10 Reasons why my Fiat Panda 100HP is still the best car in the world
If anyone can prove me wrong, I welcome your arguments.
A few months ago I purchased a Fiat Panda 100HP and received equal measurements of laughing/ finger pointing from unappreciative Petrolheads and accolade from fellow hot hatch fans. It is fair to say it split opinion in the DriveTribe office and community.
After 4 months of ownership, I am happy to say that the honeymoon period is still in full swing. We just can’t keep our hands off each other. The spark is still fully ignited. Sure, we have our differences, such as I really enjoy having a functioning spine, whereas the Panda 100HP thinks it is better if my spine were shattered into a million pieces every journey, but that’s just the mystery of love.
I still stand by the statement that there are no performance-dedicated cars better than my Fiat Panda 100HP for the money. I do love this debate, so I look forward to your arguments against in the comments. However, give me this chance to convince you with 10 simple, not so accurate, reasons why.
1) The engine is still a stunner
I can’t remember driving an engine that just sang with joy at high revs as much as this little 1.4-litre straight 4. That’s right, a straight 4. Straight 6 engines are so last year.
This little beast loves to be punished in the most sadistic way. If it were a human, it would make that dirty bloke from ‘50 Shades of Grey’ look like Mother Teresa.
2) The 'Sport' button makes dreams come true
Some sport buttons in this world add about 300bhp and turn the car into a literal racing car. The Panda’s sport button does much, much more.
This magical button not only, ever so slightly, firms the steering up for razor sharp handling, it also increases the throttle response under 3000rpm. This increase in throttle response is actually not noticeable because it was already so good…
3) Central mounted gearbox
I don’t know why I love the central mounted gearbox so much. It is the same with the Civic Type-R EP3. It just sits right when you want to make an unexpected gear change. You've been following a Honda Jazz for 12 miles and a short straight emerges, time to react. The gear-stick is perfectly positioned for this reactive change-down so you can smoke this 83 year-old fool. (In a safe manner of course).
4) Hot hatch vibes
There is something that the Panda 100HP has in spades and that is the hot hatch vibes. There are some hot hatches that try and shun their small car status with too much power or an automatic gearbox, but not the Panda 100HP. Everything about it embodies the genre. Plucky engine, go-kart steering, cheap to insure, bone-shaking ride and a big fat grin on your face.
5) CD player is the new Vinyl
It may have an AUX cord, which I’ll come to in a minute, but the central console is dominated by a Blaupunkt CD player which is the 2000's Vinyl player… Let me explain.
The recent re-emergence of Vinyl sales I attribute to people wanting to listen to full albums and soak themselves in the music as it was intended, not to skip each track and shuffle your way through life.
Well, the CD player is the Vinyl player of the road. You can’t easily change the CD mid-journey without causing some very erratic driving whilst feeling down the side of your seat for that Alanis Morissette CD you are dying to sing along to. You have to sit all the way through your Sum 41 CD until it has come to its ruddy fantastic conclusion.
6) So much boot (or trunk for incorrect Americans) space
I can fit almost an entire suitcase in there.
7) Loads of space for friends
Look at all that leg room. You could have a bloody barn dance down there.
The rear seats are positioned over the rear axle, so you get the roller coaster feeling you’ve always wanted on a long journey.
8) Rear wing downforce
With the amount of speed the Panda 100HP generates, it is key to have something to make sure that there is enough grip and stability when you reach such perilous speeds. That is why Fiat fitted the 100HP with this large rear wing, which, I’ve been told by the guy that sold it to me, generates the same downforce as a Formula 1 car.
9) AUX cord
At full extension
Despite having everything it needs with the CD player, Fiat decided to fit an AUX cord in case of emergencies. It only extends as far as the passenger’s ankle which some of you may think is a hindrance. This is actually to save the use of plastic with a needlessly long AUX cord. The Panda 100HP is therefore a very environmentally friendly car.
10) The handbook is a psychologist
Something that no other manufacturer cares about is your feelings. Well Fiat do. In the handbook it helps you reveal your ‘Panda side.’ What looks like a bit of fun is actually a deep psychotherapeutic analysis of your character. Apparently I am protective, aggressive and stylish. Absolutely spot on…
Conclusion
I can't see how anyone can argue against my faultless reasonings but I'd love to do so. Please tell me why your car is the best car in the world, or why I am full of shit.
If you'd like to see more of my Panda (said no-one ever), you can follow my mediocre adventures in the 'Wheelie Good Stuff' tribe or on my Instagram @king_cardashian. (I am starting to regret this name now).
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Comments (55)
Best car around
That's a great photo. Where is that?
The forth rail bridge!!!!
James King, are you a ghost writer for James May?
Oh cock
Nothing to add. Still loving mine after 3 years.
'CD's are the new Vinyl' just made my day. Happy New Year!
You forgot to mention that the Bluetooth only speaks Italian and it always sounds like it’s annoyed with you. We nicknamed it “shouty Italian woman”.
Haha. I couldn't get my Bluetooth to work 🤣