FIAT PANDA CROSS

Introduction Italian Style Safety
Off-Road Mechanicals Finance, Services & Range Equipment, Options & Colours
Technical Specification Sophisticated In-Car Technology High Resolution Images

sophisticated IN-CAR TECHNOLOGY
 

The Panda Cross boasts features that until now were exclusive to higher segment cars. A trip on board the new model will reveal a passenger compartment that offers great living space in all situations and weather. This has been achieved, in part, by an electric sunroof and an automatic climate control system. And more. The original four wheel drive supermini offers state-of-the-art automatic devices to make driving less of a chore: from Dualdrive electric power steering to follow me home headlights that switch off after a delay. Customers can also equip their car with a Hi-Fi system and the sophisticated CONNECT Nav Plus system.
The Panda Cross sets a whole new quality benchmark for cars in this market band and takes the quality of on-board life and travel up to a new level.

Automatic climate control system

Interior climate is one of the main comfort factors during a trip and is also very important for safety because temperature, humidity and ventilation affect the driver's well-being and thus his or her level of alertness. And of course the heating and ventilation system is also responsible for demisting the windscreen and side windows.

For this reason, in addition to a conventional manual climate control system (standard), the Panda Cross also comes with a sophisticated climate control system that automatically controls temperature, air flow, air distribution, compressor activation and recirculation by means of an electronic control unit. The quality of air reaching the inside of the car is improved by a filter that traps particles measuring more than 0.5 microns and pollen (that could cause allergies). The system also implements an equivalent temperature climate control strategy. Certain sensors record internal and external temperature and assess the sensation of thermal well-being experienced by passengers, i.e. the energy exchange between human body and passenger compartment that is affected by humidity, temperature and treated air flow. All these parameters are monitored continuously and used to update distribution, ventilation and mixing automatically. Air temperature and fan speed are therefore adjusted to ensure passengers experience the desired sensation of thermal well-being (achieved by setting the required temperature). The system may be adjusted to one of five set combinations to allow air taken into the car to reach all areas of the passenger compartment. The possibility of altering interior temperature gradually, half a degree at a time, makes for outstanding climatic comfort. The knob can be used to adjust temperature through 16°C. Manual choices always over-ride automatic settings. They are also indicated by deactivation of the Auto led and stored until the user cancels the command. Each time the system is turned on, it returns to the conditions saved upon deactivation, except for the 'MAX DEF' function, which is zeroed. The entire system can also be turned off manually to deactivate the air conditioning system fully.

Radio and Hi-Fi system

The Panda Cross's sound system is particularly alluring. The three types of radio and a CD-changer on offer are all made by Blaupunkt.  The radios were designed in conjunction with the German company, a world leader in the sector and all share the same carefully developed sound system. The system has been analysed and adjusted to the passenger compartment and is available in two versions according to the radio installed.

The first system comes with four sound channels and four full-range speakers (two 40 Watt and two 35 Watt). The second offers sophisticated engineering and is ideal for those who seek a top of the range Hi-Fi system. It comprises six speakers (2 mid-woofers, 2 tweeters and 2 full-range, all 40 Watt) and a sub-woofer complete with an amplifier with one 100 Watt output channel. The three radios are integral with the design of the dashboard and laid out in user-friendly fashion. The radios are located on the upper part of the facia (the correct arrangement for the driver) and are also within easy reach of the passenger. They also offer RDS (Radio Data System) and TA (traffic announcement) functions. The radios are also fitted with a useful device that ensures the radio is turned on at the volume setting active when it was turned off.

The difference between the three levels lies in the player. The first plays tapes and offers autoreverse and a Dolby B noise reduction system. The second radio plays CDs (individual) while the third level package adds an MP3 file player. All come with a mechanism to adjust volume to vehicle speed. If it is connected to a handsfree kit, the radio deactivates automatically (mute position) when the GSM phone rings. In this case, a Phone-in function also allows calls to be transferred from a mobile phone (with a handsfree control unit) to the speakers via the radio.

Radios with CD players are protected against theft due to a communication link with the electronic unit that manages the electrical system (body computer). This is how it works: when the radio is turned on, the body computer reads the radio safety code (four-figure) and activates it only if the numerical sequence is recognised. This makes the device unusable on any car (unless fitted with the same device). The radio with tape player is also protected against theft by a personal secret code. Lastly, the customer may also fit a multiple CD changer (up to five CDs) in the glove compartment that can be controlled by the radio keys.

