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.