Maruti Suzuki has been long rumoured to have been planning the launch of the Suzuki Jimny in the Indian market and Jimny enthusiasts were ecstatic to see the Japanese-spec Suzuki Jimny at the 15th edition of the Auto Expo 2020, showcased in its fourth-generation avatar. It was being hypothesized that the Indian arm of the Japanese brand showcased the model at their pavilion to gauge and assess the response of the Indian consumers and is planning to launch the vehicle in the Indian market.
Now a new report suggests that Maruti Suzuki has imported multiple knocked-down kits of the Suzuki Jimny into India which are currently awaiting customs clearance at the docks. The brand is likely to produce around 5,000 units of the urban utilitarian off-road capable SUV at it plant in India, most of which will be exported abroad.
The Suzuki Jimny is a three-door SUV but Maruti Suzuki has been rumoured to produce a 5-door version of the SUV for the Indian market manufactured at the brand’s Hansalpur production facility in Gujarat which is likely to be sold from the brand’s premium NEXA retail network in limited numbers.
The three-door Japanese-spec Suzuki Jimny measure 3550mm in length, 1645mm in width, 1730mm in height with a wheelbase of 2250mm and is powered by a 1.5-litre K15B series 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine that generates 102 PS of power and 130 Nm of torque coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox and an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.
The Jimny has short overhangs and for off-road performance comes with 37-degree approach angle, 28-degree ramp break-over angle, 49-degree departure angle and a 210mm minimum ground clearance. The drivetrain also includes ALLGRIP PRO, a part-time 4 wheel drive system and a low ratio system that can be engaged using a lever between the driver and co-driver when the car needs to traverse over difficult terrain.
Its predecessor in our country, the second-generation Jimny which was marketed as the Maruti Gypsy SJ-410 has been discontinued for civilian use and the brand has been supplying the off-road friendly SUV to the Indian Armed Forces in limited numbers. The vehicle is still a popular three-door SUV in the pre-owned market cherished by many petrolhead and off-roaders.