Sky Dome sunroof

The Panda Cross may be fitted with a large glass sunroof (Sky Dome) that represents a first for this segment and offers a new way of experiencing car travel. The latest-generation device occupies nearly 70 percent of the roof and consists of two glazed panels (one fixed and one mobile) and two sunblinds that run independently towards the rear of the car.
 

Fiat Panda Cross
Fiat Panda Cross
Fiat Panda Cross


This system allows you to choose how you wish to enjoy the outside world as you drive. The new Panda version can be converted from a closed car to a car with a glass sunroof, a car with a conventional sunroof or even a model with the feel of a cabriolet. Everything depends on the outdoor temperature and the kind of day it is. When you want to flood the passenger compartment with light, you can close the glass part and open the underlying blind.


If you'd rather travel in an open-topped car, it takes just seven seconds to open the glass front panel and sunblind fully to enjoy your very own window on the sky. Or you could decide to open the front panel only partly. All you have to do is press the key on the central courtesy light to move the front panel. In the first position, the glass becomes a raised spoiler. When you continue to press the control, it takes up intermediate positions by sliding back on aluminium guides. Simply release the key to stop the movement in the required position. The same movements take place in reverse during closure.

Nav Plus CONNECT infotelematic system

This cutting-edge infotelematic system includes a satellite navigation system, radio, CD player, dual-band GSM handsfree phone and voice commands. The device is located in the centre of the facia and is equipped with a 6.5 inch TFT colour screen (active matrix) that allows the driver to follow easy instructions for the set route on the display (and also voice commands).

This system is a telematic product that makes cutting-edge technology available to drivers and ensures in-car living is even more comfortable and easy while you are en route for your destination. Through the GPS/GSM network and the miracles of satellite communication, customers can simply press the green key to speak in hands-free mode to an operator - a veritable personal assistant ready to respond to their every need for information on traffic conditions on the motorways, ring-roads and main roads of Italy and Europe and points of interest. If necessary, they can also guarantee roadside assistance or send out mobile workshops to resolve problems on the spot.

Customers who buy the Panda Cross can also benefit from a host of services including the Follow Me function: drivers need not concern themselves about having to ask for constant updates on road conditions because the Follow Me function means that the Service Centre operator updates them on any route changes via text or voice messages. And more: the Drive Me service allows customers to request any destination anywhere in Europe: from the address of a friend to that of a business. The operator sends the required address directly to the navigation system so that the user can easily set the route by simply pressing the CONNECT key.

Dualdrive electric power steering

The Fiat Panda Cross steering system offers safe, precise steering at high speeds, good handling and limited effort during parking manoeuvres and at low speed. Among all the equipment items offered as standard, the Dualdrive system deserves particular attention. This power-assisted steering system comes with two operating modes and uses the power generated by an electric motor instead of power from a hydraulic pump driven directly by the engine.

The response of the electric steering system is, however, proportional to car speed: the higher the speed, the lower the assistance and the stiffer the wheel response to ensure greater driving precision. And more. The exclusive system is particularly innovative even for an electric power steering system and offers customers an extra feature: i.e. a choice of two different setting programs. The first ensures maximum empathy between driver and car and is ideal for mixed out-of-town routes. The second lightens the steering to minimise effort and is therefore ideal for driving round town and parking manoeuvres. To turn on the latter, all you have to do is turn on the city key in the middle of the facia. But fear not if you set off down the motorway with the device in this position. To assure customers the greatest safety under all circumstances, above 30 km/h both programs offer the same level of power assistance to ensure that the steering wheel response is appropriate for high speeds.

Follow me home

Getting in and out of the Fiat Panda Cross is easy even by night in poorly lit areas. To simplify this operation, the new model is equipped with a delayed headlight deactivation function (follow-me-home function). The aim is to make the motorist's life easier. The device keeps the dipped beams and side lights on for a while even with the engine off and ignition key out. These few minutes are all you need to see the garage door or garden gate in the dark. After this period, the headlights go off - automatically of course. The follow me home device is turned on by operating the light flasher stalk within 2 minutes of turning off the engine. Each time the stalk is operated, light activation is extended for 30 seconds up to a maximum of three and a half minutes.