I had an all aluminum engine esteem(year 97)and was always proud of its sprint capabilities, consistent performance and reliability until I drove my friend’s FIAT Palio 1.2 ELX. I drove 1500 hundred kms in three days and was amazed to experience this machine.
The car’s weight is its biggest asset. I am a kind of driver who loves to speed and feels like being in some cross country rally whenever I am behind the steering wheels and felt Palio is a great combination for my kind’s. Most of the time during my journey, I was on constant 100 kms+ and never felt that the car is out of control despite I had 6 ghat to cross during my journey.
Engine is extremely responsive, it is in tandem with gear ratio’s, drag(initial pull) is peppy hence overtaking small car’s remains just a formality. Obedient power steering and efficient breaks makes life easy for driver. Mileage was not very good but it surpassed my expectations that I had set relying on market buzz that Palio fetches single digit average. I got 11+ average but that’s satisfying as my driving is neither skilled to reap the maximum mileage out of car. Strong and heavy metal body implants a different stroke of confidence in driver. Even while over speeding I was assured about safety and security by Palio’s rock solid frame. Interiors are roomy and spacious with a sofa for three at the rear. The cockpit meters failed to impress me but that’s not very important till the time they are working fine. It has a strange curvy asymmetrical dashboard which makes it difficult to install a LCD screen in place designed for your audio panel. Car suits best for tall drivers because of its dashboard height.
The Ferrari maker’s have worked wonders on suspension of this car. I felt like the car enjoys taking challenge of eating potholes without burping in the passenger cabin. The suspensions were softer than any of the Maruti Suzuki or ford models I have driven till date.
To sum up all, its an exciting product designed for people who have grown playing “Need for Speed” on the joysticks and keyboards and continues to play the same in real life with steering wheels.