Some say that the HM Ambassador has been getting too long in the tooth, but believe us when we say it has still got one the most comfortable back seats in the business. The introduction of BS-IV emission norms in seventeen metros since April 2010, meant that HM could no longer sell the diesel versions of the Ambassador in those cities. You could still buy an Ambassador in these cities, but only in it’s Petrol, CNG or LPG guises. The huge shift in customer interest to diesel cars put a noticeable dent in HM’s business and they have been developing this engine for a long time. The 1.5 litre BS-IV compliant diesel Ambassador, HM hopes will woo some customers back in the metros.
The new Ambassador will get a new suffix attached to it’s name too, when it is launched next month. The new 1.5 litre engine is better in all respects than the BS-III engine, says the company. It has more power (the BS-III engine develops 35.5 BHP), more torque (the BS-III engine has 73 Nm), is more efficient than before and most importantly less polluting than before.
Officials from the company did not confirm if the new Ambassador would get updated features and said further details about the new engine would be revealed closer to the launch of the car. Reading a press release of the company on the new car though, we get hints that the car might get tweaked mechanicals in the power steering, suspension and air-conditioning, among others.
The new engine could also see duty on other cars from HM, like the Winner LCV and the upcoming sub-four metre variant of the Ambassador.
