One of the oldest India-based auto makers, Premier revealed the face-lifted version of its SUV Rio at the 2012 Auto Expo held at New Delhi. The Rio model unveiled that time was the petrol version; the diesel version could not be showcased in Auto Expo as it was not compliant with the BS IV emission norms.
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Premier was engaged in a discussion with Fiat regarding the sourcing of Fiat’s 1.3liter MultiJet turbo diesel engine for Rio SUV and during the auto expo it had exhibited the 1.3-liter mill on its stand to intimate the customers that the diesel variant of Rio will surely be released. The company had announced that the diesel variant of the Premier Rio SUV in India by May 2012. But some close sources suggest that the Premier Rio diesel might make its way into the market by the end of this month.
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These speculations are further backed by the announcement made by the company in last week, regarding the sourcing of the 1.3-liter power plant from Fiat. This 1.3-liter MultiJet turbo diesel engine being sourced from Fiat is capable of pumping out a power of 75 PS and is currently powering Maruti Suzuki Swift and Tata Vista. Fiat will manufacture these engines at its Ranjangaon facility which produces 1 lakh units of this engine every year for Maruti Suzuki India.
