Ambassador set to get a facelift!

With over 35 lush and plush national and international car brands in India offering their cars, Hindustan Motors is on the brink of being forgotten.

But Hindustan Motors Ambassador continues to be the limousine of the government and still offers a characteristic look and aura to a bureaucrat or politician with a flashing red beacon on the top.

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However, in the recent years some replacements have taken its place and Hindustan Motors has in a nimbly manner allowed entrants to take over.

Unlike Volkswagen Beetle that is the most loved car of the Germans and it has been upgraded and changed to match present day requirements, HM has somewhat neglected the Ambassador.

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Now, with dwindling sales, HM has decided to resurrect Ambassador and also to introduce new vehicle soon.

Let's get into flashback as how HM Ambassador has evolved and what are HM's plans to resurrect Ambassador.

Ambassador has single handedly ruled Indian roads since 1948 till Premier Padmini arrived in 1967. It was the first car to be manufactured in India.

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When it arrived it was not known as Ambassador but as 'Birla ji ki car' (Birla's car).

Soon it became popular and also became a 'government vehicle' and replaced cars such as Morris E Series, Ford Deluxe and others that were mostly imported in India.

Ambassador is based on British car-Morris Oxford, a 4-door saloon.

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Ambassador underwent infrequent changes and evolved in looks from Mark I to Mark IV from 1957 to 1979.

Then Nova appeared in early '90's which was available in both diesel and petrol with some style changes and better components and equipments.

Nova was replaced by Ambassador 1800 ISZ that housed a 75bhp Isuzu engine with 5-speed and bucket seats replacing the bench seats.

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Soon in 2000 came Ambassador Classic with floor gear lever rather than the steering column mounted gear shift lever.

In 2003, came Ambassador Grand, which still is in the fleet.

In 2004, came Avigo with different styling and changed looks almost similar to Mark IV.

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Hindustan Ambassador is currently available in two models- Classic and Grand.

These cars are available in a variety of engine choices pertaining to fuel and power.

Ambassador is available in petrol, diesel, LPG and CNG options. Ambassador starts at Rs. 430,000 ex-showroom in New Delhi.

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If we ponder over what went wrong with Ambassador all replies will point towards passiveness of HM.

With such a huge lineage and established brand and a car that has been tried and tested for years, it could not die an untimely death.

Sensing this, HM has decided to resurrect Ambassador soon.

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The new Ambassador will have new looks, probably on the interiors more, dynamics, new engine, comfortable cabin and a variety of safety features such as airbags.

The common rail engine will replace the age old Isuzu engines. HM will produce these engines which will be BSIV complaint.

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The dashboard is expected to have enhanced controls rather than plain audio and AC buttons.

Though there is no official disclosure of the makeover but reports suggest a complete makeover of the Amby is in the making to match with current SX4's and other sedans in India.