2012 Premier Rio first drive

Compact SUVs were one of the highlights of the 2012 Auto Expo. While Ford unveiled its compact global SUV, the EcoSport, Maruti showcased its XA Alpha concept, and then there were the compact MPVs. This is a new niche in which manufacturers are now sensing serious potential, but guess which manufacturer was the first to tap into it? Premier Auto!

Maker of the venerable Padmini but now almost out of business, the Rio was Premier’s attempt at making a comeback into the Indian market, but the chink in its armour was its BS III compliant diesel engine due to which it could not be sold in bigger cities. The Auto Expo had Premier launch the Rio Plus, which boasts of a BS IV compliant 1.2-litre petrol engine to solve the problem.

Apart from the engine change the Rio has also been given a styling update, giving it a more contemporary look. Major changes have been made to the front, and the headlamps are now modern looking curvy units, along with a new bumper with integrated fog lamps and a larger, purposeful grille. Add to this body-coloured bumpers, and side-claddings, mirror-mounted indicators, chunky 15-inch tyres and a rear wheel cover and the Rio looks a lot more youthful.

Ground clearance is up by 5mm, and now stands at 200mm. Step inside and you notice the refreshed interiors, but the truth be told it is extremely dated and built very cheaply with poor quality. This might have been acceptable in the 80’s, not any more. However, the beige upholstery has given a sense of roominess to the cabin.

Ergonomics remain unchanged though, and the Rio is pretty cramped due to its narrow track and wheelbase. The driver's elbow tends to hit the door pads on the right while the front passenger too needs to deal with the same problem. The driver and passenger will constantly be hitting elbows and it is no better at the back where leg, knee, head and shoulder room are all at a premium. Hatchbacks today are considerably more spacious and comfortable.

Sitting under the hood is a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine developed by AVL, Austria, but manufactured in China and assembled at Premier's Pune plant. Engine refinement could be better. The power and torque figures stand at 76.6PS at 5800rpm and 103.9Nm produced between 3500 and 4250rpm. The engine lacks punch though, and the Rio feels slow.

It isn't torquey either, so I had to downshift quite often when negotiating uphill sections. The gearbox is not impressive either, and shift quality and feel leave something to be desired.

The Rio accelerated to 100kmph in 18.9 seconds making it three seconds quicker than the Rio diesel. The oil burner is much torquier and doesn't feel as sluggish.

Top speed recorded was 143.2kmph but the Rio is slow accelerating through gears. But stability under braking is impressive with ABS and the Rio comes to a full stop from 100kmph in 3.42 seconds, covering 48.66 metres. Ride quality is decent, but rear end tends to get bumpy over bad roads and undulations.

The Rio turns out to be a good alternative to a hatchback for city driving with its taller seating and compact dimensions despite being an SUV. But in comparison, lack of features and performance are its stumbling blocks.

The Rio tries to make up with its pricing though, and the Rio Plus petrol retails at Rs5.96 lakh, ex-showroom Pune for the base GX version (grey interiors) and Rs6.23 lakh for GLX version with alloy wheels, stereo and beige interiors.

Premier is also expected to launch the Rio Plus with the 1.3-litre Fiat-sourced Multijet engine soon, this move should help sell more Rios especially in bigger cities.

Snapshot: South Korea's 50 million dollar cake

New Delhi: A cake decorated with thirty 5.5-carat golden beryl and 15,000 crystal pieces is unveiled for the upcoming White Day at a Seoul hotel, South Korea, Monday, March 5, 2012. It goes on sale at a price of 50 million won ($44,700). White Day is observed in South Korea on March 14, one month after Valentine's Day, when men are supposed to give sweet to women. (Photo: AP)

Agent Vinod: Pakistan bans film for ISI reference

New Delhi: Pakistan has banned 'Agent Vinod', actor Saif Ali Khan's latest film with actress and girlfriend Kareena Kapoor. The film allegedly made references to the Pakistani spy agency Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

'Agent Vinod', written and directed by Sriram Raghavan, features Saif along with Kareena Kapoor in lead roles and is being released on March 23. Saif plays the role of an Indian RAW Agent. The film opens in the eastern Europe. Agent Vinod's partner in the film has joined hands with LeT or Russian mafia and he passes them all information but he is caught and killed, but he leaves a clue behind before he dies.

However, like a typical Bond movie, the mission for the desi spy seems to prevent nuclear war from happening. Agent Vinod is on a mission. Then a rollercoaster ride begins where he goes to Moscow and then to Pakistan to India to London to Capetown. And he saves nuclear war that was to happen in Delhi.

Windows 8 coming this October: Bloomberg

New Delhi: The next big Windows operating system from Microsoft is expected to be launched this October, according to Bloomberg. Citing sources, Bloomberg says the initial rollout will include devices running Intel and ARM chips.

Microsoft's next big ticket release happens in October, so that the company and PC manufacturers can make the best of the Christmas shopping season in the west.

The technology giant had first demonstrated its new operating system in June last year at the D: All Things Digital conference. The operating system is "touch first," which means it responds to finger swipes like other tablets, but will also respond to keyboards and mouses if they are attached. The home screen consists of various blocks of applications and looks like the Windows Phone interface.

