Japanese automobile manufacturer Suzuki has been spotted testing the 3-door version of its Jimny SUV in Mumbai city, India. The supposedly made-in-India Jimny SUV is a left-hand drive vehicle aimed for international markets with a 5-door version in the works. According to sources, Maruti Suzuki will introduce the 5-door version of the Jimny in India, which will be more practical. Along with an increased length in comparison to its 3-door counterpart, the 5-door Jimny will compete as a lifestyle SUV.
Sources suggest that Maruti Suzuki will launch the 5-door version of the Jimny SUV for the Indian market in 2022. Once launched, the automaker will sell the car via its NEXA chain of dealerships and compete with other lifestyle SUVs. However, despite its small price, the Jimny will cost quite a bit more in comparison to other similarly sized SUVs.
First showcased at Indian Auto Expo 2020, the Jimny acts as the spiritual successor to the infamous Maruti Suzuki Gypsy. The car retains a boxy design with a blacked-out plastic grille piece at the front, round headlamps, and bumper-mounted fog lamps. The vehicle features massive and enlarged wheel arches which showcase its off-roading capabilities and sports a tailgate-mounted spare wheel.
The Japanese automaker has equipped the Jimny with a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol motor, producing 105 PS and 138 Nm. Suzuki also offers a choice of either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Additionally, the Jimny SUV features the ALLGRIP PRO, a part-time 4×4 AWD system with a low-ratio transfer case.
This makes the Jimny the only SUV of its class and size to offer all-wheel-drive and support off-roading capabilities. Overall, the 3-door version of the Jimny measures 3,645mm in length, 1,645mm in width, and 1,720mm in height. Suzuki also offers the Jimny with a 7.0-inch, SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
In India, Maruti Suzuki has announced its plans of launching the all-new, refreshed Baleno premium hatchback in 2022. The automaker has ensured to implement a host of exterior changes and interior upgrades to the Baleno. Despite retaining the same engine, the massively updated Baleno can easily compete with its reigning rival, the new Hyundai i20.
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