Premier Padmini Amazing History | ഇന്ത്യക്കാരുടെ ആഡംബരമായിരുന്ന പ്രീമിയർ പദ്‌മിനിയുടെ വിശേഷങ്ങൾ

പ്രീമിയർ പദ്മിനി – കാർ പ്രേമികൾക്ക് സുപരിചിതമായ പേരാണത്. എൺപതുകളിൽ ഇന്ത്യൻ കാർ വിപണിയിലെ ആവേശമായിരുന്ന ആ ഉണ്ടക്കണ്ണൻ കാറുകളെ ഇന്ത്യക്കാർക്ക് അത്ര പെട്ടെന്ന് മറക്കാൻ കഴിയുമോ? #PremierPadmini #Fiat1100 #IndianCars The Premier Padmini is a four-seat saloon manufactured in India from 1964 to 2000 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. The Fiat 1100D, based on the Fiat 1200 GranLuce Berlina, debuted in India in 1964 with a carbureted 1,089 cc four-cylinder petrol engine — rather than the 1,221 cc engine fitted to the GranLuce in Italy. With a 10.8:1 compression ratio, it created 47 bhp (35 kW) at 4,800 rpm with a maximum torque of 7.20 kg⋅m (71 N⋅m; 52 lb⋅ft) at 3,000 rpm. The original transmission was a four-speed manual gearbox (without synchronized first gear), which drove the rear wheels via a live rear axle. Its shifter was mounted on the left of the steering column. Weighing 895 kg (1,973 lb), its top speed was 130 km/h (81 mph). Premier manufactured the Padmini at their Kurla plant in Bombay (now Mumbai) until they sold a majority stake to Fiat SpA in September 1997. The licensed vehicle was initially marketed as the Fiat 1100 Delight. For model year 1973, it was marketed as the Premier President and subsequently as the Premier Padmini. At its peak during the 1970s and 1980s, the car achieved immense popularity among youngsters, celebrities and women. Compared to the Hindustan Ambassador, it looked more modern, was more fuel-efficient and was very easy to drive. In 2014 numerous examples served as taxicabs in Mumbai, though these were being phased out due to regulations enacted in 2013 by the government disallowing vehicles over 20 years old.

Added 9 Apr 2026