Engine, Drivetrain, Fuel Efficiency - Fiat Palio Stile 1.1 road test

1.1 has enough poke for city traffic but inadequate for highway.

Engine

The engine is a front, transverse, 1108cc unit putting out 57bhp@5250rpm and 9.38kgm@2750rpm with a single overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder. This is the new base petrol engine – the former 1.2l engine sporting 16 valves and a 1242cc block was swapped for this one so that the Palio could enjoy the excise benefits this engine would allow. It picks up smartly initially, but at 3000rpm it seems to run out of breath, despite a redline of 6500rpm. The throttle is a little restrictive, making the car feel sluggish from rest, but once you give it a bootful, it does pick up pace. You can't call it peppy, though.

It is quiet at low revs but gets raucous at high revs, and vibrations begin creeping through the pedals. It is torquey enough at low revs, but runs out of steam at just 3000rpm. It'll cruise well enough at speed, but show it the slightest incline and it'll drop speed unless you downshift. Overtaking requires you shift down a gear or two – your right foot alone will be inadequate.

Drivetrain

Gear selection in the Palio is the usual H-pattern with five speeds. Reverse can be engaged only if a collar on the shift lever is pulled up. The lever is very-well designed but looks old-fashioned. This doesn't mean that it is badly designed; it feels good to hold. The throw is slightly long but the effort required to swap gears is minimal and it slots home with a lovely positive feel. You'll never get tired of swapping cogs in this car, and that's a good thing, since you may need to use the shifter quite often!

Fuel Efficiency

The Palio returned an overall efficiency figure of 12.4kpl, which is commendable for a car of its size and weight. However, the good fuel efficiency means you get a car that cannot outrun its rivals in a straight line, and one that has to be worked hard for rapid progress.