Oct 12, 2002 06:37 PM
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(Updated Oct 12, 2002 06:37 PM)
Think of an Indian car. Think of a truly Indian made car. The Ambassador. Ah! Apart from being an eloquent symbol of India’s progress since gaining independence, she also reflects the Indian mentality and the Indian way of thinking. Tell me, do we ever throw away anything just because it is...well, old? Nah, never. Indians generally tend to be dismissive of the Ambassador. Same here. The all new Ambassador Classic 1800 reflects a lot from the earlier models but also is a result of major modernization drive in both process modifications and product changes. Let us look into the features of the car.
Though Hindustan Motors have played around with the styling of the car, it still goes to impress the nostalgia buffs. The Ambassador captures the quintessential British look of the fifties. Chromed bumpers, chrome surrounds for the headlamps and taillamps, huge chromed grille and so on. But in Classic, the new door handles have replace the old chromed, handles of yore. Though you don’t get the gloss and shine of a Hyundai or a Toyota, the mantri, babuji and the taxiwallah would buy it. I tell you what, build quality is still a joke. You wish to compare the car with the new age ones, I suggest you don’t do such a thing for heaven’s sake.
For a new car in Classic, the interiors are really shockers. You step into the car and you’ll find out the horrific truth. The most ridiculous looking, terrible to touch plastic has been employed and I cannot begin to explain how cheap the entire thing looks. Though instrumentation is good and visibility is excellent, most of the other things remain the same. Like the viper control knob and toggle switches for lights. The gear lever protrudes in the most unappealing manner and the rubber gaiters are no more than eyesores. The seats aren’t comfortable either. Though the car boasts a good amount of space, the drive would be really harsh on anybody. The absence of central locking system and the overall ergonomics have been really shockers.
The new Ambassador monocoque is much better made at least, being well suited to handle these rough and horrible Indian roads. Aakhir, dil hai hindustani!!. The rack and pinion steering still prevails and the driver is given a harsh time at sharp turning where the need of power steering would have been felt immensely. Remember those old hindi movies where in the Heroes would furiously work on the steering wheel while belting out a few choice numbers? That is the case here.
A consolation of some sort comes in the form of an engine, the Isuzu which is a longitudinal, 2-valve one, with a displacement of 1800cc and produces a power of 74 bhp. Well, this might be sufficient and this might not sometimes, but the certainly is a plus point. Whether the vehicle can handle this much is a matter of question really. You don’t take enough care and well, she will surprise you with the streaks of rubber left by the rear wheels struggling to manage the 74 bhp power. The top-speed is impressive at a 130 kmph but would you drive so confidently is a matter to be pondered over.
Antique suspension techniques and reflections of the sixties is just not acceptable in this day and age. The stability of the vehicle is certainly a matter of concern and I am certainly not impressed by the suspension of the car. Just look at the cars these days!! What a driving experience you get. Nothing of that sort would you find out here. You think the car is a winner in terms of fuel efficiency. Think again. Certainly you are wrong. Maybe the car would initially turn out a superior mileage of 18 kmpl but gradually it’ll come down to 10 or 9 kmpl. Wait, I can go for something else instead of this car in that case. Certainly you should, with figures like this.
Well, the car may be spacey and retro but those ''ek hajar'' niggles really negate all the attributes. It certainly represents the Indian craftwork but at what cost? Definitely, I would leave it for the taxiwalah and the tourist agents to have a go at this vehicle. Mind you, even the mantriji these days have switched over to the Esteem. So better leave the vehicle alone and don’t even have a sniff at “The Ambassador Classic”. This is for your own good. So taxiwalah, please take over.
