HINDUSTAN Motors (G.K. Birla Group) has launched its new variant, the Ambassador AVIGO with additional features. Ambassador AVIGO offered with both 1.8-litre petrol and 2-litre diesel engines sourced from Japan’s Isuzu Motors.

The bumpers have become fibrereinforced plastic (FRP) in order to give them a wraparound look. The lights below the bumper have been done away with and a wire mesh gives the impression of an air dam. There is a chrome strip inset into the bumper, running from end to end. The front grille has now been distinctly divided in two parts by a body-coloured strip, which segregates the upper and lower regions.

It has an elegant front grille and the sleek body hungging self coloured bumpers and bright clear headlamps with prismatic reflectors and impressive tail lamps. The interiors have been improved with seats that get more bolstering, but the quality of rubber beadings remains very nasty: they look like they are made out of putty clay. It’s the same with the dashboard and the front centre console, which looks and feels crude. What is an extremely significant improvement, however, is that the handbrake has now been relocated between the front buckets, which make it much more accessible. The other concession to modernity is a digital clock on the fascia, and the gearlever, which at last is placed properly. The indulgence is further enhanced as the state-of-the-art kenwood stereo belts out your Favorite tracks.

At the rear, the licence plate light unit has been enlarged to improve aesthetics. The tail-light cluster has also been slightly modified, in keeping with the clear lens effect but basically utilizes the same setup of an indicator lamp above the reverse and the main tail-lamp. The jack stows away neatly in a corner and the jack handle can be attached to the rear bulkhead.

Mechanically, both the Grand and Avigo are the same. The diesel version uses the 2.0-litre Isuzu diesel powerplant, which is now completely made in-house by HM, giving 51bhp with 1O.8kgm of torque, while the petrol uses the 1.8-litre powerplant with 74bhp and 13.3kgm of torque. The only change between the petrol and diesel models otherwise is that the petrol uses the Sanden SD507 compressor for air-conditioning, while the diesel uses the larger SD508 compressor. Air-conditioning is something that the Ambassador excels at and it can teach quite a few things in this department to many of the modern cars. The system, however, remains quite basic, with no provision for heating. While acceleration feels good initially, it soon tapers off, and then the vehicle starts feeling sluggish from 60kph onwards, possibly due to the tall gearing. The brakes are not very reassuring despite sporting front discs. The ride is, as always, pretty decent and rear seat comfort a clear selling point.

All Engine variants meeting Bharat Stage II (Euro II) emission norms. It’s Front cover new gasket with better surface finish & to eliminate oil leakage. It has Side cover new gasket and new aluminium side cover to reduce noise and better sealing also oil sump and flatness gasket improved for reducing engine leakage It has Improved sealing in chain tensioner locating hole to better engine sealing, rocker cover improved form and material for better engine sealing, modified engine plug to avoid any engine damage, improved banjo sealing for form and surface finish, higher capacity water pump for efficient engine cooling, new diaphragm dutch for reduced clutch effort and smoother engagement, improved material of cylinder gasket to improve engine performance, new air cleaner mounting bracket for trouble free life and durability.

There are lots of modification been made in steering also like introduced New style PU Steering wheel. Upper column bearing changed to sealed type bearing for better movement of steering. The rod end design modified to ensure standard articulation torque, improved rack and bush surface finish to reduce steering effort, Controlled pinion rolling torque to reduce vibration and eliminate rattling, Lubricating grease ripple on steering assembly with PVC rubber rack bellows to enhance life, Longer steering rack bush in steering for smoother manoeuvrability, Introduction of TRW manual steering on DSZ & ISZ variants, Lower column cup bearing replaced with rubber bonded metallic bush to enhance the life.

Newly Ambassador introduced high capacity front axle bearing for durability and improved performance, Metlon bushes in suspension links for increased suspension life, Groove added on outer dia of distance tube for grease retention for enhanced suspension life, Metallastic rubber bushes with improved rubber compound to avoid brush disintegration, Introduction of additional groove on link bushes for better lubrication and performance. New rear shock absorber with bottom Eye Let to improve ground clearances and better performance on rugged surfaces.

It introduced 5 speeds all synchromesh ISUZU gear box for smoother, effortless and customer friendly gear shift. Optimized spring tension of sliding hub. Newly ambassador has Modified gear box extension in 1500 DSL in for durability and enhanced performance, high tensile synchronizer, gear cone finished and entry radius, Nylon in pivot housing with controlled tolerance of component to reduce teaselling sound and gear level vibration, Introduction of Remote shift mechanism with central console for lesser vibration and smooth gear shift.

Newly ambassador has ergonomically designed PU seats for enhanced comfort and durability, Central arm-rest on rear seat for better comfort. moulded roof liner with finishers for better aesthetics & more effective A/C cooling, Door pad sealing improved by adding bigger size water deflector, Improved material for door pads for durability, Introduction of oil tempered Hard board for door pad to eliminate water absorption, Moulded carpets with compressed felt and heat feasible insulation, Introduction of ELR front seat belt & lap type rear seats belt, sealer quarter glass in A/C models for improved cooling, road mounted rear view mirror for better rear view visibility to meet requirement.

Filed under: Ambassador Cars in India