[indian21r]

In a way it looks like mini Cooper. The changes to headlight are really nice. It is some of the other things like chrome factory that are blown out of proporation.

[adg_andy]

It seems Ambassador CS R&D has just been started by the Birla Group.

http://www.rediff.com/business/slide...20130319.htm#1

Next question: If R&D has just started, what is it that we are seeing on road?

[MaxTorque]

Friends today morning I spotted an unsual HM Ambassador in Pune. It was a stretched Ambassador with a middle window between two s windows (total three windows). It sported a MP-11-CC-0XXX license plate and looked like it has been on road for some time now. Have any one seen such an Ambassador variant..?

[rohanjf]

Originally Posted by MaxTorque

Friends today morning I spotted an unsual HM Ambassador in Pune. It was a stretched Ambassador with a middle window between two s windows (total three windows). It sported a MP-11-CC-0XXX license plate and looked like it has been on road for some time now. Have any one seen such an Ambassador variant..?

What you spotted was Ambi limo. There was/is a company where you could buy a new Ambi limo. If I recall correctly, they would buy new Ambassador, cut across and add additional metal in the middle to extend it. I don't think it had any support from HM. It was just an aftermarket job.

[JayPrashanth]

Link to News Section

Later this year, C.K. Birla group owned Hindustan Motors will launch a new variant of the Ambassador, in the form of a compact sedan version. The Ambassador compact sedan will be launched by the end of 2013. According to details carried by the TimesOfIndia, the Ambassador compact sedan will sport a length of under 4 meters, thereby allowing it to be classified as a small car under the Indian government's norms.



Note: Images of the Hindustan Ambassador used in this report are used for illustrative purposes.

In India, cars measuring under 4 meters in length, with a petrol engine capacity under 1.2 liters and a diesel engine capacity under 1.5 liters, qualify for lower excise. The idea behind the lower excise for compact cars is to minimize congestion and to give incentives to manufacturers who build more fuel efficient cars. These norms have prompted car makers to launch a new sub-segment of cars dubbed compact sedans.

The Tata Indigo eCS, a shortened version of the Indigo sedan, was the first compact sedan to be launched in India. Since then, Maruti Suzuki has launched a sub-4 meter Dzire, followed by Honda launching the Amaze. So, the compact sedan variant of the Ambassador will be the fourth such product to be launched in India. The compact sedan variant could use the new, BS-4 compliant turbo diesel engine that Hindustan Motors has developed with Austrian major Magna Steyr.



Apart from the new compact sedan variant, the Ambassador will get a revamp in 2014. The revamped car will be based on the existing Ambassador platform, but is touted to come with many more features. Also, the new Ambassador will be given an once over in terms of looks in order to appeal to younger car buyers. More details about the revamped Ambassador variant is expected to be revealed in the coming months.

Recently, Hindustan Motors invited media and dealer contingents to sample the BS-4 diesel engined Ambassador. The car is currently available with BS-4 compliant petrol and CNG engines. However, the diesel engined car variant, which is only BS-3 emission norms compliant, cannot be sold in bigger Indian cities, which have already migrated to BS-4 emission norms. The launch of the BS-4 emission norms-compliant, turbo diesel engined model is expected to boost sales of the car.

The new, turbo diesel engined version of the Ambassador will be launched in the coming months. Notably, the Ambassador has been crowned the world's best taxi in a Top Gear shootout, with the car edging out rivals from across the globe. The Ambassador is built at Hindustan Motors's Uttarpara factory, in West Bengal. The Ambassador, which began life as the Morris Oxford in the United Kingdom, has been in serial production in India since 1958.

Over 6 generations of the instantly recognizable car have been sold in India, and the Ambassador has come to become an indelible part of the Indian automotive landscape.

[desertfox]

It has been voted as the most sucessful taxi of all time in the world. Great going amby, in India there will always be customers for the amby.

On a recent trip to Calcutta I did travel in one and enjoyed the experience. Often I dream of restoring one with a Isuzy 2000 cc diesel in it.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by desertfox

Often I dream of restoring one with a Isuzy 2000 cc diesel in it.