Microsoft later released a developer preview, followed by a consumer preview on February 29, 2012. The company also unveiled a logo for Windows 8 in February this year.

HP had also recently announced that it will re-enter the tablet market with a Windows 8 device in late 2012.

Asia Cup 2012: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Match 6

Scorecard

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Ban vs SL, Asia Cup: As it happened

Bangladesh innings:

38th over: That's it! Bangladesh have won! A boundary to finish the things of. Mahmudullah was not out on 32 from 33 balls and Nasir Hossain scored 36 from 61 ball. The crowd at Mirpur is on its feet and the celebrations are certainly going to carry on through the night. The hosts have made it to the final of the Asia Cup 2012. They were better side than Sri Lanka today in all departments. They will now face Pakistan in the finals.

AFP

35th over: It's 199 for 5 after 35 overs. Just 13 more needed for Bangladesh to enter Asia Cup finals and break hearts of 1.2 billion Indian fans.

33rd over: This is just pathetic stuff by Sri Lankan bowlers. Farveez Maharoof sixth over gives up eleven runs thanks to wayward bowling. 17 runs to win from 42 balls. Every run is now wildly cheered by this Bangladesh crowd.

32nd over: Pretty impressive stuff by Bangladesh batsmen. Mahmudullah and Hossain are picking up boundaries at regular interval and at the same time they rotating the strike very well. Six runs came of Dilshan's over. Surely Bangladesh can't lose from here. Its 184 for 5.

30th over: Poor stuff by Sri Lankan bowlers. Everything going Bangladesh's way and wayward bowling is not at all helping Sri Lanka's cause. Perfect partnership at perfect time for the host nation. Eight runs came for the over and Bangladesh are set to reach their first Asia Cup finals and knock out India in process. Bangladesh are 174/5 after 30 overs.

28th over: Not a good comeback over for Lakmal. The line and length was not upto the mark. Twelve runs came of the over and Bangladesh are favourite from here. Bangladesh now need just 51 runs from 72 balls.

26th over: Mahmudullah and Nasir Hossain are in the middle and surely this partnership is key if Bangladesh have any chance of making it to the finals. Bangladesh are 144 for 5 after 26.

24th over: Big wicket for Sri Lanka. Shakib departs after a well made

56 off just 46 balls. Intelligent stuff by Senaanayke. Tossed up on middle, it skids on with the angle, Shakib was caught on the crease and unable to get any bat on that.

Shakib Al Hasan lbw b Senanayake 56(46)

22nd over: Shakib Al Hasan brings up his 24th ODI fifty in just 43 balls. Eight runs were scored from the over and Sri Lanka had two half chances to get rid of the danger man Shakib. But everything going Bangladesh way at the moment.

20th over: Short and wide delivery from Senanayke outside the off stump, Tamim goes for a square cut and can't keep the ball down. Thirimanne at backward point takes a fine diving catch.

Tamim c Thirimanne b Senanayake 59

17th over: Tamim Iqbal brings up his fifty and the Bangladeshis are on fire. Eleven runs come off the over and the total progresses to 102/3.

11th over: Shakib Al Hasan goes after Suranga Lakmal, smashes the bowler for three consecutive fours to take the Bangladesh score to 70/3.

8th over: Bangladesh three down! Captain Mushfiqur Rahim plays all over a delivery from Kulasekara and is comprehensively bowled.

Mushfiqur Rahim b Kulasekara 1

7th over: Islam's mistimed pull shot of Suranga Lakmal finds the fielder at mid-on and Bangladesh lose their second wicket.

Jahurul Islam c Kapugedera b Lakmal 2

5th over: Tamim Iqbal has helped himself to a couple of glorious boundaries on the off side, and Bangladesh move on to 25/1 at the end of the over.

2nd over: Kulasekara gets the early breakthrough for Sri Lanka by sending back Nazimuddin. The batsman tries to cut the ball but only succeeds in getting an inside edge on to his stumps.

Nazimuddin b Nuwan Kulasekara 6

7:20 p.m. IST Play to restart in 10 minutes. Bangladesh need 212 to win in 40 overs.

6:45 p.m. IST More delay in store! Some wet patches have kept play from starting again. Another inspection is expected soon.

6:30 p.m. IST News filtering in that we can have a start in another 30 minutes if no more rain. Roughly by 7 p.m. IST, which will be 7:30 in Sri Lanka.

6:10 p.m. IST For information, if we can't get any further play today, the game resumes tomorrow from where it ended. So Bangladesh will still be chasing 233 to reach the final. But hang on, the covers are coming off as we deliver this piece of info.

5:50 a.m. IST A light drizzle has delayed the start of the Bangladesh reply. The hosts don't have to worry too much though, as the match can be continued tomorrow if 20 overs are not bowled in the innings.

Sri Lanka Innings:

50th over: Bowled! Malinga walks back! Mortaza gets into the wicket-takers' list. It's 230 for 9. And off the penultimate ball, Senanayake gets run out to make it 232 all out. A realistic chance for Bangladesh to get into the finals.

