Models and versions Hindustan Ambassador

1 models , versions

1.1 historic

1.1.1 mark-i
1.1.2 mark-ii
1.1.3 mark-iii
1.1.4 mark iv
1.1.5 ambassador nova
1.1.6 ambassador 1800 isz, classic


1.2 final generation

1.2.1 ambassador grand
1.2.2 ambassador avigo
1.2.3 ambassador encore


1.3 other variants

1.3.1 extended version


1.4 customised version

models , versions
historic
mark-i

in 1957, hindustan motors, further earlier collaboration morris motors, had become british motor corporation after merger austin motors, entered agreement manufacture 1956 morris oxford series iii in india. tooling transferred uttarpara plant in india. car rebadged ambassador (later called mark 1) launched in mid-1957 , model morris oxford series ii derived hindustan landmaster discontinued. new model included deep headlamp cowls , small rear wing tail fins — rage in 1956. dashboard , steering wheel redesigned. landmaster s flat-plane two-spoke steering wheel gave way dished steering wheel 3 spokes made-up of 4 wires per spoke, ambassador. new, dimpled bonnet made debut. these models had austin motors derived 1476 cc side-valve petrol engine. in 1959 side-valve engine replaced 1489 cc, 55 bhp overhead-valve bmc b-series petrol engine.

mark-ii

in january 1964 ambassador underwent frontal facelift closely chequered grill more reminiscent of morris mini. interior had redesigned dashboard , instrument cluster. models have sun mica sheet replaced wood grain coated plywood , aluminium bezel in later models (1968 onwards). model named ambassador mark ii, , version got dubbed mark i in market, while never officially christened such in production days.

the mid-sixties model again had minor changes tail lamp integrated lens indicator , danger lamp , tall ornamented bumper stopper mark i redesigned smaller chrome metal stopper keep times. model sold until mid-1975 , replaced mark iii model. being 1 of ubiquitous models of ambassador numerous older versions can found in restoration, garages , in numerous indian movies of era. in final years in 1975 had no competition other premier padmini , smaller rival standard gazel.

mark-iii

in 1975 mark 3 version launched frontal facelift. front grill had horizontal louvres giving modern feel , round profile indicator lamp isolated grill. @ rear more modern looking number plate bezel replaced design commonly used many other british cars well. interior had new dashboard 3 standard instruments mounted on black recessed mesh again moving away coated wooden base aluminium strip design. 1978, mark 3 available in standard , deluxe versions. deluxe version had newer dashboard 4 meters plus speedometer. before launch of mark 4, mark 3 s had front windscreen wiper configuration changed, common direction sweep both wipers.this configuration prevalent in new ambassadors till end. has short span of less 3 years in production before being replaced mark - iv model in 1977.

in 1977 , 1978 ambassador mark 3 available 1760 cc version of morris 1.5-litre inline-four, have enough power propel full air conditioning system. option continued available mark iv, few sold , discontinued in 1979.

mark iv

in 1979 ambassadors front went through major facelift departing flatter design of 1950s retained till end in 2014. front grill smaller in height larger chequered grill , square park lamps. separate amber indicator lamps incorporated on semi front lip spoiler below bumper, mounted higher up. model named mark 4. in addition existing petrol version, diesel variant launched powered 1489 cc, 37 bhp bmc b-series diesel engine. first diesel car in india , received indians, although available taxi or government usage, indian government restricted private ownership of diesel automobiles. mark iv last of mark cars. short period cars available deluxe & later renamed ambassador nova. ambassador of 1990 (except front cowl area) virtually identical 1956 original, changes being light , cosmetic. changes front styling , minor changes dashboard. technological stagnation because of protectionist policies being pursued indian government @ time, , there little incentive on part of indian companies innovate.

the car celebrated golden jubilee of production in 2008 (1958-2008). ambassador has emerged car mass-produced longest number of years, minimal design changes, on same assembly line (uttarpara, west bengal, india) in whole world until 2014. team of 6 engineers headed jaishankar tewari jaipur, rajasthan said under lab work 2.5 years when hardly met families.

