Fiat Palio
| Fiat Palio | |
| Fiat Palio | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Fiat Auto S.p.A. |
| Production: | 1996 – present |
| Class: | subcompact car / supermini |
| Body Styles: | Hatchback, Sedan, Estate, PickUp |
| Engines: | FIRE Engines 1.0 8v, 1.0 16v, 1.2 8v, 1.2 16v, 1.4 8v Fiassa Engines 1.0 8v, 1.3 8v, 1.5 8v, 1.6 8v Torque 1.6 16v Sporting 1.6 16v 120hp Powertrain 1.8 8v Multijet Diesel 1.3 16v TurboDiesel 1.7 8v TD |
| Also known as: | Fiat Siena, Albea, Petra (sedán version) Nanjing Fiat Palio |
| Similar models: | Chevrolet Celta Chevrolet Corsa Peugeot 206 Ford Fiesta Renault Clio Volkswagen Gol Volkswagen Fox |
The Fiat Palio is Fiat's 'world car' aimed at developing countries, although the station wagon version and the Strada PickUp are also sold in Europe with the names Fiat Palio Weekend and Strada Malibu.
It is produced in Brazil, India, Turkey, South Africa and China as a hatchback, with the Siena/Petra and Albea sedan and the Weekend being the station wagon version. It is also built under licence in North Korea, as the Pyonghwa Hwiparam.
The 1996 Mk.I Series
Launched in 1996 in Brazil, as the "family member" of the '178 Project' was Fiat's first attempt to build a 'world car', the same basic design being produced in numerous nations around the globe. Four principal models were produced, a hatchback, saloon, pickup and estate, different versions being built in different countries. The powerplants, both diesel and petrol, also varied from region to region depending on local production capability, legislation and market requirements.
The basic chassis was a development of the Uno, but little remained unchanged. The entire structure was significantly stronger in order to be suitable on the rougher roads found in some of the markets for which it was intended, as was the suspension. The body was a completely new design by the I.DE.A Institute of Turin, who also designed the new interior.
Production began in 1996 in Brazil and was followed later that year by a plant in Argentina. 1997 saw production starting in Venezuela, Poland and Morocco whilst Turkey started building the same car in 1998. India and South Africa began production in 1999, Egypt in 2001 and China in 2002.
The 2001 Mk.II Series
In 2001 the model has the first facelift. The new design was made by the Italian design guru Giorgetto Giugiaro. This facelift includes a new front and rear design, and a brand new interior. Also, new engines came for the Palio: the FIRE 16 valve 1.0L and 1.2L and the Sporting engine, a 1.6L 16 valve with 120cv made in Turkey. The Mk.II series was the very first Fiat made in China by Nanjing; including a 'SpeedGear' version.
The 2004 Mk.III Series
The new Mk.III comes in 2004. The designer was again, Giorgetto Giugiaro. It has a new front, rear and interior design, with inspirations in the Fiat Punto and the Fiat Stilo. The 04' Palio was the very first Brazilian model in the B-Segment available with four airbags (two front airbags and two sidebags), park assistance and light and rain sensor. In Europe, the new model features a Mk.III front and interior design and a Mk.II rear. The latest development in Brazil, was the launch of a new version called Palio 1.8R which has a new version of the Powertrain 1.8 FLEX engine but now with 115cv (ethanol) and 112cv (gasoline).
The future
An all-new generation of the Palio (codenamed Proyect 310) is expected in 2006 or 2007 and will be based in the latest generation Fiat Punto. The design of this new model will be carried by Fiat Centro Stile / Giugiaro, and the development by Fiat Automóveis do Brasil and Tofas of Turkey. It is unknown whether it will be a true low-cost car, like the €5000 Dacia Logan, or just a supermini with more competitive price than models, such as the Volkswagen Fox, Hyundai Getz and Chevrolet Aveo.
Competition
Several competition and homologated versions of the Palio have been produced, such as the A6 class rally car, many times Southamerican champion with the Brazilian Luis Tedesco as driver, and the top-technology Super 1600 Abarth rally car, with a 215hp 1.6 16 valve engine and a 6 speed sequential gearbox.
External links
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| City cars | 126 | Cinquecento | Seicento (1998-2005) / 600 (2005-2010) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Panda I | Panda II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supermini | 127 | Uno | Punto I | Punto II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grande Punto | Punto Evo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Small family car |
Ritmo | Tipo | Bravo / Brava | Stilo | Bravo II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 131 | Regata | Tempra | Marea | Linea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large family car | 132 | Argenta | Croma I | Croma II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | Coupé | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | 124 Spider | Barchetta | Barchetta | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports car | X1/9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Panel van/Leisure activity vehicle | Fiorino I | Fiorino II | Fiorino III | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Doblò | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mini SUV | Sedici | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mini MPV | Idea | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact MPV | Multipla | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large MPV | Ulysse I | Ulysse II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Van | Daily* | Scudo I | Scudo II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ducato I | Ducato II | Ducato III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mini Pickup | Strada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Off-road | Campagnola (1107) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Rebadged Iveco model | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||