Fiat Palio
05 Jul 2007
The Fiat Palio, since its launch in India last year, has notched up success after success. Its brake horsepower and torque put it in the class of C segment cars like the Esteem and the Opel, while it is priced closer to B segment cars. Needless to say, this is a sure formula for success.
The Fiat Palio is available in two basic variants, which are a 71bhp 1.2-litre petrol version and an 8.6bhp 1.6-litre variant. The base model is the EL version. The ELX version is the powered variant and comes with a load of body embellishments, while the GTX version brings alloys and a spoiler and snazzier interiors to enhance the sporty theme.
The Palio 1.2 comes powered with a 1242cc engine, which has 71 bhp with a max twist of 102Nm at 3250rpm, while the Palio 1.6 derives power from the 1596cc ‘torque’ engine with a brake horsepower of 98.66 and a rise of 2bhp and a max twist of 137Nm at 4000rpm.
The GTX SP has electronic brake distribution and a driver’s side airbag, making her one of the safest cars around. The Palio 1.2 delivers 15km to a litre on the highway run, while in city, with the air-conditioner running, returns 8.0kmpl.
Instrumentation of the Palio 1.2 is basic with just the speedometer and temperature and fuel gauges. Equipment includes power windows, power steering, central locking, height adjustable seat belts and air-conditioner.
The Palio 1.6 carries the sporting theme inside with a silver finish central console, aluminum alloy pedals, leather covered steering wheel and gear knob and white faced dials that includes a tachometer. The interiors of the Palio can be compared to a mid-sized car, in terms of size and the quality of materials used.
Comprehensive technical specifications:
| Specifications | Palio GTX (PS) | Palio GTX (SP/PS) |
| Two Box 4 door Hatchback | Two Box 4 door Hatchback | |
| Antilock brake system | not available | Available |
| Front | Disc | Disc |
| Rear | Drum | Drum |
| Front track | 1415 mm | 1415 mm |
| Ground clearance | 170 mm | 170 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1080 kg | 1080 kg |
| Overall Height | 1440 mm | 1440 mm |
| Overall Length | 3763 mm | 3763 mm |
| Overall Width | 1620 mm | 1620 mm |
| Rear track | 1378 mm | 1378 mm |
| Tank capacity | 47 litres | 47 litres |
| Wheelbase | 2373 mm | 2373 mm |
| Bore & Stroke | 80.5 mm X 78.4 mm | 80.5 mm X 78.4 mm |
| Brake Horse Power | 100 bhp @ 5500 rpm | 100 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| Compression ratio | 9.5+/-0.15 : 1 | 9.5+/-0.15 : 1 |
| Construction | Iron block & alloy head | Iron block & alloy head |
| Displacement | 1596 cc | 1596 cc |
| Fuel | Petrol - Unleaded | Petrol - Unleaded |
| Ignition | Electronic MPFI | Electronic MPFI |
| Layout | 4 cylinder in line, | 4 cylinder in line, |
| Torque | 14.1 kgm @ 4250 rpm | 14.1 kgm @ 4250 rpm |
| Valve gear | dohc, 4 valves per cylinder | dohc, 4 valves per cylinder |
| City | n.a. | n.a. |
| Highway | n.a. | n.a. |
| Overall | 12.1 kmpl | 12.1 kmpl |
| Transmission | Manual - 5 speed | Manual - 5 speed |
| Type | Front wheel drive | Front wheel drive |
| Type | Rack and pinion, Power assisted. | Rack and pinion, Power assisted. |
| Front | Independent, McPherson Strut with lower wishbone anchored to cross member,coil springs, stabilizing bar & telescopic dual effect shock absorbers. | Independent, McPherson Strut with lower wishbone anchored to cross member,coil springs, stabilizing bar & telescopic dual effect shock absorbers. |
| Rear | Torsion axle, coil springs, stabilising bar & telescopic dual effect shock absorbers. | Torsion axle, coil springs, stabilising bar & telescopic dual effect shock absorbers. |
| Tyres | 175/65 R14 | 175/65 R14 |
| Wheel make | Alloy | Alloy |
On road prices
Palio GTX (PS)
| City | Ex-Showroom | Registration & Service Charges (Individual) | Registration & Service Charges (Company) | Comprehensive Insurance | Total (Individual) | Total (Company) |
| Calcutta | 519,497 | 5,475 | 6,475 | 17,065 | 542,037 | 542,037 |
| Chennai | 516,002 | 16,430 | 32,860 | 12,864 | 545,296 | 561,726 |
| Delhi | 516,000 | 6,680 | 6,680 | 17,324 | 540,004 | 540,004 |
| Mumbai | 517,032 | 25,906 | 67,269 | 17,355 | 560,293 | 601,656 |
| Pune | 522,000 | 24,680 | 66,440 | 12,999 | 559,679 | 601,439 |
Palio GTX(SP/PS)
| City | Ex-Showroom | Registration & Service Charges (Individual) | Registration & Service Charges (Company) | Comprehensive Insurance | Total (Individual) | Total (Company) |
| Calcutta | 570,786 | 5,475 | 6,475 | 18,655 | 594,916 | 594,916 |
| Chennai | 567,002 | 16,430 | 32,860 | 14,015 | 597,447 | 613,877 |
| Delhi | 567,000 | 6,680 | 6,680 | 18,904 | 592,584 | 592,584 |
| Mumbai | 568,136 | 27,950 | 73,401 | 18,939 | 615,025 | 660,476 |
| Pune | 574,000 | 26,760 | 72,680 | 14,173 | 614,933 | 660,853 |