The cheapest new car in Brazil is the Renault Kwid Zen, which costs R$ 72,640. Ten years ago, the scenario was very different. This post belonged to the Fiat Palio Fire (two-door version), which cost R$ 24,190. Several issues influence the value to be R$48,450 higher than in 2014, like inflation. But Autosport will focus only on what the car offered, how much it costs to buy it used currently and compare the evolution of standard equipment for an entry-level model in 2024.
On January 1, 2014, the resolutions came into force 311 and 312 of the National Traffic Council (Contran)which requires by law that two safety items be mandatory for any car that leaves the production line: double front airbags (one for the driver and one for the passenger) and ABS braking system, which prevents the wheels from locking during braking more abrupt.
And the Palio Fire was the cheapest car in Brazil at the time to leave the factory with this standard equipment. On the other hand, the hatch was extremely simple and everything attractive was offered as an option.
To have power steering, you had to pay R$1,111. For an additional R$3,101, the customer could purchase the Celebration 2 Kit, which included air conditioning and electric front windows and locks. To have a radio — which already came with a USB input — you also had to pay R$182. With all these options, the final value of the car jumped to R$28,584. The four-door version of the Palio Fire was sold for R$26,190 at the time.
The Palio Fire has a 1.0 flex engine 75 hp It is 9.9 kgfm, coupled to a five-speed manual transmission. Autoesporte tested this car at the time. Consumption, according to Fiat, is 8.8 km/l in the city and 10.3 km/l on the highway, when fueled with ethanol, and the respective figures with gasoline go to 12.3 km/l and 15 km/l .
Fiat Fire engine, the oldest in Brazil, will be discontinued after 40 years
Regarding size, the Palio Fire is 3.82 m long, 1.63 m wide, 1.43 m high, 2.37 m wheelbase and 280 liters of trunk capacity. According to the Fipe table, the list price of the car on the used market is R$25,500.
And the Kwid Zen?
Renault Kwid and Fiat Mobi compete for the cheapest car in Brazil month after month. Currently, the Renault model holds the position for just R$350. While the Zen version costs R$ 72,640Fiat charges R$72,990 for the entry-level version of the compact, called Like.
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After a decade, there is an abyss when comparing the list of standard equipment of the cheapest car in Brazil. Among the main items, the Kwid Zen offers: side airbags (front airbags are mandatory by law), start-stop, air conditioning, electric steering, front electric windows, radio with Bluetooth connection, traction and stability controls, electric locks and tire pressure monitoring.
The engine, on the other hand, manages to be less powerful: the 1.0 three-cylinder delivers 71 hp It is 10.0 kgfm. According to Inmetro, the Kwid achieves 10.8 km/l in the city and 11 km/l on the highway with ethanol. When filled with gasoline, the marks go to: 15.3 km/l in the urban cycle and 15.7 km/l on the highway.
The compact is 3.73 m long, 1.58 m wide, 1.48 m high and has a wheelbase of 2.42 m. The trunk has a capacity of 290 liters.
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