Ambassador Grand rolls out

Our Corporate Bureau
18 August 2003

The Grand sports spruced-up interiors and exteriors, while retaining the characteristic Ambassador silhouette that embodies the core benefits of comfort, space and sturdiness.

Targeted at bureaucrats and individual buyers, the Grand comes with contemporary technological features such as power steering, power brakes and remote-shift gear. The changes in the exterior include a new grille, large tail lamps, new transparent headlamps and a new rear number plate.

Front and rear self-coloured, large integrated bumpers and stylish wheel caps have been added to the car. A variant of the present day Ambassador, the Grand, will also be manufactured at HNL''s Uttarpara plant in West Bengal.

Says HML vice-president (marketing) Satish Burman: "We have continuously worked on the Ambassador to make it more appropriate for the Indian roads. Technologically, today, the car is as contemporary as any other vehicle on the roads. Special care has been taken to retain the concept of the car, as we believe that the Ambassador will lose its charm and personality if it were to look any different. The Ambassador plays an integral part in our product portfolio. Not only it is the largest-selling product of HML, it is also the third-largest selling car in the mid-size segment."

In addition to the power steering and remote-shift gear, the Ambassador Grand also boasts of a new acoustic package that has been developed in association with Treves of France. The exhaust has been revamped in association with Walker. The better insulated, new model, will continue featuring the 1.8-litre strong Isuzu MPFi petrol engine and 2-litre diesel engine, and Isuzu MSG5T five-speed gearbox.

With various changes in the interior and the exterior of the car, the Ambassador Grand offers the best value-for-money option in the mid-size car segment. In the interiors, changes include feature moulded roof-liner, a wider choice of fabrics for the upholstery, glass and magazine holder, reading light, digital clock and the hand brake in the centre among other changes.