Premier has silently launched its much awaited compact SUV RiO with a 1.3-litre Multijet heart at an exciting price of Rs 6.74 lakh and the new model called Premier RiO CRDi4. Besides the new model, the RiO is available in two other variants – the 76.6PS 1.2-litre petrol (BS IV) and the 64.8PS 1.5-litre diesel (BS III). The Premier RiO 1.3 Multijet has been in the news ever since it was showcased at Delhi Auto Expo held in January, 2012.
Now launched, all new Premier RiO derives its power from Fiat sourced 1.3 multijet diesel engine which currently powers Swift, Punto and Vista as well, but with RiO it gives better output. It churns out the maimum of 72bhp at 4000rpm and 183Nm of torque. It is mated to a five-speed manual transmission and returns the impressive fuel efficiency of 19kmpl. The new Rio is being offered in four colours – black, white, silver and red.
This Fiat 1.3-litre multijet diesel engine has helped Premier to sell the RiO diesel variant in India’s BS IV markets. However, the RiO’s petrol version meets BS IV norms but the diesel variant, powered by the TUD5 engine which Premier manufactures under license from Peugeot, meets BS III norms. As per the sources, Premier will continue to sell BS III vehicles in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of India.
At present, the new RiO CRDi4 will be available at select dealers and will soon be made available at all the 55 dealers. Premier is also thinking of increasing its dealerships from 55 dealers to 100 dealers by December 2012. It is also setting up 200 authorized service outlets all across the country called PASS ( Premier Authorised Service Stations), all equipped to support the RiO. Meanwhile, Premier’s assembly facility will be able to produce 1000 units of the CRDi4 RiO each month.
To visit the Premier RiO micro site – Click here, and also check out the video below the jump.
Also see – Premier enters a diesel engine deal with Fiat for RiO
