12.03.2004 FIAT BRAZIL UNVEIL THE NEW SIENA, PALIO WEEKEND AND 'OFF ROAD' PALIO ADVENTURE

Fiat Brazil have shown to the press this week the new Siena, Palio Weekend and 'off road' Palio Adventure. They follow on from the facelifted Palio hatchback, revealed for the first time late last year.

Fiat Brazil, the domestic market leader in 2003, looked to build on the characteristics of each member of the 'World Car' family and chose Italian designer Giorgetto Giugaro to undertake the makeovers.

The Siena, the sedan version, has seen its market share steadily increase in the last few years, helped by a solidly reliable image and harmonious lines. Guigaro seeked to retain its crisp shape but enhance it with larger rear lights and a fresh front end.

The restyled Palio Weekend completes the line-up and it replicates the front end styling first seen on the hatchback version last November. Its rear end has been beefed up as befits a station wagon, with much larger new lights that now intrude onto the tailgate and a rear screen that has seen its dimensions increased.

Most exciting of the new models is the Palio Adventure. Building on the recent success of the Doblo Adventure, the Palio goes off road as its gains ride height and aggressive looks courtesy of new bumpers and side mouldings. At the front a new, much larger and bulbous bumper incorporates no less than four spotlamps, thick and prominent plastic ribs as well as a series of large, deep cut-outs. These changes are complimented by dark internal backing to the headlamps, causing the round lenses to stand out.

The plastic mouldings chase along the side of the Weekend, curving over the wheel arches, to the rear and wrap round into a larger bumper. New side steps run along each side below the doors.

Inside, they all inherit the solutions launched last November on the Palio, including the MyCar system, new seat covers and materials, and wider range of equipment. Under the bonnet the petrol and alcohol 1.3 Flex engine is joined by a new 1.8 Flex which offers a maximum of 110cv when using only alcohol. Finally parking sensors, as used on the Stilo, become an optional extra.

by Iinuma Wesley in Brazil  ( additional material courtesy of Warley Zamboni, Autocar Brazil )