Austin Ambassador
| Austin Ambassador | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | British Leyland |
| Production | 1982-1984 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | fullsize car |
| Body style | 4-door hatchback |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.7 L O-Series Straight-4 2.0 L O-Series Straight-4 |
| Transmission | four speed manual three speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 105 inches (2670 mm) |
| Length | 179 inches (4550 mm) |
| Width | 69.5 inches (1760 mm) |
| Height | 55 inches (1400 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2784 pounds (1263 kg) unladen |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Leyland Princess |
| Successor | Austin Montego |
The Austin Ambassador was a large hatchback automobile introduced by British Leyland (BL) in 1982. The car was a heavily updated version of the Leyland Princess, an ageing model which had the appearence of a hatchback but did not feature one, as BL had felt that such a design was too downmarket at the time of its 1975 launch. Only the doors and inner structure were carried over, but the slightly wedge-shaped design betrayed the car's Princess origins, and it was not considered a truly new model. Sales were very low and the model was discontinued in 1984.
Unlike the Princess, there was no 2.2 litre version; the Ambassador was initially offered in 1.7 and 2.0 litre variants, in L, HL and HLS trims. Instead of the premium 2.2 litre models, there were the HLS and Vanden Plas trim levels, with a twin-carb version of the 2.0 litre engine.
In 1983, the 2.0 HL was upgraded to the more powerful twin-carb engine. The Ambassador was built in right hand drive only and thus was never exported, remaining a home market product.
The Ambassador was discontinued in 1984, with no official replacement, though its gap in the Austin-Rover range was effectively filled by the slightly smaller Montego.
| UK engine and trim options | L | HL | HLS | Vanden Plas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 | 
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| 2.0 |
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| 2.0 twin carb |
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Special versions
Like the Leyland Princess before it, Ambassadors were converted by specialist coachbuilders into hearse and limousine variants.
Parts bin components
The headlights were shared with the Morris Ital. Much of the internal trim was also similar or identical to that seen on other BL products.
External links
