Premier Padmini was an automobile manufactured in India from 1967 to 2000. Premier Automobiles Limited, erstwhile flagship company of India’s Walchand Hirachand Group, assembled Fiat’s Fiat 1100 cars from the 1950s until 1997. The car ruled Indian roads for three decades (1955-1985).
The Fiat 1100D based on the Fiat 1200 GranLuce Berlina debuted in India in 1964 with a 1,089 cc 4-cylinder engine, instead of the GranLuce’s 1,221 cc engine.
It put out 40 bhp (30 kW) at 4800 rpm with a maximum torque of 7.20 kgf·m (70.6 N·m) at 3000 rpm. The original transmission was a four-speed manual gearbox that drove the rear wheels through a live axle. Weighing 895 kg (1,970 lb) the car could attain 105 km/h (65 mph).
Premier manufactured it at their Kurla, Mumbai plant until they sold majority stake to Fiat SpA in Sept. 1997.
With minor modifications over the years, it was variously named Fiat 1100/103, Fiat Millecento, Fiat 1100-Delight, Premier President and Premier Padmini.
Some post-1996 models even sported a diesel engine, built under license from Fratelli Negri Machine Sud S.r.l., Italy.
Numerous examples still abound as taxicabs in Mumbai. Many of these taxis now run on CNG for fuel economy.
Along with the Hindustan Ambassador, it harks back to the socialist India of pre-liberalization, before the reforms program of 1991.
Also see – Pastout – Rajah Motors Kazwa (India’s first ever MPV)
Technical Specifications of Premier Padmini –
| Type Four-cylinder, in-line, longitudinal, petrol |
| Displacement Fiat 103 – 1089cc |
| Bore x Stroke [mm] 68 x 75 |
| Cylinders Four |
| Maximum power 40bhp @ 4800rpm |
| Maximum torque 7.20kgm @ 3000rpm |
| Compression ratio 7:8:1 |
| Transmission 4 speed manual, rear-wheel drive |
| Dimensions Values |
| Length 3,9305 mm |
| Width 1,460 mm |
| Ground Clearance 128 mm |
| Wheelbase 2,340 mm |
| Weight 895 kg |
| Maximum Speed 105 kph |
More pictures of Premier Padmini –
