Premier Padmini
The Premier Padmini was a four-seat saloon manufactured in India from 1964 to 2001 by Premier Automobiles Limited, a division of the Walchand Group, under license from Fiat and marketed initially as the Fiat 1100 Delight — and from 1974 as the Premier Padmini. The Padmini's primary competitors in the Indian market were the Hindustan Ambassador and Standard Herald. This famous car ruled the Indian car market and its popularity peaked during 1970s and 80s. Many celebrities of the time including Rajnikanth, Mammootty, Aamir Khan owned a Premier Padmini during its prime years. Known colloquially as the Pad, or Fiat (since the Padmini was originally a Fiat car), the Padmini is named after a 14th-century Rajput princess. Padmini translates to "she who sits on the lotus" and refers to the Goddess Lakshmi. It was also a common name for girls in India at the time.
| Premier Padmini | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Premier Automobiles |
| Also called | Fiat 1100 Delight Premier President |
| Production | 1964-2001 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact car |
| Body style | 4-door saloon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Fiat 1100D |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1,089 cc Fiat 103 I4 . 1,366 cc "PAD 137N" naturally aspirated . 1,089 cc "S1". |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual. |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,340 mm (92 in) |
| Length | 3,905–3,940 mm (153.7–155.1 in) |
| Width | 1,460 mm (57 in) |
| Height | 1,470 mm (58 in) |
| Curb weight | 895 kg (1,973 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Fiat 1100 |
| Successor | Premier 118NE |