Fiat Palio First generation

Launched in 1996 in Brazil, as part of Fiat's "178 project", the Palio 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 -hatchback, sedan, pickup and station wagon, with different versions being built for different markets. 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 Fiat Punto 176, 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. In 1997 saw production starting in Venezuela, Poland for the European market and in Marocco (at the Somaca plant[1]) whilst Turkey started building the same car in 1998. In India was assembly at Pune in the new Fiat-Tata Motors factory and in South Africa was assembly by Nissan[2] together the pick-up version called Fiat Strada. Production in India and South Africa began in 1999, in Egypt in 2001, and in China in 2002. The Palio Weekend station wagon was launched in 1996 in Brazil and later in Europe. The station wagon is the version most commonly sold in Europe.

The Palio badge originated on the Mark II Fiat 127, of 1977 where it was a trim designation rather than an actual model in itself. The 127 Palio featured alloy wheels, a more luxurious interior and a metallic paint finish as found on the 127 Sport. The Palio designation was also used on other Fiat models throughout the 1980s and 1990s in various markets.

Engine  

• 1.0L Fire I4
• 1.0L Fiasa I4
• 1.1L Fire I4
• 1.2L Fire I4
• 1.3L Fiasa I4
• 1.4L Sevel I4
• 1.4L Fire I4
• 1.5L Fiasa I4
• 1.6L Fiasa I4
• 1.6L Sporting I4
• 1.6L Torque I4
• 1.8L GM X18XE I4
• 1.3L Multijet I4 diesel
• 1.7L TD I4 diesel
• 1.9L D I4 diesel

In 2001 the model had its first facelift. The new design was made by the Italian automobile designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. This facelift included new front and rear fascias, 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 Palio 2001 version was the first Fiat to be made in China, by Nanjing Automobile. In some markets this generation included a "SpeedGear" automatic option. Palio 2001 is the ultimate version sold in Italy. In the 2001 Fiat introduced for South Americas market the crossover version called Palio Adventure and based over the body of the Palio Weekend. In Europe the Palio Weekend was succeed by the Fiat Idea MPV.

Nanjing Fiat Palio

In November 2001 the Chinese Fiat Palio debuted, with either the 60 PS (44 kW) 1.2 liter or the 85 PS (63 kW) 1.5 liter. The Siena sedan was added in November 2002, followed by the Palio Weekend in June 2003. The Siena and Weekend were not available with the smaller engine