Before you read my comments about this vehicle, please note that I am NOT a biased pseudo-car-reviewer, nor am I a bikini-clad Fiat cheerleader. I am just a guy who likes cars, oil-burners in particular, and appreciates a good vehicle.
That being said, lets carry on. Please note: I do NOT own a Palio D. I do own a Siena TD60 and love that vehicle. I have, however, driven the Palio D several times, and am quite fond of the car. For starters the car is very silent, especially compared to the 1.7 TD Siena mill. It is also very refined and smooth. It also feels considerably less ’’Tank-ish’’. Fiat dealers will beam with pride when asked about the technology that goes into this car with wings. Truth is, there really isn’t much that invested into making this car a good performer, but there is a lot of investment in engine management. Throttle signals are now interpreted electrically, as opposed to mechanically. The engine has a fancy 32-bit ECU that manages the engine, monitoring signals, fuel, blah blah bleu! Class leading technology in a segment that has none.
When one reads the World Car Guide, there are several platforms which use FIAT’s 1.9L engine. It should be said that the letters JTD (short for Jet Turbo Diesel) usually follow. Fiat India will flaunt how the parent company invented Common Rail Injection and married it to forced induction, but when one looks for anything remotely similar in the Palio 1.9D, all one finds is a bloody EGR(Exhaust Gas-Re-circulation) system, which aids the vehicle with emission control and nothing else. Translation : a measly 63 HP/12.2 Torque rating, from an engine capable of ATLEAST 75 Horsepower(And can achieve upto 115 Bhp- Yep that’s right-Octavia L&K killing power) in it’s turbocharged guise.
Back to the disappointing truth. The engine is ’’torquey’’ at best, and does not like to be revved, unlike the Turbo-Diesel in the Siena which thrives at 3-4000 rpms, when it’s turbo spools best. You are better of shifting quickly and keeping the revs south of the 3000 rpm mark. Though not appealing to a thrust freak like myself, this driving style has it’s benefits. Your engine will suffer less wear-n-tear and will require less maintenance. Fuel economy of 12 kmpl w/ AC(Overall) and 15kmpl on the highway show that the engine can be reasonably frugal. Keep in mind that this is a car that weighs more than an Astra and has an engine as large as an Octavia TD. O-100 kmph arrives in a disappointing 18+seconds. This is unfortunate, because this engine could easily have made the Palio the fastest Diesel in India(in it’s JTD avatar). My Siena TD betters this with a 16 second time, despite it’s smaller engine size and higher kerb weight. However, it should be mentioned that the horsepower and acceleration figures were once the norm of the premium segment i.e. Astra TD, Lancer and Ford, and from that perspective, they are respectable.
Note: If you use a fully synthetic engine oil like Mobil 1, and use a performance diesel fuel (TurboJet, Diesel Super), the mileage and performance figures should improve. Modify your air intake with a K&N, and exhaust i.e. free flowing, your figures will improve further (read my Siena Diesel Review for more details)
Ride, handling and looks are almost identical to the Petrol Palio (read: best in class, superb, wow, ...you get the idea). The high profile 80 tires look yucky, and you would be better off upsizing them to lightweight 14 inch alloys with tubeless tires (read my Siena review for more). Braking is good, and seems more than sufficient to stop this not-so-small, small car. One can notice the additional weight of the Diesel motor however.
Comparing this car to the Indica(53 Hp/8.5 T) and Zen diesels would be a waste of time. It is more powerful, more expensive, less economical, more luxurious, safer and a much better overall vehicle engineering wise. BUT, it lacks what the other two manufacturers offer- Plentiful dealer support, and secure company operations in India. While I am pretty sure that Fiat India is here to stay, I am not happy with their dealer operations. Parts are still expensive, and service stations scarce. Other than that, it’s as good a small diesel you can get.
FIAT people..START selling that JTD engine. I want to leave people gasping for breath as they see the ’’little fiat’’ zip by them....just like I used to with my Siena. And do it while saving Rs. 10 a liter. heh heh heh