I have driven one of these and boy is it quick by Amby standards. Could keep up with a Suzuki Zen to a certain point. The turbo charger ensured it was fun to drive too. This was a variant from the factory with disc brakes up front. The modulation of the brakes were very poor though.

[Sommos]

The HM Amby presently measures 4375mm in length. Chopping off 375mm (i.e. 12.80 inches) would not be an easy task.
I hope they do not compromise on the cabin space.
The great back seat comfort is the main USP of the Amby.

[desertfox]

They can knock off the boot a bit and fit the engine inside a smaller hood.

The USP of the Amby is that it can seat your entire family.

[abybabykcc]

They should do a complete overhaul on the design; perhaps look at the London cab for inspiration. The London cab has the retro looks and the interior space and is perhaps slightly smaller in overall length than the Amby.

[ron_9191]

When the rest of the world are done with compact sedans, here comes the Amby CS. If the Amby CS looks the same, what took them so long?

[samarjitdhar]

Rather than doing a CS version they should focus on getting their BS IV version out. They have missed all possible deadlines that could have been on this. Even in May this year the MD Uttam Bose was boasting about having the BSIV version out by June when the extended deadline for allowing sale of BSIII Ambys for the taxi segment ended. Its July now and still no sign of the BSIV 1.5L Amby. They should immediately phase out these smoke belchers from the streets of Kolkata. And anyway for them the bells are tolling http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/21259850.cms and they are hardly bothered. Instead he is waxing eloquent about coming out tops in a mock race in a Top Gear show. Just demonstrates the lack of seriousness and the total clueless attitude of the HM management.

[simplyself]

Looks apart, what happens to chassis and suspension?

Dynamics are quite bad. Handling is one of the worst for any car.

When there was no alternative, the car rode okay but with contemporary cars, its much touted ride would be quite jarring.

I believe the most important factor would be its ride and handling, apart from looks and power train, if HM chooses to upgrade the Ambassador. Which means there will be very little from the old car.

It is surprising why HM didnt make any noticeable effort to keep up with market what with all these ties-up with Isuzu, GM, Mitsubishi. I guess they were content with making engines and gearboxes for others. And whenever they see a threat from Govt of taking back the land, they make some noises about upgrading Amby.

No offense meant, but I believe it is a waste of time to speak about rejuvenation of Ambassador. This car went out of reckoning more than two decades ago and if this time is not enough for HM to keep it in contention, one may as well ignore.

I know many people who bought a new car - in mid and late 90s - opted for a change of engine within 6 months. The Trekker engine used to be replaced by imported, used Isuzu engine.

PS: I owned and drove Ambassador for 11 years.

[rohanjf]

Motorbeam reports:
http://www.motorbeam.com/cars/hm-amb...diesel-engine/

HM Ambassador Compact Sedan To Get Fiat Diesel Engine

Set for an unveil at the 2014 Auto Expo, the Ambassador compact sedan will go on sale in the first half of 2014. Since the car is ducking under the 4-metre mark, it needs smaller engines and currently HM only has a 1.5-litre diesel powerplant in its arsenal which produces a paltry 49 BHP of power and 112.5 Nm of torque. Thus the company plans to source a more powerful diesel engine and the supplier of choice is none other than Fiat. Yes, HM is in talks with Fiat for supply of 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engines for the Ambassador CS which will output 75 BHP and 190 Nm. Expect the vehicle to positioned against modern hatchbacks

[shankar.balan]

Imagine if they completely change its heart to a big powerful refined Diesel engine.
Add in a few good modifications like Disc Brakes all around along with a fine tuned suspension set up which provides a really plush, comfy ride. Include ABS, Airbags and other safety stuff to the max possible.

Have both sets of doors open like the famous Rolls Royce "suicide doors"
Jazz up the insides with lots of wood, leather, plush carpeting and have some great things inside like a top quality entertainment system, mini bar and everything else you can ask for.

Start marketing it as a "Plutocrat's Retromobile" in limited numbers and I am sure there will be takers.
There could also be a top quality "Taxi Version" which they could specifically target all the Heritage Hotels, Resorts and "Period" Tour Operators with. That also could be a super success if marketed well.

If some sensible steps and selective kinds of surgery are undertaken, then a complete second life can be breathed into the old dog yet!