Premier Padmini
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Fiat Premier Padmini | |
 |
|
| Also called: | Padmini Premier |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Premier Automobiles |
| Production: | 1962-1995 |
| Class: | City car |
| Body style: | 4-door fastback |
| Engine: | 1,089 cc & 1,100 cc |
| Transmission: | 4 speed manual, rear wheel drive |
| Wheelbase: | 2,340 mm |
| Length: | 3,905 mm |
| Width: | 1,460 mm |
Premier Padmini was an automobile manufactured in India from 1968 to 2000. Premier Automobiles Ltd., 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 four and a half decades (1955-2000).
The Fiat 1200 GranLuce Berlina, debuted in India in 1964 with the old faithful 1,089 cc 4-cylinder engine.
It put out 40 bhp (30 kW) @ 4800 rpm with a maximum torque of 7.20 kgf·m (70.6 N·m) @ 3000 rpm. The original transmission was a four-speed manual gearbox that drove the rear wheels through a live axle. Weighing 895 kg the car could attain 105 km/h.
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 with license from Fratelli Negri Machine Sud S.r.l., Italy.
Numerous examples still abound even as taxicabs in Mumbai. Many of these taxis now run on CNG for fuel economy. Photo of a Padmini taxi in Mumbai
[edit] See also
This article about an automotive corporation or company is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
