Fiat Palio

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Fiat Palio

Also called:	Nanjing Fiat Palio
Manufacturer:	Fiat
Production:	1996—present
Predecessor:	Fiat Uno
Class:	Subcompact car / Supermini
Body style:	3- and 5-door hatchback 4-door sedan (Siena/Petra / Albea) 5-door station wagon (>Palio Weekend) 2-door pickup truck (Strada)
Engine:	FIRE engines 1.0 L 8v, 1.0 L 16v, 1.2 L 8v, 1.2 L 16v, 1.4 L 8v Fiassa engines 1.0 L 8v, 1.3 L 8v, 1.5 L 8v, 1.6 L 8v Torque engines 1.6 L 16v Sporting 1.6 L 16v 120hp Powertrain 1.8 L 8v Multijet Diesel 1.3 16v Turbodiesel 1.7 L 8v TD
Similar:	Chevrolet Aveo Chevrolet Celta Chevrolet Corsa Dacia Logan Ford Fiesta Hyundai Getz Peugeot 206 Renault Clio Volkswagen Gol Volkswagen Fox
Designer:	Giorgetto Giugiaro

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.

1 The 1996 Mk.I Series
2 The 2001 Mk.II Series
3 The 2004 Mk.III Series
4 The 2007 Mk.IV Series
5 Nanjing Fiat Perla
6 Motorsport
7 External links

[edit] 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.

[edit] The 2001 Mk.II Series

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.

[edit] The 2004 Mk.III Series

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 sport version called Palio 1.8R which has a new version of the GM Powertrain 1.8 Flex engine but now with 115 hp (ethanol) and 112 hp (gasoline), lower suspension, new 14' alloys, seats, cloth and other sport features.

[edit] The 2007 Mk.IV Series

This article or section contains information about a scheduled or anticipated future automobile.

It may contain information of a tentative nature which may change significantly as the vehicle nears production and more information becomes available.

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 in Brazil since Feubrary 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, a minor change in the instruments panel, 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.

[edit] Nanjing Fiat Perla

The Nanjing Fiat Perla is a sedan launched at the 2006 Auto Guangzhou Motor Show, which is based 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. For example, the tail is longer and lower as the Siena's. It has a new 1.7 MPi engine, air conditioning, double front Airbag, ABS brakes, power steering, power windows, central lock, on board computer, and many other features.

[edit] Motorsport

Several competition and homologated versions of the Palio have been produced, such as the A6 class rally car, multi-brazilian and SouthAmerican champion of the A6 class 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.