[mxx]

everything comes with expiry dates. The expiry date of amby is long gone. Since HM cant do anything worthwhile they will keep producing these s**t

[Roy.S]

High time they scrapped this hunk of junk. We've always had Ambys in the family and yeah they're tough, comfortable and all the rest of that stuff, but now its just gotta go. Somehow, I never really liked that rear seat. Or the front seat. Or the engine. Or the..... Come to think of it, I despise it.
HM does not have the vision or nerve to do something really radical with it.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Even ford stopped making the Escort. Even an icon cannot last forever. There is no point to this car other than to be an icon. Wasn't it out of date in Britain before HM started making it here?

HM does not have the vision or nerve to do something really radical with it.

I doubt that would work, because it would mean producing a new car and sticking the name on it. It was never allowed to evolve in any way, except, perhaps, for some changes in manufacturing. Many of our longer-lived models have changed out of all recognition over their lives. I drove an original Civic, years ago; Honda fans of today wouldn't recognise it!

[YC.BALENO.CHD]

It already has optional Power Steering, Power Windows, Mp3 Player, Cheap Beige Interiors, Rear centre Arm rest.
Thats as much as typical entry level midsizer has (ikon,logan,indigo) and it already retails at close to 6 lakhs.

An updated 'goodies list' won't qualify as an updated car.

The fact remains that the car is post its sell-by date and a doze of Botox treatment,interior/equipment update won't do anything to make it belong to 90s let alone a modern car.

Its USPs are great space,awesome ride quality and those rear seats are one of the best in business. That is it.

Comparing the car with modern sedans or even the idea of 'updating' it is quite naive.

Oh yes, you can design a new exterior with dallops of Retro-styling thrown in. Ditto with the interiors. Oh and an all new suspension will do a world of good. Ah yes, a new engine with atleast 100 PS will be nice for the current engines are very crude.

Ok, so here you get the idea of the updated Amby but hello, this ain't an amby, its an all new car (which can be badged the amby if you like).

Also, there is no entry level luxury car that retails for 6-7 lakhs but yeah if an all new amby with everything that say a Cruze has is priced around 7 lakhs it will be excellent VFM and I'll really go ahead and buy one.


IMO, its better to leave the poor ol' amby alone. Remember what happened with the Avigo versions?

The amby has its own USPs and manages to impress taxi owners and dhoti-clad politicians alike. Also, since past few years there are a few blokes in GB who are importing this humble car.
So, let it serve the people who still wish to buy one and it might evetually die a slow death. (Which am adding with a heavy heart.)

An upgraded amby isn't simply possible and an all new amby won't simply be an amby. The charm of the amby is best left not fiddled with. Period.



Regards.

[cruiser@0523]

Originally Posted by YC.BALENO.CHD

It already has optional Power Steering, Power Windows, Mp3 Player, Cheap Beige Interiors, Rear centre Arm rest.
Thats as much as typical entry level midsizer has (ikon,logan,indigo) and it already retails at close to 6 lakhs.

Barring rear center arm rest, all these features can be found on any cheap car like the spark or the i10, no need to compare with sedans, so these features are standard, and no one in their right sense of mind would buy a car without power windows/steering in todays world.

Originally Posted by YC.BALENO.CHD

An updated 'goodies list' won't qualify as an updated car.

Well that was quite a statement to make, a new engine, better suspension, better quality interiors, more gizmos would NOT qualify as an updated car ? Then what would ?

Originally Posted by YC.BALENO.CHD

An upgraded amby isn't simply possible and an all new amby won't simply be an amby. The charm of the amby is best left not fiddled with. Period.

It wont be an amby if it has a better engine ? better brakes, handling and overall dynamics ? does it have to flip over when negotiating hairpin bends to be an amby ?

To make myself clear, take the example of the RE classic. A good mixture of old school bike and a few modern gizmos here and there. Something like this is possible with the Amby, if and only HM is even slightly interested in covering up their losses and making a good car.

[YC.BALENO.CHD]

Originally Posted by cruiser@0523

Barring rear center arm rest, all these features can be found on any cheap car like the spark or the i10, no need to compare with sedans, so these features are standard, and no one in their right sense of mind would buy a car without power windows/steering in todays world.

Altos and other cheap hatchbacks are still bought w/o power steering/ windows. And by the way, ever noticed Esteem Lx, Ikon Clxi, Indigo LS? There are loads of them on the roads. All without power windows. So, are all those owners of their mind?

Also, what does Power windows has to do with 'today's cars'?
And power steering is hardly needed for cars like Altos and Sparks.

And for your info, the majority of ambys you see on the roads are having non power assisted steering setups. So are those buyers fools to not opt for PS? Kindly look into market scenario before making naive statements.

]
Well that was quite a stupid statement to make, a new engine, better suspension, better quality interiors, more gizmos would NOT qualify as an updated car ? Then what would ?

No, if you have to upgrade every darn thing, it will be an 'all new car' not an update. Noticed the New wagonR? Its entirely different from last gen and is not an update but new from the scratch.

It wont be an amby if it has a better engine ? better brakes, handling and overall dynamics ? does it have to flip over when negotiating hairpin bends to be an amby ?

