily from the Fiat parts bins, the engines and transmissions were taken from the Fiat 127 and the air-cooled 652 cc two-cylinder power-plant from the Fiat 126. The rear suspension drive used a dead axle that was suspended on leaf springs. Panda versions of later years added various mechanical improvements, though the spirit of ‘robust simplicity' has always remained in the design of the Panda.

The utility side of the Panda was evidenced in the 7-position adjustable rear seat that could be folded flat to transform into a bed, or folded into a V shape to make room for awkward loads, or it could quickly and easily be removed completely to increase the overall load space. The seat covers were removable and washable as well as the door trims and dashboard cover. All of the glass panels were flat which made making replacements easy and very cheap to produce. The Panda could be purchased with a full-length roll back canvas roof, much like earlier French counterparts.

The original Panda, the Mark 1 was first introduced with either a two cylinder air-cooled 652 cc engine; the Panda 30, or a four-cylinder water cooled engine that displaced 903 cc; the Panda 45. A practical and very affordable vehicle, the Fiat Panda was ‘sized to fit' between the 126 and 127 in the production line-up with its robust little self. More engines were added to the lineup by Fiat in September of 1982 and the Panda 34 used an 843 cc water-cooled unit that had been derived from the one in the 850.

In 1982 the Panda 45 Super was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show and models of the older specification remained as the 'Comfort' trim. A variety of improvements were offered in the Super, the main one being the availability of a five-speed gearbox and newly improved trim. The Super underwent minor styling that included adding Fiat's new black plastic 'corporate' grille with five diagonal silver bars. The Comfort models retained the earlier grill design of metal with slots on the left for ventilation until the next major revision of the line-up. In February of '83, a 30 Super was added to the lineup with a smaller engine, but featuring the Super trim.

In June of '83, the Panda 4x4 was introduced and was powered by a 965 cc engine with 48 bhp that was derived from the one in the Autobianchi A112. Simply dubbed the Panda 4x4, this was the first ever compact, transverse-engined production vehicle that came with a 4WD system.

In November of 1984, the range received minor revisions that including renaming the 'L', 'CL' and the 'S'. The entire range also received new detailing and specifications that included adopting the Fiat corporate grille on all models. The vehicles remained basically the same mechanically.

The Mark II Original Panda was introduced in January of 1986 and a host of significant mechanical updates were unveiled in this new model. A 796 cc water-cooled 4-cyl unit replaced the 652 cc engine and a 999 cc replaced the 903 cc unit. With a single overhead camshaft, both new engines came from Fiat's new FIRE family of 4 cylinder water-cooled powerplants. Another upgrade to the Panda was the rear suspension as the leaf springs were replaced with a much more modern independent suspension system that used a rigid rear axle with coil springs and a central mounting.

The inside of the Panda and the structure itself also received improvements. The earlier Panda's had an aptitude to rust, so the body was strengthened and fully galvanized on later models. The outside rear panel was updated to now included flared arches that mimicked the ones on the front weeks and completely replaced the un-sculpted style that was found on earlier models. The doors also received an update that included deleting the quarter light windows and replacing them with a full width roll-down window. Unfortunately the bottom seam of the MK II's door still had the original tendency to rust. This range ran in an ascending order of cost and specification; 750L, 750CL, 750S, 1000CL, 1000S and 4x4.

A 1301 cc diesel engine was introduced in April of 1986 and it came with 37 bhp. This engine was only available in the basic 'L' trim and was fitted as standard with a five speed gearbox. The Panda also introduced a van variant tat came with both diesel and petrol engines. The Panda Van was basically a standard Panda without rear seats and the rear windows were replaced with plastic blanking panels and a small black plastic extension with side hinged doors rather than the usual hatchback tailgate. In the right hand markets either the van or the diesel was available.

A new entry level model was introduced in 187, the 'Panda Young' which was basically an L spec vehicle with a 76 cc OHV engine that was based on the old 903 cc push-rod engine. It produced the same 34 bhp with the more sophisticated 769 cc FIRE unit. Also introduced this year was the Panda 4X4 Sisley limited edition that was based on the standard 4X4 but it came with metallic paint, sunroof, inclinometer, roof rack, white painted wheels, bonnet scoop, headlamp washers and 'Sisley' badging and trim. When it was first created, the Sisley model was originally limited to only 500 units, but it became a permanent model due to its extreme popularity.

Introduced in 1990, the two-seat Panda Elettra joined the lineup and added an all-electric powertrain. Replacing the rear seat was batteries, and it also occupied some of the engine bay were the 19 bhp DC motor was also placed, driving through the normal clutch and gearbox. The car's weight was up to 2535 lbs, and required stiffer suspension and up-rated brakes. Two years later the Ellettra received a power increase to 23.8 bhp and a reduction in weight, though the Elettra continued to remain the heaviest model in the Panda line.

