"Jeep Panda" coming in mid-2011?

[gfiero]

Ivwco

FIAT/IVECO also build this, imagine what one could do with this...

 

[greg mgm]

Not available in the US I assume.
http://web.iveco.com/uk/products/pages/ecodaily_4x4_features_and_benefits.aspx

 

[BIGdaddy]

FIAT/IVECO also build this, imagine what one could do with this...

I honestly LOVE that.

When I outgrow my Cherokee, I honestly want to get something along the lines of a double cab pickup/ute trucklet.

I love doka mogs, and have even considered a doka syncro with a subie motor...

nice!

 

[OttawaXJ]

I'm all for the Iveco but the idea of the panda makes me sick. God help anyone that waves to me from that piece of ****.

 

[AmericaOverland]

Soooo....

Would now be a good time to start thinking about starting a company that specializes in tough workhorse vehicles with two solid axles and high ground clearance?

I don't know... You have to deal with the tax and regulation environment. You may have to wait until the US Gov't dissolves and you are able to set up shop in your respective state. Better yet, get after your Congressmen and start the process of repealing all these laws. Pretty soon, you're going to have to fill out a TE-485 form just to be able to go to the bathroom before 9 30 PM. Try talking with Ron Paul for advice on how you can help get this process started for say, this particular line of vehicles. Say that buyers of said vehicles are required to NOT hold the gov't and the maker liable for injuries or death resulting from lack of air bags or other safety options under certain situations (? not an expert at this). That way, if a customer wants a safe vehicle, they can buy plenty of them, but if they want to leave the pampering slushers behind, they would have that option and handle the paperwork on that. It would be a lot easier than buying from a shade-tree man who steals your money and trails you along on a build for two years.

But hell yes, we need a company that goes back to basics and gives us those things and the box-on-frame construction. My Scout builder is trying to weasel his way out of installing the EFI on my truck, so now, I'm debating whether to scrap the EFI idea and stay stock on the 304 motor or have someone here in Houston finish out the EFI installation for me.

A sort of a stop-gap option until the right environment comes up is a restoration shop, but not like a lot of the others in business today. Your shop could be set up specifically as a business that caters SPECIFICALLY to people that do not like current options, like borg-like features such as shut-down circuits when tire pressures go down, air bags, throttle-by-wire, steer-by-wire, power convenience features, and instead want an older, stylish basic car that is easy to maintain. I would buy one.

But what's up with the near-nonexistent trunk on the Jeep Panda? There's only room for a gas cap door!

 

[OttawaXJ]

I don't know... You have to deal with the tax and regulation environment. You may have to wait until the US Gov't dissolves and you are able to set up shop in your respective state. Better yet, get after your Congressmen and start the process of repealing all these laws. Pretty soon, you're going to have to fill out a TE-485 form just to be able to go to the bathroom before 9 30 PM. Try talking with Ron Paul for advice on how you can help get this process started for say, this particular line of vehicles. Say that buyers of said vehicles are required to NOT hold the gov't and the maker liable for injuries or death resulting from lack of air bags or other safety options under certain situations (? not an expert at this). That way, if a customer wants a safe vehicle, they can buy plenty of them, but if they want to leave the pampering slushers behind, they would have that option and handle the paperwork on that. It would be a lot easier than buying from a shade-tree man who steals your money and trails you along on a build for two years.

But hell yes, we need a company that goes back to basics and gives us those things and the box-on-frame construction. My Scout builder is trying to weasel his way out of installing the EFI on my truck, so now, I'm debating whether to scrap the EFI idea and stay stock on the 304 motor or have someone here in Houston finish out the EFI installation for me.

A sort of a stop-gap option until the right environment comes up is a restoration shop, but not like a lot of the others in business today. Your shop could be set up specifically as a business that caters SPECIFICALLY to people that do not like current options, like borg-like features such as shut-down circuits when tire pressures go down, air bags, throttle-by-wire, steer-by-wire, power convenience features, and instead want an older, stylish basic car that is easy to maintain. I would buy one.

But what's up with the near-nonexistent trunk on the Jeep Panda? There's only room for a gas cap door!

Fill out a form to go to the washroom? Thats a little dramatic.

Most of the laws actually make sense, there are some that are ridiculous but that happens in every government in history.

 

[AmericaOverland]

oooh poor little jeep !


just remember Fiat owns Iveco.............

so you may just get lucky and have one of these with a Jeep badge !

I like the style on these.

 

[AmericaOverland]

Fill out a form to go to the washroom? Thats a little dramatic.

Most of the laws actually make sense, there are some that are ridiculous but that happens in every government in history.

Exactly, I was being dramatic and sarcastic.

 

[jdemonto]

The Fiat/Jeep Panda will replace the Jeep Patriot/Compass in late 2012...likely as a 2013MY

Jason

 

[Scott Brady]

Exactly, I was being dramatic and sarcastic.

I want to see some pictures of the CRV on trips.

Not being dramatic or sarcastic at all - seriously.

