The FIAT Panda Cross is a very off-road-capable, wee-little crossover. It’s a pity the FIAT Panda Cross is not slated to come to the United States anytime soon. The regular FIAT Panda is a big, worldwide seller and it’s more attractive than the FIAT 500L – the only four-door FIAT currently sold in the USA. Still, there is an interesting possibility in the making: FIAT is working with Jeep to build a “Baby Jeep” and the FIAT Panda Cross looks like a logical platform candidate.
Featuring a ‘Torque-on-Demand’ all-wheel drive system that works with FIAT’s electronic stability control, electronic locking differential, hill descent control and a significantly beefed-up suspension, the FIAT Panda Cross comes with an 80 horsepower 1.3-liter MultiJet II or a 90hp 0.9-liter TwinAir Turbo. A tiny diesel will be available too. Granted, North America needs more power – which is exactly what the 1.4L 16V MultiAir® Turbo Engine we use is capable of. The FIAT Panda Cross comes with a purpose-built six-speed manual transmission – because, Europeans are cooler than us and like manual transmissions.
Here’s FIAT’s take on the FIAT Panda Cross’ off-road system:
“The advantages of this system are that it is both fully automatic and requires zero maintenance and it is controlled by the new Terrain Control selector, which offers the driver three driving modes depending on the driving situation:
- AUTO – Automatic distribution of drive between the front and rear axles in accordance with the available grip
- LOCK – 4WD is optimised for off-road use at speeds of up to 30mph, with distribution of torque controlled by braking slipping wheels and thus transferring the drive to those with the most grip
- HILL DESCENT – For optimum handling of particularly steep hill descents or when driving down extremely bumpy laneways
In addition, the FIAT Panda Cross is also fitted with oversized all-season 185/65R15 tyres, larger than those fitted to the standard Panda 4×4, which were developed specifically to combine drivability and traction in low-traction situations with positive on-road handling on both wet and dry surfaces.”
Here’s where Jeep comes in: FIAT Chrysler Automobiles knows they need a “Trail-Ready” vehicle. This means: the FIAT Panda Cross, if it’s going to underpin the new Baby Jeep needs to handle the Rubicon trail. Believe it or not, with the right tires and beefy under-cladding, the FIAT Panda Cross should be able to do it. If nothing else, it should be able to keep up with the Jeep Patriot off road – which would be a huge selling point.
It’s possible that the Baby Jeep could straddle the capabilities of the Jeep Patriot and the (very capable) Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk.
“AUTO – Automatic distribution of drive between the front and rear axles in accordance with the available grip
LOCK – 4WD is optimised for off-road use at speeds of up to 30mph, with distribution of torque controlled by braking slipping wheels and thus transferring the drive to those with the most grip
HILL DESCENT – For optimum handling of particularly steep hill descents or when driving down extremely bumpy laneways
In addition, the FIAT Panda Cross is also fitted with oversized all-season 185/65R15 tyres, larger than those fitted to the standard Panda 4×4, which were developed specifically to combine drivability and traction in low-traction situations with positive on-road handling on both wet and dry surfaces.
The suspension of the FIAT Panda Cross has been developed to combine on-road comfort, handling, road-holding and safety with improved off-road characteristics. An independent MacPherson suspension is employed at the front while a torsion beam layout has been developed for the rear to accommodate the all-wheel drive mechanicals, thereby saving weight and providing better ride and acoustic characteristics than the semi-trailing arm arrangement of the previous generation Panda Cross.
In addition to its generous ground clearance – 16cm for the MultiJet II version and 15cm for the TwinAir Turbo version – the FIAT Panda Cross also benefits from improved approach and departure angles: Its 24° approach angle represents a three degree improvement over the previous model, while its 33° departure angle represents an improvement of one degree. The new FIAT Panda Cross also boasts a break-over angle of 20° and a 31.5° (70%) climbable gradient.” – – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Keep in mind: the FIAT Panda Cross weighs less than 3,000 lbs. If FIAT and Jeep adapt the FIAT Panda Cross into the Baby Jeep, it would put on some weight to satisfy DOT/IIHS/NHTSA safety scores and requirements. The heavier the vehicle becomes, the less off-road-worthy it becomes.
If the FIAT Panda Cross does not underpin the upcoming Baby Jeep, perhaps FIAT would bring the Panda to our shores? There’s always a chance, but don’t hold your breath. It’s a shame really; the FIAT Panda is a fantastic little machine and its platform is remarkably flexible.
Time will tell.
Check out this fun video of the Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk in some Colorado dirt!