S Lakmal run out 0 (1)

L Malinga b Mashrafe Mortaza 10 (13)

49th over: One over to go and it's 230 for 8. Sri Lanka have something to bowl at now. Senanayake and Malinga getting some useful runs.

46th over: Shahadat strikes, removes Tharanga! Gone for 48, while trying to slice a full, away-swinging delivery that found the edge on its way to the wicketkeeper. Sri Lanka 204 for 8.

U Tharanga c Mushfiqur Rahim b Shahadat Hossain 48 (44)

43rd over: LBW! Sri Lanka falling apart here. Shakib once again strikes for Bangladesh, traps Kulasekara off a flatter delivery. The scorecard looking terrible at 183 for 7.

N Kulasekara lbw b Shakib Al Hasan 1 (4)

41st over: Another one falls! Shakib does the trick for Bangladesh this time to induce an edge as Maharoof tries to cut a flighted delivery. Mushfiqur does the rest by catching it cleanly. Sri Lanka 175 for 6.

F Maharoof c Mushfiqur Rahim b Shakib Al Hasan 3 (3)

40th over: Wicket for Bangladesh to end an economical batting powerplay. Top-scorer Kapugedera hits it straight to Shakib at extra cover who takes a fine, low catch. 28 runs and a wicket in the powerplay sounds good for Bangladesh. Sri Lanka 169 for 5.

C Kapugedera c Shakib Al Hasan b Abdur Razzak 62 (92)

38th over: Fifty for Kapugedera! Bangladesh have been on the ball in this batting powerplay. Three of the five overs are out of the way and Sri Lanka have just scored 16 runs.

35th over: It's 141 for 4 and the next five overs will be batting powerplay. With Kapugedera and Tharanga at the crease, we can see some fireworks, but the Lankans have to be careful with their wickets as well.

32nd over: Stumped! Thirimanne has to walk back! The Sri Lankan can call himself unlucky. The ball ricocheted off wicketkeeper Mushfiqur's pads to knock off the bails while Thirimanne was out of his crease. Sri Lanka 120 for 4.

L Thirimanne st Mushfiqur Rahim b Abdur Razzak 48 (73)

31st over:Thirimanne and Kapugedera have done well to take the score to 114 for 3. Important now that they stay together when the batting powerplay arrives from the 36th over onwards.

28th over: Sri Lanka reach 100 off the last ball. Big relief! But more is needed to beat this spirited Bangladeshi side.

24th over: The fifty-run partnership is up between Kapugedara and Thirimanne. Great stuff under pressure by both batsmen. Sri Lanka 84 for 3.

23rd over: Spinners are operating at both ends. It's Shakib and Mahmudullah. Three from the Mahmudullah over. Sri Lanka 81 for 3.

19th over: Sri Lanka 63 for 3. Slow scoring rate but it's understandable. Early wickets have led to all this. A big partnership is the need of the hour.

15th over: It's drinks break! Sri Lanka 48 for 3. Thirumanne has hit a couple of good boundaries so far. Hopefully, he continues his exploits. It will be good for both Sri Lanka and India. Mind you, India will be out if Bangladesh win today.

13th over: Sri Lanka 40 for 3. Chamara Kapugedara and Lahiru Thirimanne now have a big job on their hands after three early wickets. A big partnership is needed. Will they provide it? That's the question.

10th over: Dilshan out. Plays on. Tries to push the ball through the off-side and chops it onto his stumps. Nazmul Hossain is having a ball, it was his third wicket. Sri Lanka 32 for 3.

Dilshan b Nazmul Hossain 19 (22)

8th over: Sanga out. Plays a wide one from Hossain straight into the hands of Nazimuddin at cover. Second wicket for the bowler. Sri Lanka 32 for 2.

Sangakkara c Nazimuddin b Nazmul Hossain 6 (14)

7th over: Sri Lanka 27 for 1. The runs are not coming freely. Both batsmen, Dilshan and Sangakkara look bogged down right now.

4th over: Mahela out. The ball by Nazmul Hossain swings in and Mahela finds his stumps rattled. Tries to play across. Great stuff. Sri Lanka 19 for no loss.

Jayawardene b Nazmul Hossain 5 (12)

1st over: Mashrafe Mortaza opens the bowling for the hosts. Good over by him. Sri Lanka 1 for no loss.

1:00 pm: Bangladesh win the toss and bowl first against Sri Lanka. Sunil Gavaskar says there are chances of rain.

The dangerous pair of Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan strolls out to the middle. Sri Lanka are already out, but they will do India a big favour today if they beat the Bangladeshis. Certainly, Indian fans should be glued to their television sets.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Nazimuddin, Jahurul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim (captain and keeper), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Nazmul Hossain

Sri Lanka: Tillakratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara (keeper), Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Farveej Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Chamara Kapugedera, Sachithra Senanayake

Welcome to the match number 6 between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Asia Cup. If Bangladesh win today, they will be through to the final and India will be out, as the hosts lead the head-to-head against MS Dhoni's team. Remember, Pakistan are already in the final. All this make it a thrilling prospect.