The new Fiat Palio has been presented to the press by Fiat Automóveis in the City of Natal in Rio Grande do Norte, a state located in the northeast of Brazil. The new model arrives better equipped than its predecessor and with a very stylish new exterior design. Eleven years after the launch of the first version of the hatchback, the Palio has received its third and final facelift, the other ones taking place in 2000 and 2003.

The headlights, radiator grille, shock absorbers and rear light clusters are all new; from the front to the rear of new Palio the design is totally fresh, and the revised range now comprises of five models that including two version levels - ELX and R (the sportive version), while the engines available now are the well know "dual fuel" 1.0 and 1.4 Fire FLEX engines, and the 1.8 flex from GM; the ELX 1.0 is offered with the option of two or four doors, just like the 1.8R version, while the ELX 1.4 model will be offered only with four doors.

All versions feature several modifications related to the former standard and optional equipment offered, such as body-colored bumpers, body-colored external door handles, high level brake light, a steering wheel with vertical and horizontal rake adjustment, bigger alloy wheels and tyres (175/65R14 for the ELX 1,0 version, 185/60R14 for the ELX 1,4 and 185/60R15 for 1.8R version), all which are now standard equipment. The entire car is also 20 mm longer and 6 mm wider, and it is not only the front and the rear of the car that has a fresh new design, the overall body has a crease from the front to rear that exudes a very dynamic new impression, a feature which has been clearly inspired by the new C-segment Bravo model which was recently launched in Europe.

The new tailgate is now positioned higher with the new rear light clusters located in a different position; they are more horizontal than the former units which were typically vertical. On the Palio 1.8R version the rear light clusters are darker colored, like the headlight lenses, and a new tailgate spoiler is in a new colour called gray Kiron, emphasises the inherent sporting nature of that version, while for the ELX 1.4 it will be offered in the colour of the car.

Inside, the new Palio 2008 is much more friendly, practical and roomy, with new fabrics featuring softer coverings. The cabin boasts a front roof light with spotlight, rear roof light, courtesy vanity mirrors located in the sunshades, an illuminated vanity mirror on passenger side sunshade, an illuminated and internal opening device for luggage compartment, "my car" system, follow-me-home device, Fiat Code, trip computer, internal catches for the opening for the bonnet and fuel tank, heated rear screen glass with wash-wipe. Electric front windows with an automatic function and anti-pinch device, remote central locking, electric rear side windows with anti-pinch system, electric body-colored door mirrors, ABS, EBD and Air Bags, are now optional for all versions.
 

Inside, new dynamic Fiat Palio 1.8R, which is firmly targeted at the younger driver, has received some exclusive new characteristics such as the leather-covered sports steering wheel, sports instrument graphics, sports pedals, red safety belts and an exclusive bright yellow body colour, called Indianapolis, everything seeking to emphasise the sporty nature of the model.

Technical Specifications

New Palio ELX 1.0 Fire Flex

Engine: No. of cylinders, arrangement 4, in line, front transverse; Capacity (cc): 999; Max power bhp: 65 (petrol); 66 (alcohol) at 6000 rpm; Peak torque: 9,1 kgm (petrol) 9,2 kgm (alcohol) at 2500 rpm; Gearbox: No. Of speeds 5 manual; Suspension: Front independent McPherson, anti-roll bar; Rear independent and transversal rocking arms, anti-roll bar; Brakes: Front disc; Rear drum; Dimensions (mm): Length 3850; Width 1640; Height 1430; Wheelbase 2370; Weights (kg): 950 two doors; 970 four doors; Fuel tank (l): 48; Luggage compartment capacity (l): 290; Prices: R$ 28,700 (£ 6,833) two door - R$ 30,260 (£ 7,205) four doors; Top speed (Km/h): 154 (petrol); 155 (alcohol); Acceleration (s) 0-100 (Km/h): 16,1 (petrol); 15,9 (alcohol); Consumption (Km/l) Urban: 12,9 (petrol); 9,1 (alcohol); Consumption (Km/l) out of Town: 17,0 (petrol); 12,7 (alcohol)

New Palio ELX 1.4 Fire Flex

Engine: No. of cylinders, arrangement 4, in line, front transverse; Capacity (cc): 1368; Max power bhp: 80 (petrol); 81 (alcohol) at 5.500 rpm; Peak torque: 12,2 kgm (petrol) 12,4 kgm (alcohol) at 2250 rpm; Gearbox: No. Of speeds 5 manual; Suspension: Front independent McPherson, anti-roll bar; Rear independent and transversal rocking arms, anti-roll bar; Brakes: Front disc; Rear drum; Dimensions (mm): Length 3850; Width 1640; Height 1430; Wheelbase 2370; Weights (kg): 981; Fuel tank (l): 48; Luggage compartment capacity (l): 290; Prices: R$ 31,980 (£ 7,614); Top speed (Km/h): 165 (petrol); 166 (alcohol); Acceleration (s) 0-100 (Km/h): 12,3 (petrol); 12,2 (alcohol); Consumption (Km/l) Urban: 13,0 (petrol); 9,2 (alcohol); Consumption (Km/l) out of Town: 17,0 (petrol); 12,3 (alcohol)

New Palio 1.8R Flex

Engine: No. of cylinders, arrangement 4, in line, front transverse; Capacity (cc): 1796; Max power bhp: 113 (petrol); 115 (alcohol) at 5.500 rpm; Peak torque: 18,0 kgm (petrol) 18,5 kgm (alcohol) at 2800 rpm; Gearbox: No. Of speeds 5 manual; Suspension: Front independent McPherson, anti-roll bar; Rear independent and transversal rocking arms, anti-roll bar; Brakes: Front disc; Rear drum; Dimensions (mm): Length 3850; Width 1640; Height 1430; Wheelbase 2370; Weights (kg): 1005 two doors; 1025 four doors; Fuel tank (l): 48; Luggage compartment capacity (l): 275; Prices: (NA) two doors - R$ 41,850 (£ 9,964) four doors; Top speed (Km/h): 189 (petrol); 191 (alcohol); Acceleration (s) 0-100 (Km/h): 9,4 (petrol); 9,2 (alcohol); Consumption (Km/l) Urban: 12,2 (petrol); 8,4 (alcohol); Consumption (Km/l) out of Town: 16,3 (petrol); 11,3 (alcohol)

by Claudio Perlini