In the 'Technology for the Environment Service' space on the Fiat Automóveis stand at the São Paulo Motor Show the Electric Palio Weekend, designed in partnership with the Itaipu Binacional Hydropower Plant, is making its debut.

In the 'Technology for the Environment Service' space on the Fiat Automóveis stand at the São Paulo Motor Show the Electric Palio Weekend, designed in partnership with the Itaipu Binacional Hydropower Plant, is making its debut. This highly innovative prototype is an extension to an ambitious on-going development project that has seen a fleet of all-electric Palios being used over the last year.

The Fiat Palio Weekend Elétrico was born in a partnership between Fiat Automóveis, the hydroelectric Itaipu Binacional and the Swiss company KWO, besides other collaborators from technology companies and research institutions in South America.  The deliberation to make it work only by electric power is a reflex of the moment where auto industry lives in deep quest for a definitive alternative for clean and low cost energy.

Palio Weekend Elétrico is completely powered by electric energy. It is equipped with an engine that generates a full power of 15 kw (20 hp) and maximum torque of 50 Nm (5.1 kgfm). Its energy comes from a nickel battery, located at the bottom of the trunk, and its range is 120 km. Externally Palio Weekend Elétrico is identical to the versions that run with gasoline and ethanol. However, the transformation is made inside, compared to internal combustion engine models. Instead of the traditional gearshift lever, there is a joystick-like artifact that can be placed in three positions – Drive, Neutral and Reverse.