You do not mend what isn't broke. Ever heard of it? I doubt.

Tell me, do you think an amby buyer ever thinks of better handling?

Also how many turtled Ambys you've ever seen in your lifetime?
Again let me make myself clear, amby caters to a different segment. Tell me, will you choose an amby with sharp handling over a Fiesta S? Its not that kind of a car. No sir not at all. Amby is perfect for the people who buy it. Okay some tweaks will do good, but spending money on a powerful engine, competent suspension..and then what? Aim at ANHC and SX4s?

For that you need a car built from scratch and a mere 'update', no matter how potent, won't do.

To make myself clear, take the example of the RE classic. A good mixture of old school bike and a few modern gizmos here and there. Something like this is possible with the Amby, if and only HM is even slightly interested in covering up their losses and making a good car.

Still, will you choose a RE Classic over R15? Can the classic corner as hard as the jap? Just like RE CLASSIC is different from the R15, Amby is different from the current midsizers. And BTW, if you aren't informed kindly check how much the amby has evolved from Land Master days. You'll be surprised.
And please cars and bikes are different things.

Oh and yeah, entry level luxury midsizer for 7 lakhs?! Man, for chrisakes, what is next an amby-evo for 10 lakhs with 370Z kind of performance? And then you'll say, anything is possible with updates. LOL.

[sandeepmohan]

I am a huge fan of this car but the new ones don't have any quality to it.

I don't mind the beige dash and its design, just give it a dose of quality plastic. After all you are asking a customer to shell out 5lac. Add more quality to the switch gear, the electrical wiring, door locks, seating, well everything actually.

All I would ask HM to do is bring the quality levels to standards of a modern automobile. This means the car should not require any real attention till it hits around 50000km and even after this it should go on without anything creaking or parts falling off or rusting.

Fresh power will help and I don't understand why they can't talk with Mitsubishi or Isuzu to supply a Common Rail Diesel engine & a modern small capacity gasoline engine. The Ambassador will do just fine with a high torque motor.

They should offer disc brakes on all 4 wheels as this car really needs it for the loads it can carry.

The design can stay.

[musicmanaman]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

All I would ask HM to do is bring the quality levels to standards of a modern automobile. This means the car should not require any real attention till it hits around 50000km and even after this it should go on without anything creaking or parts falling off or rusting.

The 1800 Isuzu Petrol won't actaully ask for any major work till 50k on the Odo, the only issue you may have is the radiator leaking a couple of times, apart from that it's just normal consumables.

I have owned this car, and still have it, the only inherent problem with this car is overheating when not moving (example traffic signals), apart from that it's one strong bull.

Let me put it this way, it's one strong bull with a hot head.

[ramzsys]

Hey there is no logic in comparing an ambassador to current generation cars. Maybe the fact that it still sells is the bone of contention. It was the king of indian roads once upon a time, and whatever happens, let us wait and see. But dont deride the car comparing. That it gives impeccable ride quality to current generation cars itself is a single virtue to own one.

[smashnerd]

Amby's will be produced even after the world has reduced to rubble after WW III.

They really should try modernising it from all angels. I'm sure if they make a quality product, people will come to see it just because it's an Amby. It's sad to see they learned nothing from the tie-up with Mitsubishi.

[rjvora_2000]

Amby has the best rare seating. It has lot of golden memories. I think they should redesign the front panel and few changes in the desine externally as well and this car will be very good car for next 50 year's as well.

[getsurya]

I am sure like many others even I have my memories back to a black Amby from my family. I would love to buy one if it is modernised to a larger extent.

However, I was given to understand that due to our "union baazi" brothers of West Bengal, HM did not want to invest any further in Kolkata for revamping the Amby. In fact, DC also offered his 'expertise' in redesigning the Amby.

I do not know how much of the above is true, so If I made a wrong statement :::advance apologies!

[Alter_Ego]

Originally Posted by getsurya

In fact, DC also offered his 'expertise' in redesigning the Amby.

I do not know how much of the above is true, so If I made a wrong statement :::advance apologies!

No all DC did was to take the Amby and convert it into a hotrod,Ambieord, and tag it at a whopping 2 crore.Not to mention it had a lot of goodies on the lines of a RR.

[CARDEEP]

I too have fond memories of Amby's back seat & the comfortable ride almost 2 decades back & also in my relative's official ride (being a Brigadier in Army).

Somehow I do not like the car in present days mainly due to design & interiors. We understand that it mainly surviving because of Govt. orders. But, I feel that it should be given a redesign on the lines of Camaro, 300C, etc., & can also take inspiration from Flying Spur not DC, which I do not find gel well with the character of the car.

Plus, the new design should comply with the latest safety norms in India.

[shortbread]

Unfortunately the Amby's nostalgia far outweighs the actual product. Its pretty obvious from the way HM has handled this stalwart that their intention is to update the car just in time to scrape through any legislation change and sell it till the numbers dwindle to maybe 2 or 3 a month.

I dont know what type of management sense operates in HM but doesnt look like they have any idea as to how to carry this forward, neither do they have the money or R&D strength.