30.10.2003 FIAT SOUTH AFRICA INTRODUCE FIVE SPECIAL VERSIONS OF THE PALIO

Fiat Auto South Africa has introduced five new versions of its Palio. Named after the special colours chosen for the limited-edition range: Rosso, Verde, Blu, Gala and Argento.

Customers are encouraged to make and choose their own vehicles. Colours are playing an important role as people express their personalities through their possessions. The trend that customers can make their own choice has emerged through watches and moved to cell phones, computers and other products.

The Palio can be ordered in special combinations of paint details to complement the customer's colour of choice. The standard special series will  include a white roof complemented by silver door handles and body  coloured door mirrors. Alternatively customers can choose a body coloured roof, or keeping with the white roof, white wing mirrors and body coloured door handles.

 "Fiat Auto South Africa is putting a large amount of energy into the notion of 'Making it your own'. Fiat has extended the concept of choices to  the roof, door mirrors and handles." Said Giorgio Gorelli, Managing  Director of Fiat Auto South Africa. The five colour choices typify Fiat's theme of Life in Primary Colours that emphasises the fun aspect of motoring in the 21st century. The Rosso choice is a deep red, Blu is a vibrant blue with a racy  feel, Gala is a special black colour with a hint of mystery, Verde is a  mysterious deep green and Argento is a striking silver. All five models are fitted with special body styling kits to add a funky, racy edge to the Palio's inherent crisp compact design. The body  styling kit includes a deeper front spoiler, which also incorporates fog lights, deep side skirts and a chrome tail pipe. And topping off the package is a  set of 15-inch alloy wheels in an attractive seven-spoke design.

The interior of the special series is also given special individual attention. The instrument cluster is enhanced by silver finish trim, while a leather-covered steering wheel, leather gear knob and sporty alloy pedals add to the overall sporting feel of the car.

The Palio EL has been one of the most admired models in the Palio range since its introduction three years ago. The three-door form has attracted a strong following amongst the young and young-at-heart, also thanks to its important and valuable standard interior equipment, which includes a driver's airbag, air-conditioning, electric front windows, central locking and full-trim door panels.

The heartbeat of the Rosso, Blu, Gala, Verde and Argento models is Fiat's robust 1242 cc overhead cam four-cylinder motor. Mounted transversely in the stubby nose and driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox, the free-revving Fiat FIRE motor develops 52 kW at 6 000 r/min and 102 Nm of torque at 3 250 r/min. The strong torque profile of the motor ensures excellent fuel economy, with fuel consumption measured at 7,5 litres/100 km at 120 km/h.