- The fourth-gen Suzuki Jimny will be revealed later this year.
- The tiny 4x4 off-roader looks more modern now with better technologies and more capable than before.
- The cabin is now similar to other Suzuki models.
Suzuki has been developing the new-generation of its beloved Jimny for quite some time now. Several of these tiny off-roaders were spotted undisguised at the carmaker’s factory in different paint schemes. Unlike the Vitara, the Jimny will retain its rugged and retro design along with its go-anywhere capability.
The fourth-gen Jimny has a square body now with a solid ladder-on-frame construction. The styling is very distinctive with circular headlamps, upright grille, flat roofline and flared wheel arches. All these only serve to further accentuate the test mule’s impersonation of the Gelandewagen. The retro styling with elements like the bumper mounted triad of tail lamps, the tailgate-mounted spare wheel also adds to the appeal of the off-roader.
There are no overhangs whatsoever, which gives this two-door compact-SUV a very compact footprint. The new Jimny is expected to measure 3.67m in length and 1.60m in width. The standard package includes an AWD layout with a low-range gearbox, but it can also be had with a rear-wheel-drive option.
The cabin is borrowed from other more modern Suzuki models like the Ignis and Baleno. So there is the new touchscreen infotainment system, climate control buttons underneath it and steering mounted controls. The instrument cluster has a screen situated right between the analogue tachometer and speedometer. However, the overall layout of the dashboard is very functional with large buttons, so that they can be operated with gloves on.
The new generation Jimny would carry forward the 1.2-litre four-cylinder VVT petrol motor. Suzuki’s newly developed 1.0-litre Boosterjet is also on the cards, but there is no information regarding the diesel powerplant for the Jimny as yet. Transmission option would be manual, but expect an automatic unit as well.
The all-new Jimny was expected to be revealed later this year. And it would go into production next year. It will be on sale in the Japanese and European markets initially. However, we hope that Maruti Suzuki will bring this capable off-roader to the Indian shores. The Jimny has much potential and there is a lot of demand for high-riding vehicles amongst Indian car buyers. The success of the Vitara Brezza has forced the carmaker to add more SUVs to its line-up. So the Jimny could be a viable choice if they decide to launch it in India.
