With a choice of two engines and four specification levels, the new Fiat Palio Stile has just arrived in the showrooms of the 63-strong joint Fiat-Tata dealer network across India. Previewed on Monday during the official inauguration of the joint production facility at Ranjangaon, the Palio Stile has now been officially launched in Mubai and is available for ordering.

The Fiat Palio Stile, which sees a number of revisions made from the outgoing model, is available in two petrol engine options: Palio Stile 1.1 (in three versions- SL, SLE, SLX) and Palio Stile 1.6 (Sport). The Palio Stile 1.1 is priced in the range of Rs.3.49 lakhs to Rs.3.90 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi), while the Palio Stile 1.6 is priced at Rs.4.31 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). The entire range is available through the country-wide Tata-Fiat network of 63 dealerships covering 42 cities.

Fiat Palio Stile stands apart for its soft, simple and pure design that enables the car to have a dynamic, harmonious look. The imposing aerodynamic front is marked by the Sparkling Double Barrel shaped Head Lamps placed above a stylish bumper. The side has a solid yet dynamic look. On the inside, is the all new interiors with plush beige upholstery and a classy dual coloured dashboard in warm browns and brushed metal, typical of the Italian style that typifies the design of the Fiat Palio Stile.

Fiat’s 'world car' is based on 178 platform developed on the basis of a proposal from Idea Institute of Turin. Aerodynamically shaped, the car has a low drag coefficient of 0.33 CD. With clean lines and fresh styling, the Palio Stile is certainly a ‘Car of the New Generation’ in India. The roomy interiors of Palio Stile give the user a feel of open road even in the most cramped traffic snarls. The generous leg space, knee room and shoulder space lets the user feel relaxed in the silent cocoon of Palio Stile. The new Palio Stile is a perfect urban commuter But when the 260 litre boot space expands to 950 litre, it literally doubles up as a weekend gateway vehicle.

The Palio Stile comes with a number of useful features including Double Crank Prevention System (a unique engine guard system which prevents re cranking of the engine when already on); Reverse Gear Lock (a sensible reverse gear lock prevents any accidental engagement of reverse gear and ensures that you always travel the right way); Engine Immobiliser (a high security engine immobiliser ensures the engine start only when your coded key is inserted and acts as a theft prevention device); External Door Lock System (The unique external door lock system won’t let you lock yourself out even by mistake); and Child Safety Lock (smarter child lock safety tucked away near the door lock can be operated only by the ignition key).

Focused on being fuel-efficient, the Palio Stile 1.1 comes with a 4 cylinder 1.1-litre petrol FIRE engine, providing a maximum power of 57 PS at 5250 rpm and excellent torque of 92 Nm at low rpm of 2750. This enables a high fuel average of 15.5 km/litre under test conditions. Designed for auto enthusiasts, Palio Stile 1.6 Sport comes with a 1.6 litre engine with an increased power of 100 PS @ 5500 rpm with a torque of 137 Nm @ 4250 rpm. It is the only sporty B segment hatchback available in the country.

Both models feature an electrical multipoint fuel injection system with a 32-bit microprocessor. The car is equipped with all desired features such as power steering, central locking, fire prevention system (FPS), engine immobilizer, fog lamps, with a manual Gear Box 5 + R, all speed synchromesh and a front wheel drive.
 

The interiors of the Palio Stile are beige in colour, sporting a trendy two-toned dash board, comfortable seats and a very low index of articulation (quietness of cabin). The Palio Stile 1.1 comes in six attractive colours: Furnace Red, Ozone Blue, Alpine Green, Mint White, Carbon Black and Magnesium Grey. The Palio Stile 1.6 Sport comes in Formula Red and Carbon Black.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Giovanni de Filippis, Managing Director, Fiat India Automobiles Pvt.Ltd. stated, “With the introduction of the new technology in Palio Stile we aim to offer our customers higher fuel efficient cars. Our partnership with Tata provides our customers countrywide access to our products, backed by better and faster service. We believe that coupled with the right features and price, the new Fiat Palio Stile is slated to be a runaway success on the Indian roads.”

Speaking on the occasion, Tata Motors President – Passenger Car Business Unit, Mr. Rajiv Dube, said, “The launch of the new Fiat Palio Stile will bring added excitement to the joint Tata-Fiat portfolio of products. The car is refreshing in its distinctively Italian appeal. The Palio Stile is the fourth new product offering to appear in our showrooms in the last three months, complementing a widening and growing choice of six Tata and two Fiat models for the Indian market.”

The Palio Stile will be sold across India through a 63-strong dealer network, managed between Fiat and its partner company in the country, Tata Motors. Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company, with revenues of US$ 5.5 billion in 2005-06. With over 4 million Tata vehicles plying in India, it is the leader in commercial vehicles and the second largest in passenger vehicles. It is also the world's fifth largest medium and heavy truck manufacturer and the second largest heavy bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and South East Asia and in Australia. Tata Motors already distributes Fiat-branded cars in India, besides the industrial joint venture in India with Fiat Auto to manufacture passenger cars, engines and transmissions for the Indian and overseas markets. The company’s international footprint include Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co. Ltd. in South Korea; Hispano Carrocera, a bus and coach manufacturer of Spain in which the company has a 21% stake; a joint venture with Marcopolo, the Brazil-based body-builder of buses and coaches; and a joint venture with Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Company of Thailand to manufacture and market pickup vehicles in Thailand. Tata Motors also has an agreement with Fiat Group Automobiles to build a pick-up vehicle at Córdoba, Argentina. Tata Motors has research centres in India, the UK, and in its subsidiary and associate companies in South Korea and Spain.