New compact SUV from Premier Auto. EDIT: Rio quick testdrive on page 10

pacman2881 · 29th October 2009, 20:29

The idea of a mini SUV is a good one. Had it been from some other manufacturer say Hyundai this could have challenged the premium hatch backs for sure. But in this case Premier's old baggage, a little known Chinese name and of course the low quality doesn't auger well for the Rio.

Wonder why no other established manufacturer thought of such a niche area.

romeomidhun · 29th October 2009, 20:48

Everything is OK except the manufacturers.

The design, the size, the Diesel engine, positioning... all are OK, but Premier and that Chinese brand will do all the damage to this car.

Hope Maruti will come up with a Jimny with a 5-door 5-seater (front facing) model with the 1.3 DDiS engine, and price it around 5 Lakhs.
Or the SX4 hatchback, with a 1.6L Diesel engine!

Mpower · 29th October 2009, 20:52

Where is the TUD5 engine coming from? Is PAL making it or is it imported? I thought the engine is long dead.

Overall I feel if PAL can spend 5% more to improve perceived quality by 45%, people will gladly pay that 5% extra. Afterall its an SUV+diesel for the price of a hatch.

akshay4587 · 29th October 2009, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

Where is the TUD5 engine coming from? Is PAL making it or is it imported? I thought the engine is long dead.

Overall I feel if PAL can spend 5% more to improve perceived quality by 45%, people will gladly pay that 5% extra. Afterall its an SUV+diesel for the price of a hatch.

+1 and if they manage to add 4X4,it will be a complete package.

xPK · 29th October 2009, 21:16

If I'm in the market for SUV with budget 6-7L, I would settle with 3 year old Safari or Scorpio. Perhaps it will be too early to say but, these vehicles will definitely give me more peace of mind (at least psychologically).
I know I'm not supposed to compare Rio with these, but...

Ravveendrra · 29th October 2009, 21:22

PAL in the market once more, dunno if it is good news or bad considering how they managed to muck up good products in the past - the PAL-Peugeot and the PAL-Fiat products were good but were literally run into the ground (a legacy that Fiat faces to this day).

Cheers,

Dr.Abhi · 29th October 2009, 22:20

Cheap product from unreliable brand. I m happy in my Fusion which can tackle Indian roads and small off road duties in a big way.

VikramRao75 · 30th October 2009, 04:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashutoshb

The website is up and running: http://www.premier.co.in/rio/index.html

Found two mistakes..

- 'Central looking'
- Rear fog lamp has a picture of the front fog lamp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dippy

Attaching a scan of the Rio's one page brochure. This should help in knowing what they offer across the three variants.

Attachment 217593

I wish premier the best of luck, its a decent enough SUV for the price, all I need to know how well it performed in the crash tests. Ive been reading about power, and I also read that it has airbags and abs as standard. If thats the case, pretty good for a non starter to shake up the automotive industry.

Dippy · 30th October 2009, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikrantj

What I am really surprised at is that such an old engine TUD5 is passing a BSIII compliance test where few DI engines (Bolero 4X4 is BSII) fail ? Any thoughts or comments.

I was surprised myself. The TUD5 is generation old now. When was it in the 309 and Zen diesels? More than a decade ago? I even questioned them on common rail units to which they replied saying they dont have any plans at that moment. To be honest the TUD5 felt great when I drove it in those days (read 96-97) but I guess CRDis have spoilt us now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay4587

+1 and if they manage to add 4X4,it will be a complete package.

There will not be introducing a 4x4 inspite of a version available in the Chinese market

Quote:

Originally Posted by VikramRao75

I wish premier the best of luck, its a decent enough SUV for the price, all I need to know how well it performed in the crash tests. Ive been reading about power, and I also read that it has airbags and abs as standard. If thats the case, pretty good for a non starter to shake up the automotive industry.

The top model only has ABS standard but no airbags.

Joe-Ker · 30th October 2009, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

Where is the TUD5 engine coming from? Is PAL making it or is it imported? I thought the engine is long dead.

From what i gather (Mostly from this forum itself), The TUD5 engine was given to Premier by Peugeot when they severed the Partneship for the 309.

The original engine Has been reworked by premier to make it meet emission norms and to increase the max Power output.
I cant imagine premier doing it on its own but it must have gotten some company outside to do it for them.

HappyWheels · 30th October 2009, 10:34

Saw the test drive & review on ET - ZigWheels and the reviewer said the interiors are worse that what you get in a 800!

He also mentioned about the lack of space within the vehicle.

But the surprising part, was watching the vehicle being driven. The vehicle looked more like a small car on a bling wheel set up, the kind that Monster trucks looks like (a miniature here).

I have my own doubts about the stability of the vehicle on sudden turns.

Gooney · 30th October 2009, 10:49

A historical event. From flashlights, cell phones, DVD players, et al to automobiles. Phew! China is here. Though I would've felt much more comfortable if Geely or FAW would have done the honors instead of Zotye.

Premier Automobiles did a good job of addressing the need for a mini-SUV, but they could have done better with the product offering...way better.

My biggest concern is safety and Chinese products are infamous for being unreliable. From the looks of it, the RiO has a high CG and with a small wheelbase and narrow width. I would not be surprised to read about RiO's turning turtle in the newspapers.

The TUD5 should be able to do a decent job, but I seriously doubt that RiO owners would have to visit dealerships pretty often for rattling body parts, loose plastic, broken knobs.

