Whether the new generation Jimny will come to India or not is subjected to debate, it has set the cash registers ringing for Suzuki worldwide
Suzuki began the sales of the new generation Jimny across different parts of the world earlier this year and it has staggering demand not only in Japan but Europe as well. Whether the Jimny, a spiritual successor of Gypsy, will enter India or not is subjected to a long-lasting debate but worldwide it has been the most sought after vehicle for Suzuki this year.
Credits where it is due as the Japanese manufacturer has managed to keep the off-roading characteristics alive of the previous model that was in the business far too long. Constructed on the traditional ladder frame chassis, it retains rigid axles, high profile tyres and low range transfer case while maintaining the nimble driving aspects with 28-degree breakover angle, 49-degree departure angle and 37-degree approach angle.
The vast European market gets a single engine choice as the new and lighter 1.5-litre K15B four-pot petrol unit stands in place of the outgoing 1.3-litre. The more powerful mill is good enough to generate a maximum power output of 100 hp and 130 Nm. It is connected to a five-speed manual transmission as standard and the four-speed automatic is offered as an option.
In Japan, the new Jimny uses a smaller 0.66-litre R06A turbocharged petrol engine. The all-important four-wheel-drive system can be toggled between the front and rear wheels via a lever sitting at the centre. The improved Allgrip Pro AWD system has three driving modes: 2H (2WD-high gear), 4H (4WD-high gear), and 4L (4WD-low gear).
It has rated top speed of 145 kmph with 178 g/km CO2 emission on WLTC (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure) cycle. Having received a 3-star safety rating in Euro NCAP recently, the fourth-gen global Jimny has a minimalistic yet modern interior and is praised for its oddity of being a capable off-roader while being a daily usable small SUV on road.
The exterior gets vertically-slated front grille, round-shaped headlamps, rather uninspiring front bumper, flared wheel arches, plastic cladding and so on as the overall squarer profile has been carried forward.
The other notable features are a touchscreen infotainment system, lane departure warning and weaving alert function, Dual Sensor Brake Support (DSBS), high beam assist and traffic sign recognition.