Indian Autos blog

Yet another car will flaunt the magnificent Fiat MultiJet engine in India. Yes, we are talking about the Premier Rio, India’s first SUV for under 5 lakhs. As expected Premier has re-kindled its partnership with Fiat to source the Fiat MultiJet engine for the Rio and Rio+.

Under the agreement, Fiat will supply 28,000 engines to Premier for the next 3 years. The assembled diesel engines from Fiat’s Ranjangaon plant will be supplied to Premier’s factory at Chinchwad, Pune

If you have read our review of the Premier Rio, you would be aware of the fact that the diesel variant cannot be sold in BSIV markets because of emissions norms. However, Premier made it quite clear that it is in talks with its long lost partner Fiat to procure the fabulous MultiJet engine for its compact SUV.

But we were not quite sure whether it will get the 75 bhp version of the Multijet or the more powerful 90 bhp one. However, Fiat India’s CEO Rajeev Kapoor has accidentally spilled the beans of the Rio’s Multijet mystery. While speaking to PTI, Rajeev Kapoor mentioned that Fiat India is currently in talks with Premier to supply the 1.3 litre Multijet, 75 bhp engine.

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The compact SUV war may have not started yet as we are all awaiting the launch of the Duster and EcoSport. But other contenders have already started to creep their way to the market.

Believe it or not, the compact SUV era (even if it does not become a success) will owe its root to the Premier Rio.

It will go down in history that the brainwave of introducing of a compact SUV for the Indian masses first hit Premier Automobiles. However, the Premier Rio cannot be considered as a successful product, well at least not now.

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The Premier Rio+ now looks chic and stylish from the outside. But is it the same story on the inside? Is the build quality right for the Indian conditions? How good is the quality of plastics? Is it spacious enough to accommodate an average family with luggage?

Let’s find out:

The number of changes made to the interior of the refreshed Premier Rio are certainly less than those made to the exterior. The 2 main changes are – beige interiors and a new steering wheel and that’s about it.

Over the years, the Indian automotive market has matured from small hatchbacks to entry sedans to C+ sedans. This year, the focus of the manufacturers will be on two key segments –Compact Sedans and Compact SUVs.

Maruti Suzuki recently launched their contender for the CS market – Swift Dzire and rest of the manufacturers such as Tata and Mahindra are expected to follow suit.

Coming to the Compact SUV market; now this is going to be extremely interesting. Ford, Renault and Mahindra are honing their challengers as we speak. But little known rival is already present in the market from a long forgotten company called ‘Premier Auto’. Does it ring a bell?

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Premier showcased their next generation Rio at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Rio is a compact SUV that the company launched in 2011 to tap the entry level SUV segment. The product did not work due to number of factors and the company has taken a lesson from all them. The ‘New Look’ Rio is essentially a Nomad II from Zotye with changes such as:

• Curvy Headlamps
• An integrated Grill
• A rear spoiler
• Beige upholstery

Currently the Rio is available with a 1.2L petrol engine with 77 bhp. Premier promises 15 km/l of fuel efficiency. It is also available with a 1.5L diesel engine delivering 65bhp and 16 km/L.

The diesel engine that is available on the Rio is a very old technology hence the company is testing a 1.3L Multijet engine for more refinement. Premier said the Multijet Rio will be available by April 2012.

It is available in Red, White, Silver and Black. All models come with:

• Power steering
• Front power windows
• Electrically operated mirrors
• Central locking
• CD/MP3 Player

Higher models come with ABS, keyless entry and alloy wheels

Prices of the Rio start from 4.7 lakhs right up to 6.35 lakhs (ex-showroom Pune)

The company well know for its Padmini Taxis running on all streets of India, launched a mini SUV in India much before Ford, Mahindra and Renault dreamed creating the segment. Although, the Rio didn’t send the competition running for shelter, it taught the company many lessons for introducing its successor.

Premier plans to launch the successor of the Rio at the Delhi Auto Expo. The old Rio was the Nomad and the successor quite conveniently is the Nomad II. It is powered by a 1173cc engine, delivering 77BHP and offers 15 kmpl.

Premier may also showcase the diesel version of the Rio with a multijet Fiat Engine developing 66PS of power and 150Nm of torque. It will be available in four versions with additional features such as anti-lock breaking system (ABS), keyless entry and alloy wheels.

When Premier launched the Rio in late 2009, they had the idea bang on – A small cheap SUV to tackle potholes and provide good cargo space for daily commutes.

Unfortunately, they failed to capitalize on the idea because the product was not-so bang on. They basically rebadged the Zotye Nomad and brought it to India. This did not go very well with the Indian customers. So Premier has gone back to drawing board to rethink their strategy.

Our good buddies at Motorbeam have snapped a few pictures of the Facelifted Rio in Pune. They report that there were a few changes to the Rio such as:

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