Fiat Palio
The
Fiat Palio is a
subcompact car /
supermini, namely
Fiat's
world car aimed at
developing countries. It is produced in
Brazil,
India,
Turkey,
South Africa and
China as a
hatchback (
Palio),
Sedan (
Siena/Petra and
Albea),
station wagon (
Palio Weekend) and
pickup truck (
Strada). It is also built under licence in
North Korea, as the
Pyonghwa Hwiparam. Russian
ZMA will start assembly of Turkish
CKD kits in Autumn 2006. The station wagon and pickup versions are also sold in
Western Europe.
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.
In 2001 the model had its first facelift. The new design was made by the
Italian
automobile designer 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 1.0 L and 1.2 L and the
Sporting engine, a 1.6 L 16 valve with 120 hp made in Turkey. The Mk.II series was the very first
Fiat made in
China by Nanjing, including a 'SpeedGear' version.
The new Mk.III was released in 2004, designed again by
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(2006), 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 115 hp (ethanol) and 112 hp (gasoline).
The Palio will be facelifted in late 2006 for the
South American market. The model will be sold alongside an adapted version of the
Grande Punto, which will be marekted since autumn 2007. Some media have incorrectly affirmed that an all-new Palio was under development [
1] [
2].
This fourth facelift includes a new front and rear design, and a new engine: a 1.8 L 16 valve derived from the famous "Torque" 1.6 L 16v engine. This engine will be produced in Argentina (Ferreyra plant in Cordoba) to replace the
1.8 8 valve from GM due to the end of the joint venture between GM and Fiat do Brasil
The
Nanjing Fiat Perla is a
sedan launched at the 2006
Auto Guangzhou Motor Show, which is beased on the platform of the Fiat Siena and Palio. However, rather than just being a facelifted Palio model the car has new bodywork and styling for the Chinese market.
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.
*
Chevrolet Corsa*
Chevrolet Celta*
Chevrolet Aveo*
Hyundai Getz*
Renault Clio*
Volkswagen Fox*
Volkswagen Gol*
Official Fiat Palio website*
Palio User India*
Palio Users*
Club Palio Chile*
Team Palio Turkey
