At the 15th edition of the Auto Expo held in Delhi, India Maruti Suzuki showcased the Suzuki Jimny at their pavilion. Back then the Jimny was rumoured to be launched in India and now according to a media report, the rumours have turned out to be true. Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch the Jimny in India by the end of this year with a twist in the plot.
The same report suggests that the Jimny in India will come as a 5-door model instead of the original 3-door version that is sold internationally. If the reports are to be believed the 5-door version Jimny is likely to be India-specific suited for family buyers looking for a compact rugged SUV. The brand may also export the 5-door model to other countries depending on demand.
As of now, there are no technical specifications available in terms of the 5-door Jimny’s dimensions but it is speculated that the wheelbase and the rear overhang is likely to be extended as compared to the standard model. The Japanese-spec Jimny is 3550mm in length, 1645mm in width, 1730mm in height with a wheelbase of 2250mm.
How much off-road capabilities will this hamper is still in question, but a longer wheelbase is sure to reduce the break-over angle and the extended rear overhangs will have an effect on the departure angles making it less capable while traversing rough terrain. The 3-door Suzuki Jimny sold in Japan has a 37-degree approach angle, 28-degree ramp break-over angle, 49-degree departure angle and a 210mm of minimum ground clearance.
The 5-door Jimny will be built around the same ladder-frame chassis as the 3-door version and is likely to come with rigid axles on both ends to offer a 4 wheel drive system and will be equipped with a low range transfer case. It is likely to be powered by a Maruti Suzuki’s K15B Series 1.5-litre 4-cylinder, 16-valve petrol engine that produces 102 ps of power and 130 Nm of torque matched to a 5-speed manual gearbox and an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.
Reports suggest that the Jimny will be manufactured at the brand’s Hansalpur plant in Gujarat and production is likely to commence from June 2020, but the company will first produce the 3-door version of the SUV slated for exports followed by the 5-door Jimny, 6 months later.
Maruti is likely to sell the more ‘practical’ Jimny from its premium Nexa network and is expected to be priced around the INR 10 lakh mark and compete with other off-road capable SUVs in its price range such as the Force Gurkha and the Mahindra Thar.