I admit much of my observation is "mere speculation"; but the Chinese are the best in producing cheap inferior goods. So, if such issues should arise with the RiO, I would not at all be surprised.

I will definitely not spend 5 lacs on the RiO. No sir!

amit V8 · 31st October 2009, 19:54

Premier did a good job by selecting that vehicle, because we don't have anything like it in the market. BUT...the car is awful, the engine is awful and it sucks!!!

the market for which it is targeted has vehicles with better quality, fit & finish and engines. so premier need to keep an eye on that as well.

Samurai · 24th November 2009, 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dippy

There will not be introducing a 4x4 inspite of a version available in the Chinese market

Smart move. This won't need two earth movers to split it into two, the first winching operation will take care of that.

harishF1 · 26th November 2009, 09:23

Though I dont stand the front and rear looks of the Xylo, I would still feel quite safe in it for a few extra lakhs compared to the Rio. Rio, conceptually is exceptional, but I have my doubts on the execution... Would surely not invest 5+ lakhs on a chinese vehicle with unestablished dealer network.

29th October 2009, 20:29	#211
pacman2881 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 418 Thanked: 562 Times	The idea of a mini SUV is a good one. Had it been from some other manufacturer say Hyundai this could have challenged the premium hatch backs for sure. But in this case Premier's old baggage, a little known Chinese name and of course the low quality doesn't auger well for the Rio. Wonder why no other established manufacturer thought of such a niche area.
	() Thanks

29th October 2009, 20:48	#212
romeomidhun BANNED Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: IN Posts: 3,381 Thanked: 5,460 Times	Everything is OK except the manufacturers. The design, the size, the Diesel engine, positioning... all are OK, but Premier and that Chinese brand will do all the damage to this car. Hope Maruti will come up with a Jimny with a 5-door 5-seater (front facing) model with the 1.3 DDiS engine, and price it around 5 Lakhs. Or the SX4 hatchback, with a 1.6L Diesel engine! Last edited by romeomidhun : 29th October 2009 at 20:49.
	() Thanks

29th October 2009, 20:52	#213
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,397 Thanked: 1,735 Times View My Garage	Where is the TUD5 engine coming from? Is PAL making it or is it imported? I thought the engine is long dead. Overall I feel if PAL can spend 5% more to improve perceived quality by 45%, people will gladly pay that 5% extra. Afterall its an SUV+diesel for the price of a hatch.
	() Thanks

29th October 2009, 21:16	#215
xPK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 266 Thanked: 16 Times	If I'm in the market for SUV with budget 6-7L, I would settle with 3 year old Safari or Scorpio. Perhaps it will be too early to say but, these vehicles will definitely give me more peace of mind (at least psychologically). I know I'm not supposed to compare Rio with these, but...
	() Thanks

29th October 2009, 21:22	#216
Ravveendrra Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,390 Thanked: 447 Times View My Garage	PAL in the market once more, dunno if it is good news or bad considering how they managed to muck up good products in the past - the PAL-Peugeot and the PAL-Fiat products were good but were literally run into the ground (a legacy that Fiat faces to this day). Cheers,
	() Thanks

29th October 2009, 22:20	#217
Dr.Abhi BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bathinda, Pb Posts: 340 Thanked: 611 Times View My Garage	Cheap product from unreliable brand. I m happy in my Fusion which can tackle Indian roads and small off road duties in a big way.
	() Thanks

30th October 2009, 10:34	#221
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,145 Thanked: 571 Times	Saw the test drive & review on ET - ZigWheels and the reviewer said the interiors are worse that what you get in a 800! He also mentioned about the lack of space within the vehicle. But the surprising part, was watching the vehicle being driven. The vehicle looked more like a small car on a bling wheel set up, the kind that Monster trucks looks like (a miniature here). I have my own doubts about the stability of the vehicle on sudden turns.
	() Thanks

30th October 2009, 10:49	#222
Gooney BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Guwahati Posts: 348 Thanked: 78 Times	A historical event. From flashlights, cell phones, DVD players, et al to automobiles. Phew! China is here. Though I would've felt much more comfortable if Geely or FAW would have done the honors instead of Zotye. Premier Automobiles did a good job of addressing the need for a mini-SUV, but they could have done better with the product offering...way better. My biggest concern is safety and Chinese products are infamous for being unreliable. From the looks of it, the RiO has a high CG and with a small wheelbase and narrow width. I would not be surprised to read about RiO's turning turtle in the newspapers. The TUD5 should be able to do a decent job, but I seriously doubt that RiO owners would have to visit dealerships pretty often for rattling body parts, loose plastic, broken knobs. I admit much of my observation is "mere speculation"; but the Chinese are the best in producing cheap inferior goods. So, if such issues should arise with the RiO, I would not at all be surprised. I will definitely not spend 5 lacs on the RiO. No sir!
	() Thanks

31st October 2009, 19:54	#223
amit V8 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: kolkata Posts: 1,070 Thanked: 217 Times	Premier did a good job by selecting that vehicle, because we don't have anything like it in the market. BUT...the car is awful, the engine is awful and it sucks!!! the market for which it is targeted has vehicles with better quality, fit & finish and engines. so premier need to keep an eye on that as well.
	() Thanks

26th November 2009, 09:23	#225
harishF1 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 72 Thanked: 22 Times	Though I dont stand the front and rear looks of the Xylo, I would still feel quite safe in it for a few extra lakhs compared to the Rio. Rio, conceptually is exceptional, but I have my doubts on the execution... Would surely not invest 5+ lakhs on a chinese vehicle with unestablished dealer network.
	() Thanks