Reliant Kitten

Reliant Kitten/Sipani Dolphin. 1975–85 (prod. 4,074 Kitten only). 3-door saloon, 3-door estate. F/R, 848 cm³ (I4 OHV). Light, four-wheel version of Reliant Robin Mk I, with interior space liberated thanks to relocation of engine forwards. Turning circle at 23 ft. Fibreglass body designed by Ogle, mounted on a steel frame, with front double wishbone suspension. Engine produced 40 PS. Not very successful, priced well above the Mini, and after UK production ended in 1982, it found a second life in India as the Sipani Dolphin, from 1982 to 1985, but its high price, coupled with its two-door body, limited sales. Sipani’s lack of a national dealer network, reliability problems and the fibreglass construction on India’s rough roads also hampered its success there.

Manufacturing locations: Tamworth, Staffordshire, England; Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Marque: Reliant | Predecessor: SAIL Badal 4 | Successor: Sipani Montana