07-12-2018, 02:11 PM
Hi.
As many of you know I've been into cars for many a long year. Not one that could ever afford expensive classics but more of an underdog liker.
The Euro NCAP I have thought for a long time as a good benchmark for consumers, drivers and businesses so a comparison can be made between different makes for safety related reasons.
Recently NCAP have been re-classifying cars that have been made for some years and one of these is the Fiat Panda one of which I own, a 2014 Lounge version with the 1.2 Fire petrol engine. When it was tested in 2011 it gained a 4 star rating but has been re-tested this year for some obscure reason and the 2WD versions like mine have now got a zero star rating, the car hasn't changed it has four airbags, Whiplash protection and ABS. The 4WD versions have 3 stars now which is still less than in 2011. So what has changed? Has Fiat started to build the car from Coke Cans, have they done away with brakes and employing a throw out anchor? No indeed not but Facebook and Twitter will tell you these cars are the most unsafe vehicles on the road and you should instead buy a used Seat Ibiza!!!
The reason is actually simple and unfair as the Panda 2WD doesn't have lane assist, EBD, Auto park, Hill holder, TPMS and other electronic gimmicks. So is the test based on just the addition of gimmick electronics that lull drivers into a false sense of security and reduce driver awareness and driving skill. Both the Panda 2WD & 4WD share exactly the same bodyshell which is stiff and very strong. Why has not the VW Up, Skoda Citygo & Seat Mii not been retested, which had a 2011 launch? Why not the Hyundai i10 and others, why pick on a car that is one of mainland Europe top sellers, is this a VW ploy?
What has incensed me most is the rubbish posted on social media, and how gullible the readers actually are.
I'd have not one single reason to buy another 2WD Panda, its been great and has survived a reversing van into it at 10mph without one single scratch or damage, even to the extent it was checked by the dealer as 100% fine after the bump, yes its a tough little thing.
See here: https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/4640...-ncap.html
As many of you know I've been into cars for many a long year. Not one that could ever afford expensive classics but more of an underdog liker.
The Euro NCAP I have thought for a long time as a good benchmark for consumers, drivers and businesses so a comparison can be made between different makes for safety related reasons.
Recently NCAP have been re-classifying cars that have been made for some years and one of these is the Fiat Panda one of which I own, a 2014 Lounge version with the 1.2 Fire petrol engine. When it was tested in 2011 it gained a 4 star rating but has been re-tested this year for some obscure reason and the 2WD versions like mine have now got a zero star rating, the car hasn't changed it has four airbags, Whiplash protection and ABS. The 4WD versions have 3 stars now which is still less than in 2011. So what has changed? Has Fiat started to build the car from Coke Cans, have they done away with brakes and employing a throw out anchor? No indeed not but Facebook and Twitter will tell you these cars are the most unsafe vehicles on the road and you should instead buy a used Seat Ibiza!!!
The reason is actually simple and unfair as the Panda 2WD doesn't have lane assist, EBD, Auto park, Hill holder, TPMS and other electronic gimmicks. So is the test based on just the addition of gimmick electronics that lull drivers into a false sense of security and reduce driver awareness and driving skill. Both the Panda 2WD & 4WD share exactly the same bodyshell which is stiff and very strong. Why has not the VW Up, Skoda Citygo & Seat Mii not been retested, which had a 2011 launch? Why not the Hyundai i10 and others, why pick on a car that is one of mainland Europe top sellers, is this a VW ploy?
What has incensed me most is the rubbish posted on social media, and how gullible the readers actually are.
I'd have not one single reason to buy another 2WD Panda, its been great and has survived a reversing van into it at 10mph without one single scratch or damage, even to the extent it was checked by the dealer as 100% fine after the bump, yes its a tough little thing.
See here: https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/4640...-ncap.html