 

[cdnabn49]

oooh poor little jeep !


just remember Fiat owns Iveco.............

so you may just get lucky and have one of these with a Jeep badge !

http://www.massif.iveco.com/

airbags and emissions more or less ready to suit the US already

3.0-litre 4-cyl turbodiesel, 176bhp @ 3200-3500rpm, 295lbft @ 1250-3000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear or four-wheel drive
Performance: n/a sec 0-62mph, n/a mph, 25.4mpg, 294g/km CO2
How heavy / made of? 2110kg/steel

it certainly looks cool enough - and the reviews are quite good, I am not overly fond of the leaf spring suspension - I do love the diesel and would love to have one in my Rubicon.. having owned a 1971 Land Rover SWB - with a safari top - I certainly enjoyed it... I sold my LR in 1984 for a CJ-7 Renegade and drove it ever where including a harrowing move dragging a stuffed U-Haul trailer through the Rockies all the way down to the Gulf coast (TX)... BUT it isn't a Jeep. I am a jeep guy - on my 5th now... The Massif would be a great fit for the wife - her Cherokee is getting long in the tooth now... the Commander is pimping but the Massif would be her choice... she likes the look and style of the Discovery's any how. I can appreciate other vehicles for what they are and do, but I still have my preferences - that being said - if the price was right I could find room in the stable for a Massif grocery getter.



I'll stick with the Wrangler platform - way happier for me.. I love the SWB, turning radius, choppiness, rough ride, wind noise, hearing the rain on the soft and hard tops, being able to flip the hood completely back, simplicity - get parts anywhere - online availability/aftermarket support... and mostly

"The Jeep Wave" :wings:


Just my 2 cents

 

[HighFiveJosh]

I could see a smaller wrangler style front end but with a little more curve, 2 door 5 seater with folding rear seats, clamshell rear door similar to the honda element, option for sun roof, and small FJ Cruiser style roof rac. 4WD gas and turbo diesel (with a rubicon opton) and FWD hybrid (to please the tree huggers and to start taking the prius off of the road).

It would be great to have a small family jeep with great mpg and off road capability.

 

[HighFiveJosh]

Take it easy! It's a prediction from a consulting firm. Look a year back and see how correct any consulting firms predictions were.

It's just a press-release probably sent out to sitr the waters and create publicity dor said consulting firm.

As for the Fiat Panda, it's actually a capable little off-roader. I've seen a test here where they pitched it against Range Rovers top-model and the little fiat held it's own! Here's the youtube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAg4DdXAp7Y

Fiat and other south-european car manufacturers have always built small 4x4 especially suited for the alpine regions. They have always been light, spartan and capable.

While that concept may seem like a radio-flyer with a lawn-mover engine strapped on, it actually works! Light weight and a small footprint can be a real benefit offroad.

Ok look here:
View attachment 29435
What is this? A four-door 4x4

And what is this?
View attachment 29436
A four-door 4x4

I do recognize that there is some pride and tradition to the Jeep brand, but ask yourself, which brands are still owned by the founders? which car brands are more that just another badge on a platform shared with other models with slightly different headlights and fenders..?

P.S. Remember it wasn't even Jeep - or Willys - who invented the Jeep, it was American Bantam, a company with English roots, who developed the first prototypes, only to whitness Ford and Willys Overland take over the design and the contract!

that is actually very impressive.

 

[AmericaOverland]

I don't see what the problem with Jeep selling the Patriot or making softer focused vehicles. Not everyone is going to hit the Rubicon with their Jeep, but many Patriot owners may use it for light trails on their way to launch kayaks or go for a hike. Also, I think they are a pretty good looking vehicle. For a daily driver, I am sure it would make a much better commuter than my old XJ and YJ.

I HATE the Patriot. I hate the way it's built inside. I had the misfortune of driving one back home from the dealership once I sealed the paperwork on the LJ (as it wasn't ready yet and still being cleaned up with the detailer sitting inside it while cleaning it). Fortunately, it was only one day. I SO did not like the way it drove, like a "car." The funny thing about the dash on that thing is, it's about two feet deep, making the windshield stand so FAAARRRR away from you, like you were driving a boat with a very long bow ahead of you. It was really strange. Not like the Wrangler at all. I also drove a Liberty at another time, and I distinctly remember running over a known dip in the road to see how it handles them. The front end dropped down and I felt my seat drop away and then come back up hard, pushing my hip bone against my insides. I'm surprised at the handling of road features... And disappointed. After a few days of driving the LJ, I had no idea how rough some lightweight cars really ride, like these cars and the CR-V. On top of that, these SUVs are detail nightmares because if you want to keep the car for 20-30 years, if you REALLY love them, you have to really maintain the preservation of the plastic inside. I'm shocked at the amount of plastic cars have in them nowadays! I detailed the LJ to get a feel for where everything is at and what it's like, and it's just so much easier. I can even take the carpet out to wash it and clean the floor underneath.

I'm just straight-up sold on the LJs.

 

[AmericaOverland]

oooh poor little jeep !


just remember Fiat owns Iveco.............

so you may just get lucky and have one of these with a Jeep badge !

http://www.massif.iveco.com/

airbags and emissions more or less ready to suit the US already

3.0-litre 4-cyl turbodiesel, 176bhp @ 3200-3500rpm, 295lbft @ 1250-3000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear or four-wheel drive
Performance: n/a sec 0-62mph, n/a mph, 25.4mpg, 294g/km CO2
How heavy / made of? 2110kg/steel

Bring it!