Hindustan Motors announced yesterday that they are ready to launch the BS4 diesel variant of the Hindustan Ambassador very soon.
The diesel Ambassador currently complies with BS3 emission norms only. As a result, Hindustan Motors has not been able to sell it in the major metropolitan cities (about 13 of them) since April 2010. With a BS4 compliant diesel engine, the Ambassador will be able to invade metros.
Hindustan Motors is currently launching the BS4 diesel in one engine specification only. It will be available with a 1.5-liter four cylinder diesel engine, while the 2.0-liter diesel engine stays in BS3 spec.
The current 1.5-liter BS3 variant produces about 35.5bhp of power and 7.44kgm of torque. Expect the power and torque outputs to remain the same or be improved slightly in the BS4 variant. The transmission is expected to be the same 5-speed gearbox.
Interestingly, HM says that the BS4 version will be launched with a new name. HM has also previewed the BS4 Ambassador for the Kolkata taxi association, who happen to have the Ambassador's largest fan base and buyers.
Mr. Uttam Bose, HM’s managing director & CEO -
We are all set to launch the BS IV-compliant diesel Ambassador very soon in keeping with our commitment earlier. Today’s display and test of the new vehicle for Kolkata taxi associations’ office-bearers and select HM dealers follows over three months of rigorous road testing of the forthcoming vehicle by our engineers. We displayed the car today and let a select group of the industry test drive it vigorously only when we had dealt with all possible shortcomings. The experts have found the forthcoming vehicle up to the mark in their feedback.
By having a BS4 compliant 1.5-liter diesel engine, HM can look forward to availing small car excise benefits for the sub 4 meter Ambassador variant, which we think will also launch in 2013.
