Premier is gearing up to launch its compact SUV Rio, equipped with a 87bhp 1.3-litre diesel MultiJet engine sourced from Fiat.

The company has already started trials of the vehicle. Speaking to our sister-magazine Autocar Professional, Rakesh Mehta, Head – Automobile division, Premier, said “We’ll launch the vehicle shortly.” 

The Rio 1.3 MultiJet will be crucial as it allow Premier to sell the diesel variant in the BS IV markets. The Rio’s petrol version meets BS IV norms but the current diesel variant with the TUD5 engine complies only to BS III norms. Unlike the TUD5 engine, which Premier manufactures at its Pune plant under license from Peugeot, the upcoming 1.3 MultiJet motor will be bought directly from Fiat.

Premier is also planning a new ad campaign that may be launched along with the forthcoming Rio 1.3 MultiJet. This will include a television commercial and will aim at a change in the brand positioning. It will focus on Rio as ‘India’s first and only compact SUV’, a move from its current positioning as ‘India’s first compact SUV’. 

The compact SUV space is set to see some new players starting from this year. Global and domestic OEMs like Ford, Mahindra, Hyundai and Suzuki are lining up models for this segment. Ford and M&M are expected to launch their models this year.