Fiat Palio
| 1996 Fiat Palio Mk.I | |
| Fiat Palio | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Fiat Auto S.p.A. |
| Production: | 1996 – present |
| Class: | subcompact car |
| 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 |
| This article is part of the automobile series. | |
The Fiat Palio is Fiat's 'world car' estate 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/Albea/Petra 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
1996 Fiat Palio Mk.I
Launched in 1996 in Brasil, 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, pick-up 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 IDEA studio of Turin, who also designed the new interior.
Production began in 1996 in Brasil 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
2001 Fiat Palio Mk.II
In 2001 the model has the first facelift. The new design was made by the italian design-guru Giorgetto_Giugiaro. The 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
2004 Fiat Palio Mk.III
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 that has 4 airbags (2 at front and 2 sidebags), light and rain sensor, park assistance, etc. In Europe, the new model features a Mk.III front and interior design and a Mk.II rear.
The Future
An all-new generation of the Palio (codenamed Proyect 310) is expected in 2006/7. It 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 Automoveis do Brasil and Tofas of Turkey.
Competition
2004 Fiat Palio Super16002004 Fiat Palio A6 Class
Several competition and homologated versions of the Palio have been produced, such as the A6 class rallycar, multi-southamerican rally champion with the brazilian driver Luis Tedesco, and the top-technology Super 1600 Abarth rally car, with a 1.6L 16 valve engine with Super1600 regulation and a max output of 215hp, and a 6 speed sequential gearbox.
See also: Palio