Fiat Palio

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/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, 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 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. 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.