The MK II underwent a significant facelift in 1991 and the changes included a new front grille and a smaller five-bar corporate badge, while the whole lineup received trim revisions and specifications. New for this year was the 'Selecta' which came with an electromagnetic clutch and a continuously variable transmission. This more elite transmission was available either with the normal 999 cc FIRE engine and could be revised with a single-point fuel injection and a catalytic converter. Other options included an all new 1108 cc FIRE unit that was fitted with electronic fuel injection and a three-way catalytic converter and could produce 51 bhp.

The all new CLX trim came with a five-speed gearbox as standard. The Panda line now included the 750 Young, 750 and 750 CLX, 900 Dance, 1000 Shopping, CLX, CL Selecta and S, 1100 CL Selecta and the 4X4 Trekking and Elettra. The 999 cc unit with SPI and catalytic converter was replaced with the 1108 cc engine in 1992. In 1992 an 899 cc was introduced and was available in the 'Café' special edition. This edition came with a reduced capacity 903 cc unit that was designed to meet tax requirements in various markets.

The Fiat Panda was slowly phased out across Europe from 1996 on because of tightening emissions and safety legislation. Until May 2003 the Panda remained in production in Italy. The Panda has become one of Europe's longest lived small vehicles during its 23 years of production. Unfortunately most of the Mark I models have rusted, but the Mark II variant continues to remain a common sight on the roadways of continental Europe. The original Panda wasn't as popular as the VW Beetle or the 2CV, but it was a strong vehicle in its own right. The 4X4 Panda was quite a popular model due to its inexpensive price, and sturdy quality in rural areas. A 4X4 Panda Climbing version was introduced, but it didn't have the same popularity as the original model.

The newest Panda generation was introduced in 2003, and was dubbed the Model 169 during its development phase. Originally the vehicle was to be named 'Gingo', but the nomenclature was too similar to the Renault Twingo, so the Panda name continued. This new model replaced the old Panda following 23 years of production, and was the successor to the Fiat Seicento. The Seicento was still popular and continued to remain in production. The Panda, like the Seicento, was manufactured exclusively in Tychy, Poland by Fiat Auto Poland. In 2007, a smaller, 3-door Fiat was added to the lineup, the new 500.

Much of the Panda's styling cues were taken from mini SUVs and mini MPVs, especially in the tail lights which were very similar to the larger Volvo cars. In 2004 the Fiat Panda received the European Car of the Year award.

Now a four-seater, the Panda now included an option for split rear seats. From September 2005 onwards, all Fiat Pandas are equipped with ABS, EBD, stability control and a minimum of two front airbags. To make changing gears more comfortable, the gear-lever is located up high on the central dashboard, rather than the conventional floor mounted gearstick.

Fiat was under a lot of trouble financially, and the newest Panda had to be a success. Thankfully it was and more than half a million units were sold by October of 2005. It was especially popular in Italy, mostly because over half of the vehicles produced were sold in Italy. On September 5, 2007, the 1,000,000th new Panda was built; a red Panda 4X4 Climbing with the 1.2-liter petrol engine.

In 2006, the Top Gear Motoring Survey ranked the Panda 8th out of 152 vehicles that were surveyed for craftsmanship, reliability, driving experience, ownership costs and service received. For 2007 the Panda underwent minor revisions that included a new, darker dashboard and the Active model received new darker seat fabrics of better quality and a CD player.

In 2006 Fiat Panda introduced a Hydrogen Concept car that came with Nuvera's new Andromeda II fuel cell stack. With a cold start capability, the hydrogen fuel cell allowed the car to have high power density and durability. Nuvera Fuel Cells Inc., was a high-tech developer from Massachusetts and Italy who developed the Andromeda II. Fiat was excited to feature the first vehicle with this advancement.

The Hydrogen Panda came with three main fuel cell components that included an advanced turbo-blower, a humidifying and a cooling system that could correctly manage the reagent gases and the auxiliary component sets. This advanced system allowed the Panda to function at a higher capacity and featured smooth handling. The transmission and alternating current three-phase asynchronous electric engine was located underneath the hood. Utilizing a full power system, the 2006 Fiat Panda Hydrogen lacked a drive battery for the accumulation of electrical energy. The Concept receives enough energy directly from the hydrogen tank to fuel cell to deliver the necessary electricity to its high-torque electrical motors.

The '06 Panda Concept could achieve 0 to 30 mph in just five seconds and had a top speed of 78 MPH. The Fiat Panda Hydrogen Car can make it up a 23-degree slope on takeoff, unlike other low-powered hydrogen vehicles. The Concept featured a refueling time of less than five minutes and boasted a travel distance of more than 120 miles.

Jessica Donaldson

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