Premier Rio is based on Zotye 5008/Nomada which was once sold as Daihatsu Terios in late 1990s. Rights to the Daihatsu Terios were sold to Chinese car maker Zotye Auto, than Indian automaker Premier Ltd. struck a deal with Zoyte to manufacture the Nomada mini SUV under license in 2009. Thus the Rio, India’s first compact SUV, was born.
Premier Rio was available in 1.2-litre petrol engine and 1.5-litre TUD5 Peugeot IDI diesel engine. And in August-2012, they added another diesel variant plonked with 1.3-liter Multijet engine from Fiat that are also seen in cars like the Maruti Swift, Fiat Punto, Ertiga and Tata Vista. Here was a turning point, they got an awe-inspiring response as soon as it was launched in the Indian car market.
Zotye Auto of China supplies 15,000 units of CKD kits of 5008/Nomada which are currently assembled at the company plant in Chinchwad, Pune. Now Chinese auto manufacturer has unveiled facelift of the car and the updated Compact SUV will be sold alongside the older version and hence has named the facelifted version as the ‘T200’.
The updated version Premier Rio comprises of modern exteriors and interiors i,e new headlamps which are more stylish, a new front grill that is bigger and a new front bumper that gets bigger fog lamps, rear view mirrors which has integrated OVM lights, and new graphics on the side. Changes at the rear, include a revised set of taillamps and a new bumper.
On the inside, the dashboard is all-new with new center console and small rectangular air vents. The interior now adopts dual tone beige theme. But for now, it remains to see if Premier brings this facelift version to us, it surely does bring as compact SUV segment is heating-up in India.
Check out more pictures below the jump.
Also see – Premier Rio gets a new look, sketches leaked!
See more pictures of Zotye T200/2013 Premier Rio –
Source – Autohome.com.cn
