Reliant Rialto 2

The Reliant Rialto Mk. II was a three-wheeled car that the Reliant Motor Company manufactured from 1981 to 1998 as the successor to the Robin model.

History

Reliant Rialto Mk. II was the second version of the Rialto with the improved aerodynamics of the new body style only two years after the first relase, the car was a much more stable vehicle at speed.

As early as March 1983, the Rialto Mk. II came with an "HT-E" engine increased in compression to 10.5:1, which was more economical than its predecessor ("E" stood for Economy), It was powered by Reliant's 850 cc aluminium water-cooled engine but still only with 37.5 bhp (27.6 kW). The Rialto was made in three different body types: saloon, estate and panel van the bestselling being the estate version. With a galvanised chassis and a fiberglass body, the Rialto was very resistant to corrosion. New to the Rialto was the single windscreen wiper, centrally located to clear the whole screen.

The car had the well-known 40 bhp (29 kW) engine The yellow painted rocker cover which gave the engine the nickname the yellow top model. Despite these measures, the factory had to realize that the fan community was not as enthusiastic about the Rialto as it was about the Robin. This gave the car a scary higher top speed of 100 mph, and a fuel economy figure of 72mpg at 56 mph helped by the changes to the rear axle ratio to 2.78/1 bur was later found to be poor for local town driving.

PERFORMANCE: Reliant Rialto Mk2

• max power (DIN): 37 hp (28 kW) at 5,000 rpm
• max torque (DIN): 49 1b ft, 6.8 kg m (67 Nm) at 3,000 rpm
• max engine rpm: 5,500; 43.6 hp/l (33 kW/l)
• power-weight ratio: 26 lb/hp (34.4 lb/kW), 11.8 kg/hp (15.6 kg/kW)
• acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 20.9 sec, 0-50 mph (0-80 km/h) 11.4 sec
• fuel consumption: 73.3 m/imp gal, 60.3 m/US gal at 56 mph, 90 km/h. 

The cheapest models came with vinyl seats, on the sportier GLS models better cloth seats along with GLS black plastic bumpers. In September 1986 there was a Newley released the Rialto SE a cheaper model than the rereleased Robin version.

 The Rialto was discontinued in 1998 while production of a new Robin model, introduced in 1989, continued and later in 1989, the factory brought out a new Robin, which was placed alongside the Rialto. The Rialto production along with the much sought-after Robin continued until 1998 and was then discontinued.