Exclusive Scoop: Premier Rio 1.3L MultiJet Diesel Spied Inside Out, Launch Expected on 15 July

So..you were waiting eagerly with all your fingers crossed for Renault Duster but as soon as its prices were revealed, all your hopes of owning a compact SUV got shattered and there they go weeping out of the doors!

Don’t you worry we say! In a MotorBash exclusive scoop we bring to you the new Premier Rio with Fiat sourced 1.3 MultiJet diesel spied inside out. That is not all, we also reveal its possible launch date in India as well. Don’t deposit that cash back in your bank account and read on.

Premier_Rio_1.3_MultiJet_Diesel_By_MotorBash

Ever since Premier announced that the new Rio would come loaded with Fiat’s 1.3L MultiJet diesel engine, I was searching for a proper test mule which could confirm that. I did notice an increasing number of Rio’s with red number plates roaming around here in Pune but was always left puzzled about the actuality. It was yesterday’s pink evening where I succeeded in cracking the nut! Spotted these two Rio’s (in the pics) with around 4-5 men armored in ‘Premier’ badged shirts parked at a rather secluded place in Pune.

Roamed around the cars for a while, spotted that ‘1.5’ badge again, could not stop myself and went ahead to shoot my questions to the officials. Saw all that gadgetry and equipments strapped on in the car. After a couple of questions they admitted that this in fact is the Fiat sourced diesel engine that they are testing.

My next question was obviously, “They why that 1.5 badge at the back?”. For this they said, it is on the body of existing version we are testing the new engine. Sounds convincing? I knew, even I was not convinced! I chatted for a while, they were all friendly. Would talk about that later but just want to push back the climax scene upfront so that you go convinced about the 1.3 multijet part.

Premier_Rio_1.3_MultiJet_Diesel_By_MotorBash

 

At this point something stuck my mind. I have been an owner of Ritz DDIS MultiJet for a big while now and very much familiar with how does it sound. I waited for a while till these guys started to go. Stood very close to the cars and a little crank up of engines made me sure that it was ‘that’ typical MultiJet clatter!

Also, Premier doesn’t have any other thing in pipeline. It doesn’t make sense to ‘endurance’ test so many different older 1.5L diesel mules at the same time!

And the final point that makes it pretty convincing is the ‘Body for BSIV’ text at the front windshield.

Premier_Rio_1.3_MultiJet_Diesel_By_MotorBash

 

Coming to the car, here is what my instant reaction is.

The SUV looks absolutely similar to the existing new 2012 look Premier Rio. Apart from a few niptucks, there would not be any major changes to the looks of the car. The interior theme is beige and it definitely makes some really bright atmosphere inside. Bucket seats, with all those testing equipment strapped on the car made the front of my view. There is a bit of garnishing done around the dashboard and steering wheel. We were also informed the following:

  1. The company is planning to launch the mini SUV on 15 July
  2. There won’t be any major changes to the looks of the car.
  3. Hints of possibly a JVC fitted music system
  4. New Rio would be available in 4 color options – White and Red (we spotted), black and grey.
  5. An expected increase of Rs 70,000 on the current Rio
  6. The test mules of Rio 1.3 MultiJet have been registering some real healthy fuel efficiency figures under test

So, the officials have been told to get ready for mid-July launch of Rio 1.3 and that does bring a smile to our faces. I can imagine how potent and (hopefully) affordable Rio would become.

Pic-Talk:

Premier_Rio_1.3_MultiJet_Diesel_By_MotorBash
Even back-mounted spare wheel is alloy!
Premier_Rio_1.3_MultiJet_Diesel_By_MotorBash_Tyres
Rio 1.3 sports 15 inch radial tubeless tyres

 

Premier_Rio_1.3_MultiJet_Diesel_By_MotorBash
The car was strapped with laptops and other equipment. Notice the front bucket seats

 

Premier_Rio_1.3_MultiJet_Diesel_By_MotorBash_Trunk_rear_seat
The rear seats are foldable and split in 50:50. Notice the 450ltr trunk

 

Premier_Rio_1.3_MultiJet_Diesel_By_MotorBash _Rear_Seats
The rear seats recline back a little to provide you more comfort
Premier_Rio_1.3_MultiJet_Diesel_By_MotorBash_Dashboard
The dashboard quality seems better than the older version.
Premier_Rio_1.3_MultiJet_Diesel_By_MotorBash_Boot_space
That dropping of seats makes the space in excess of 1000 ltrs!

 

About Rio:

Rio was India’s first compact SUV which is powered by a 1173cc 76.6PS, 103.9Nm petrol engine and 1489cc 64.8PS, 152Nm diesel engine. This new 1.3L Fiat sourced MultiJet engine, which we all know immensely well, would be a real boon for the mini SUV and would allow Premier to sell its SUV in Euro 4 compliant cities as well. And it is expected that this engine would be the higher tuned ~90PS/200Nm form which would make it on the Rio.

With the advantage of its small size (it is 3970mm long), it is well within the ‘Small’ car category and would enjoy lesser excise duties. Rio can seat 5 comfortably and has a ground clearance of 200mm. The biggest advantage here is the fact that despite its compact size, it possesses a 454Ltrs rear trunk which is expandable upto 1158 ltrs by folding the seats down. With wide 15 inch tyres it does make that SUV stance, albeit in a softer tone.

So, start saving for Rio 1.3L Multi-Jet, its coming soon!

 

6 thoughts on “Exclusive Scoop: Premier Rio 1.3L MultiJet Diesel Spied Inside Out, Launch Expected on 15 July”

  1. Hi,

    Me and my friend visited the RIO showroom and there we found few good/bad things about the car.
    Good:
    1. Attractive looks, from behind and from side.
    2. features like ABS and alloy wheels.
    3. Good ground clearance.
    4. Good head room.
    5. Good boot space.
    6. CRDi based engine gives lots of power to it.
    7. Clear front view from inside the car.
    8. DVD
    9. Rear seat adjustment

    Bad:
    1. Plastic quality is a little bit older.
    2. Old looks of A/C swiches
    3. Rear seat are uncomfortable for long drive. They are adjustable but you can not feel the comfortable.
    4. Engine sound inside the car, not too much but sometimes make you eritate.
    5. Comfortable for 4 adults not for 5. 4 adults and 1 kid is ok.

    Area of improvement:(My personal point of view):
    1. Increase the space between front and rear seat space, so atleast it added a little bit comfort.
    2. Change plast as well as change the color comination of inside dahboard palstic which suits the car.
    3. Increase the widht, so 5 person can adjust easily.
    4. If possible try to reduce the engine noise.

    Malhar

    Reply

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