Fiat Palio

The successful hatchback of Fiat Automóveis with more than 2.5 million units sold in Brazil and a history of daring and innovation now conquers one more chapter: in its new generation, the Fiat Palio is totally new. It is more beautiful, robust, more comfortable, safe and larger - the Fiat Palio has grown and evolved.

Manufactured at our plant in Betim, Minas Gerais, the new Fiat Palio arrives at the Brazilian market as a natural evolution of its predecessors: improved, impressive, absolute, in perfect harmony with its customer's desires. Its attractive design, completely reworked by Centro Stile Fiat in Italy, is modern and harmonious, exquisite and sporty, and immediately shows that it is a Fiat, but also displaying its strong personality.

2012 Fiat Palio Front Angle

The evolution transforms the look of the new Fiat Palio, and leaves it longer, wider, higher and with a larger wheelbase: beneficial to all passengers who can now enjoy more internal space and comfort. Besides, the comfort is enhanced by careful reformulation of the cabin, which create an environment that is pleasant - in which all elements and volumes are in harmony in the contours, colors and textures - and functional.

Three engines power the new Fiat Palio: Fire 1.0 EVO, Fire 1.4 EVO and 1.6 16V E.torQ, all of them Flex. The 1.6 16V versions can come with mechanical or Dualogic® transmission. In total, the new model hits the market with six versions to please all tastes, needs and budgets. They are: Attractive 1.0, Attractive 1.4, Essence 1.6 16V, Essence1.6 16V Dualogic, Sporting 1.6 16V and Sporting 1.6 16VDualogic.

The Fiat Palio is also very complete and brings in its equipment list various contents that serve to further enhance the comfort and safety of passengers such as lateral and frontal airbags, ABS brakes, leather steering wheel with radio controls, gear-shift butterfly-type switch on the wheel, twilight and rain sensors, cruise control, windshield heater, CD player with MP3 and iPod/USB inputs, fog lamps, rear hatch Logo push, switchblade key with remote control, among many other items.

The hatchback also comes with yet another innovation: the owner of the new Fiat Palio can choose from several items to customize the car, which can be direct from the factory or at dealerships. There are several lines of stickers, badges and liners for the consumer to choose.

The development of the new Fiat Palio required about 824,000 hours from the company's engineers. During the process, 526 prototypes, test vehicles and pre-series were built. They were submitted to 61,434 virtual tests, 61,583 physical tests, and driven for more than 1.7 million kilometers before the final product could now hit the streets. Almost 3,300 new components make up the car. In terms of quality, reliability, endurance and strength, no effort was spared to provide the Fiat customer the best.

TOTALLY NEW DESIGN FOR A WHOLE NEW CAR

The Fiat Palio that now hits the streets represents a step beyond in relation to the former hatchback - it is bigger and finer. The entirely contemporary design by Centro Stile Fiat, Italy, is completely in tune with global trends, but also refers to the identity of the Fiat brand. It shares the stage with functionality, practicality and accurate finishing, making the new Fiat Palio a reference model in its segment.

A significant change that attracts much attention to the new Fiat Palio is its size. Its dimensions are noticeably larger than those of the previous Palio. The car has grown: 31 mm in width; 60 mm in height, 28 mm in length; and 47.3 mm in wheelbase. Despite being a compact car, these larger dimensions really contribute to raise passenger comfort and more intelligent use of internal space.

2012 Fiat Palio Rear Angle

The body of the new Fiat Palio was developed in accordance with the latest design criteria. The goal was to obtain a lightweight body (compared to competitors) while keeping optimal structural performance. To this end, more resistant materials were used, allowing for the reduction of thickness and hence the weight of components, without loss of structural targets. The use of strategically placed reinforcements also contributed to increase occupant protection.

Italian style in a car 100% Brazilian

Outwardly, everything is different. The new Fiat Palio brings the DNA of Italian design that combines functionality with a beautiful aesthetic quality. Its high and sloping waistline defines the model's vocation by revealing sportsmanship. In addition, the highly tilted windshield denotes dynamism. The soft curves form a profile between hatchback and minivan with modernity and sophistication. The harmonious and dynamic design of the windows in conjunction with the side crease, which rises in the front fender and ends at the rear elongates the model, determines an element of beauty and grandiosity.

The front with rounded and voluminous lines received drop-shaped, bi-parabola headlights, representing modernity and personality. The robust bumper with geometric niches for the fog lamps gives the impression of strength and gallantry. The high and majestic air intake has a horizontal strip, which receives the front number plate of the vehicle. And the Fiat logo is flanked by elegant chrome trim similar to the 500 theme. Well positioned creases "tie-in" all elements.

Smooth surfaces predominate on the side, defined by lines and subtle curves. The waistline begins from the outer corner of the headlight bordering along the windows and on the C column, and extending to the rear window. This line brings harmony to the entire body. Another stronger crease runs on the side, embedding the doorknobs and meeting with the outer corner of the headlight. The car roof makes a slight curve toward the rear, and the windows follow the curve, radiating dynamism and energy. The protruding wheel housings serve as an element of surprise, breaking the great lateral plane and merging with the bumpers.

On the rear the focus is on the lamps. Elongated vertically and with many of the original traits, they invade the region of the rear window, and call attention to their boldness and functionality, as they are easily seen by other drivers. In addition, they make the model exclusive. Bicolor lenses add to the modernity of the body.

The brake-light in LED has a long service life and offers excellent viewing for those coming behind and still gives the car a sportier look. The large rear window and gently curved trunk lid with beveled edges create an appealing visual plane, which is complemented by the robust bumper. This embeds the same black strip as the front bumper. The entire rear refers to robustness and modernity.

The optical systems in the new Palio deserve highlight. The biparabola headlight has greater high and low photometric intensity of beams, which ensure a high luminous flux. The bulbs in the headlights were designed to simulate daylight as much as possible, which allows for a more homogeneous distribution, with greater depth and realism of the scenario. The turbine shape of the tail lights, of both the parking and brake lights, make it exclusive.

The new model also comes with independent tail reflector separate from the turn lights. Positioned in the bumper, they are traditionally more visible on the highways or in city streets.

Source: Fiat

Gallery: Fiat Palio (2012)