DISCONTINUED
Discontinued on Jan 1990

Fiat Millicento

The Fiat Millicento was an older compact saloon based on early Fiat architecture and sold in India in a limited capacity, powered by a 1.1-litre petrol engine. It was part of Fiat's earlier Indian presence and was eventually discontinued without a direct replacement as the brand's lineup evolved.
₹10 Lakh*
Last Recorded Price in 2026
Fiat Millicento Key Specs
E20 Compatible
Yes
Engine Size
1089 cc
Mileage
14.6 kmpl
Fuel Type
Petrol

Fiat Millicento Overview

user avatar
Salil Kumar
Updated October 6, 2026

The Fiat Millicento was among the earliest Fiat cars to establish a presence in India, arriving in 1954, just a year after its international debut. The compact four-door sedan was initially imported from Italy and soon assembled locally by Premier Automobiles in Mumbai.

The Millicento name came from the Italian pronunciation of 1100, and the car combined a small footprint with relatively generous cabin space for its time.

Fiat later introduced the 1100 Delight in India in 1964, which evolved into the Premier President and eventually the Premier Padmini. This Fiat 1100 family remained a familiar sight on Indian roads for decades, with local production ultimately continuing under Premier branding.

The 1100's Indian production history stretched until 2000, making it one of the country's longest-running car designs.

Engine and Performance

The Fiat Millicento used a simple and reliable 1089cc petrol engine. This four-cylinder motor was small but worked well for Indian roads during the 1950s. It produced about 36 horsepower, which was enough for daily driving at that time. The car used a four-speed manual gearbox to manage the power. All the energy went to the back wheels through a rear-wheel-drive system. Because it was a light car, the engine helped it move smoothly in city traffic. This motor was famous for being easy to fix and very durable for long trips. It did not have any modern electric battery technology because it was an old petrol car. The mechanical design was basic so that local mechanics could repair it easily. Owners liked this model because the engine was honest and did its job without many problems for many years.

interior

The Fiat Millicento had a very basic and clean cabin. It was designed to carry a small family comfortably during the 1950s. Inside the car, there were simple bench seats for the driver and the passengers. This setup allowed up to 5 people to sit together. The dashboard was made of metal and had very few buttons. You could find a round speedometer and a few basic switches for the lights. The windows were moved up and down using manual handles on the doors. The car did not have air conditioning or power steering. The floor was covered with a flat rubber mat to make cleaning very easy. Because it was an early car in India, the space inside was used well. The steering wheel was large and thin, which was common for that time. Everything in this model was built to be practical and strong.

exterior

The Fiat Millicento features a classic design from the 1950s. This model has a compact body with a rounded shape that was very common back then. At the front, the car has round headlights and a basic chrome grille. It uses small metal bumpers at both the front and the back. The car was assembled in Mumbai starting in 1954. Its body is made of solid steel panels. The wheels are small and often come with round metal covers. The windows are narrow and the roof has a curved look. This car does not have sharp lines or modern bright lights. It looks very different from the new cars we see today. Most versions came in solid colors like grey or blue. The car is short and simple to park because of its tiny size. This vintage look makes it easy to spot on the road.

competition

The Fiat Millicento faced competition from several early cars in the Indian market. During the 1950s, its main rival was the Hindustan Landmaster. This model later became the famous Hindustan Ambassador. Another strong competitor was the Standard Vanguard. These cars were all popular choices for Indian families at that time. The car was a smaller vehicle compared to the Landmaster. Many people liked the Fiat Millicento because it was easy to drive in city traffic. It was sold for about 10.00 Lakh in some price records. While other cars were larger, this model offered a different style for buyers. The Standard 10 was also a rival during those early years. All these vehicles helped start the car culture in India. Today, these cars are mostly seen in old car collections. This model remains special for many car fans in the country.

Fiat Millicento FAQs

When was the Fiat Millicento discontinued in India?

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The original Millicento evolved into later versions of the Fiat 1100 rather than ending as a separate model. The 1100-based Premier Padmini continued until production ended in 2000.

What replaced the Fiat Millicento in India?

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The Millicento was followed by successive versions of the Fiat 1100, including the 1100D and 1100 Delight, before the model evolved into the Premier President and Premier Padmini.

Fiat Millicento