General Motorway cruising in the Panda!

[DraigFlag87]

I think the Panda deserves some credit for motorway cruising! After 340 miles from Wales to Sheffield and then back in the Panda Multijet yesterday, i was pleasantly surprised by the Panda's ability to take the role of a much bigger car on the motorway. I'm sure everybody else has already noticed this, but please forgive me, living in rural Wales there are no motorways so yesterday was my first chance to try it out!

The diesel is obviously the best choice for the motorway imo, could do with a 6th gear for cruising like the 100hp though. I got 55 MPG on the way there and 50 MPG on the way back (into the wind) which isn't bad considering i cruised for the majority of the journey at around 85 MPH.

The seats were comfy with "numbum" syndrome kicking in at around 70 miles into the journey, quickly sorted with a quick "bum shuffle". The ride was smooth and the engine, being a diesel, was in quite high revs at 85 MPH which made it more responsive for overtaking, even at high speed the 80 to 100 time was pretty quick. Engine noise was present but not intrusive unless the revs hit 4000 RPM. Wind noise was a tad high, especially on the way back, but it is a small square car so this is expected, and you could also feel the cross winds battering the boxy shape of the Panda!

Overall a good little cruiser, i was tired by the time i got home, but after 340 miles i would be tired in any car! Glad i didn't buy the Brera in the end!

 

[bobajob]

I agree totaly with all of the above. My little MJ is great on the motorway. I've done runs at 60MPH for 100+ miles and got trip MPG's over 73. And even at 75-80MPH all the way the MPG is 65+.

She really is a great little cruiser. Very quick acceleration at higher speeds compared to most petrol engines smaller than 1.6.

I agree about the numbum. We suffered quite a bit, but then realised it was because of the cushioned seat protectors which didnt mold to the shape of the seat. When we took the covers off we were much more comfortable. So we tend to just use them round town to protect the seats from day to day stains and wear. On long runs we just take them off.

 

[doctorchris]

I did Liverpool airport to Sunderland yesterday in the Cross at 70mph most of the way and was totally relaxed after 3 hours driving. Very different from the 4x4 Climbing which was hard work on motorways.
The Cross has the power to accelerate quickly from 70 to 80 so that you can pull into the faster traffic to overtake.
Fuel economy only 46mpg, sadly.
No numb bum or the low back ache that I get in my wife's Honda Jazz.

 

[DavePanda100]

I agree, the Panda is great on the motorway.

The 100hp is great on the motorway too, pleasantly surprised when I took it on a few long journeys (done a few Leeds - Glasgow, Leeds - East coast, Leeds - West coast runs).

Was expecting a tiresome and painful journey at the end, but it did it with ease and I felt fine for such a small car, was'nt expecting it to be like it was in my old Seat Leon TDi but was just as good.

The mpg was surprising too, mid 40's

The only little niggle I have is I sometimes get a bit of calf strain in the right leg with this car on long journeys, probably not got a good seating position thou.

 

[ThisBitterPill]

The worst thing about driving the 100hp on the Motorway is resisting the urge to go too fast!

 

[DavePanda100]

The worst thing about driving the 100hp on the Motorway is resisting the urge to go too fast!

Very tempting I know!

I love the look on peoples face of "Was that a Panda that just overtook me!"

Even had one guy in a service station tell me he couldn't believe a Panda overtook him lol (he was in a BMW 3 series something)

 

[HP]

Agree with the comments, have been on several long motorway journeys in the 100hp and it handles it great, always get out at the other end with no aches, pains or the numb bum!

 

[doctorchris]

This could explain why some drivers overtake my Panda just for the sake of it, then pull in front of me and drive slower than I was before.
******s, the lot of them!

 

[HP]

This could explain why some drivers overtake my Panda just for the sake of it, then pull in front of me and drive slower than I was before.
******s, the lot of them!

Yep, happens a lot. Do you get the pass them at 70 then they pass you at 80 syndrome too?

 

[DraigFlag87]

Try overtaking them in a standard looking Panda like mine, they're even more baffled! I spent a long time in the third lane or fast lane or whatever it's called (the one closest to the barrier) Motorways are still a new concept to me, luckily i had Natalite Savagation. Only saw 2 other Pandas on the Motorway and one was a yellow 1.2, the other was a 1.1 active (ouch)

 

[doctorchris]

It's so weird.
So many drivers do not realise that to maintain speed on a motorway, when they reach an uphill section, they need to press the accelerator pedal a bit harder!
In addition, so many drivers believe that the middle lane was built for them to pootle along in whatever the road or traffic conditions.

 

[DraigFlag87]

It's so weird.
So many drivers do not realise that to maintain speed on a motorway, when they reach an uphill section, they need to press the accelerator pedal a bit harder!
In addition, so many drivers believe that the middle lane was built for them to pootle along in whatever the road or traffic conditions.

Exactly. My first time on a motorway and i figured this out within the first few miles! Plenty of training with all the hills here in Cymru! Saw a women driving before, approaching a very steep hill. She was in front of me, i put my foot right down to speed up, she didn't. She almost came to a stop on the hill, by then i was flying and nearly went into the back of her! Luckily i overtook.

 

[trackdayqueen]

The MJ isn't bad providing you realise you anticipate inclines as otherwise it suffers a bit. It does lack in aceleration say at 80+ but given it's top speed that perhaps is not surprising.

As long as you are on the ball it's fine really and tbh when I had my MJ i just used to drive it at 95 as i'd still average 45-50mpg.

The 100hp is a bit quieter which is good, it doesn't get as affected by hills as the MJ does, though you still have to anticipate them. A bit like the MJ if you are approaching a slower car and the car in teh next lane is closing on you, there is little option but to let it go and pull out behind because you can't increase the speed quick enough to 'slot in' if you like. Sometimes the traffic doesn't always flow smoothly with where you are, so I sometimes find that a bit frustrating.

But for a change i took the integra down to London this weekend. I actually found I drove slower, just cruising at an indicated 70-80 due to already doing 4.5K rpm, but it has a lot more punch than the pandas (I know not surprising) so it does make adjusting speed a lot easier. Also I can't believe i'm going to say this but the integra is a bit more comfortable as it doesn't bounce along like the 100hp does. It's only a minor thing really, but the ride on the 100hp can get a bit fidgety at motorway speeds.