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  • Reliant Rialto Mk2 (1983-1998)
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Reliant
Motor Cars
1980s
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History

Reliant Rialto 2

 Reliant Rialto 2 car

Manufacturer

Reliant

Production

1983 to 1998

Predecessor

Reliant Robin

Class

Three-wheeled car

Body style

3-door hatchback, 3-door estate

Layout

FMR layout, with single front wheel

Engine

0.85 L OHV I4

Wheel base 85 in, 216 cm 
Width 57 in, 145 cm
Ground clearance 5 in, 12.7 cm
Weight 962 1b, 436 kg

 

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.

 

Technical

  • Reliant Rialto Mk2 Technical details and specifications (1983-1998)

    ENGINE
    location front
    4 stroke; 4 cylinders, in line
    51.7 cu in, 848 cc (2.46 x 2.72 in, 62.5 x 69.1 mm)
    compression ratio: 10.5:1
    light alloy block and head
    3 crankshaft bearings
    valves: overhead, push-rods and rockers
    camshafts: 1, side
    lubrication: rotary pump, full flow filter5.5 imp pt, 6.6 US pt
    SU type HS2 1 1/4 semi-downdraught carburettor
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    water-cooled

    TRANSMISSION
    driving wheels: rear
    clutch: single dry plate
    gearbox: mechanical; gears: 4, fully synchronized
    gearbox ratios: 1st 3.880, 2nd 2.050, 3rd 1.320, 4th 1, rev 3.250
    Gear lever location:central
    final drive: spiral bevel
    axle ratio: 2.780

    CHASSIS
    type box-section ladder frame, tubular cross members
    front suspension: single wheel, swinging leading arm, coil springs, telescopic dampers
    rear: rigid axle, semi-elliptic leafsprings, anti-roll bar, telescopic dampers.

    STEERING
    worm and peg
    turns lock to lock: 2.25
    turning circle: 27 ft, 8.2 m

    BRAKES
    drum, dual circuit
    swept area: front 33 sq in, 213sq cm
    swept area: front rear 55 sq in, 355 sq cm
    swept area: front total 88 sq in, 568 sq cm,

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    12 V
    battery 30 Ah
    altenator 28 Ah
    Lucas distributor
    (option) electronic ignition.

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
    wheel base: 85 in, 216 cm
    front and rear track: 49 in, 124 cm
    length: 133 in, 338 cm
    length GLS saloon: 134 in, 340 cm
    width: 57 in, 145 cm
    height: 55 in, 140 cm
    ground clearance: 5 in, 12.7 cm
    weight: 962 1b, 436 kg
    weight distribution: 35% front, 65% rear

    © Motor car History

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Advanced Maintenance and Service Guides to download and save

Service

  • Reliant Rialto Mk2 Maintenance and Service Guide (1983-1998)

    Fuel: 97 oct petrol
    Engine oil change: 5.5 imp pt, 6.6 US pt, 3.1 1, SAE 20W-50, change every 6,000 miles, 9,700 km
    Water total: 5 imp pt, 5.9 US pt, 2.8 1.
    Gearbox 1.1 imp pt, 1.3 US pt, SAE 80 EP, change every 12,000 miles, 19,300 km
    Final drive 2.2 imp pt, 2.5 US pt, 1.2 1, SAE 90 EP
    Greasing every 6,000 miles, 9,700 km, 4 points
    Spark plug Motor craft AGR 32
    Tappet clearances: inlet 0.010 in, 0.25 mm exhaust 0.010 in, 0.25 mm
    Valve timing: 13° 72° 54° 29°
    Tyre pressure: front 30 psi, 2.1 atm, rear 24 psi, 1.7
    Width of rims: 3.5"
    Tyres: 5.20 x 10. (option) 145 x 10
    Carrying capacity: 788 1b, 357 kg
    Fuel tank: 6 imp gal, 7.1 US gal

    © Motor car History

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