it during model run india launched controlled economic liberalisation in mid 1980s allowed many japanese companies set joint ventures in india. maruti suzuki launched maruti 800 in non existing small car category. existing manufacturers standard motors, premier automobiles , hindustan motors granted licensees bigger category cars. ambassador still remained principal family car of choice in middle segment in spite being pre-modern design dated styling. company earmarked major upgrade mechanical , power plant systems, creating model later launched nova .

ambassador nova


the updated dashboard of ambassador nova

the ambassador nova launched in 1990 in 2 variants—a 55 bhp petrol-powered deluxe version , 37 bhp diesel-powered diesel dx version. ambassador nova received newly designed steering wheel, new steering column, better brakes , electricals. brake pedal top-hinged, while earlier central instrumentation flanked 2 glove compartments replaced more conventional setup single glovebox. had cosmetic changes included new radiator grille, while retaining square turn signals of earlier mark iv.

ambassador 1800 isz, classic

in attempt increase appeal, in 1992 version released. dubbed ambassador 1800 isz, model featured 75 bhp 1817 cc isuzu inline-four engine , five-speed manual gearbox floor shift. had benefit of allowing option of bucket seats, opposed earlier bench seats. also, entire dashboard redesigned. instrumentation panels shifted centre of dashboard right, behind steering wheel. seat belts became standard.

the isuzu 1817 cc engine used in luxury model hm contessa 1.8 gl produced power of 88 bhp detuned new ambassador. same power plant available since 1985, special order armour plated, vip models. 1990s, 1817 cc/ 75 bhp (at 5000 rpm), ohc, isuzu engine, had 4 in-line cylinders , max torque of 13.8 kgm @ 3000 rpm, available option, in ambassadors commonly available sale , reliable modern japanese engine proved success last entire production run.

this model gained classic moniker @ 1998 delhi motor show, , ambassador classics have since been available gamut of 1.5 2.0-liter petrol, cng, , diesel engines installed across ambassador lineup. 1500 diesel engine, main seller hindustan, did not pass bharat iv emissions , of 2011 no longer allowed sold in 13 of india s major cities. met end of classic range, eliminated of taxi market.

final generation
ambassador grand

2013 hindustan ambassador grand 2000dsz in showroom.



rear view, hm ambassador grand, 2013 model



interior, hm ambassador grand 2013 model

ambassador grand launched in 2003 , per manufacturer, new version had 137 changes compared predecessor. notable changes included body coloured wrap around bumpers, camel coloured interiors, fabric seats, remote shift gear lever, moulded roof , door trims, salisbury axles, bigger rear wheel drums, improved suspension anti roll bar , metlon bushes, central door lock, factory fitted music system , optional sun roof. acoustic insulation of ambassador grand developed treves of france. grand version of ambassador available in 2.0l , 1.8l engines @ first , later in 2007 1.5l model added line.

ambassador avigo

the avigo model launched in 2004 radical revision of venerated ambassador, part of brand revitalisation kicked off in middle of 2003. change of name, break ambassador marque, indicated different marketing strategy. avigo launched in summer of 2004. revitalized lineup consisted of ambassador classic of mid-2003, ambassador grand of late-2003, , aforementioned avigo, exterior designed manvindra singh. however, overpowering influence on front bonnet has been of original landmaster series (also based on morris oxford). main panels @ rear remained same tail lamp , name plate bezels redesigned. in interior avigo, however, has more classic-touch internals. entire dashboard console redesigned classic retro theme reminiscent of models central mounted meter new clusters (like mark iv models). seats specially built model dual tonne beige coloured scheme , wood-grain interiors. factory fitted 6cd kenwood audio system , new air-conditioning system installed. car priced higher existing models.

ambassador encore

this new model launched in 2013, match bs iv standards of metropolitan cities 1.5-liter diesel. version developed aid of austria s magna steyr. new car looks ambassador grand , has same overall dimensions of bs iii ambassadors, although power had climbed 48 ps (35 kw). steering wheel two-spoke affair first seen in nova. in 2013, left-hand drive versions still built in small numbers export, tertiary markets nigeria.

other variants
extended version

many local customisers offer stretched versions, though not popular. 1 such manufacturer parikh, effort called ambylimo.

customised version

car designer dilip chhabria created concept inspired ambassador version, ambierod. car not manufactured hindustan motors nor based on ambassador. several styling cues, however, have been borrowed ambassador.