Media drives for the much anticipated Maruti Suzuki Jimny have just been over. Now, customers are eagerly awaiting the price announcement which is expected to happen on June 7, 2023. Now, according to a media report, the carmaker has no plans to launch a two-wheel drive variant.
Maruti had showcased the Jimny 5-door back at the 2023 Auto Expo. Reports also indicate that the carmaker has over 25,000 bookings for the SUV. In terms of competition, the Maruti Jimny will head up against the likes of the Mahindra Thar and the Force Gurkha in the lifestyle segment.
The first Jimny was launched back in the 1970 in Japan. Since then, the nameplate has been closely associated with go anywhere capability. In India, Maruti launched the Gypsy in the 1980s, and always came with a 4×4 system across the variants. The Gypsy was on sale till 2019 and has been a very popular vehicle across the country. Infact, the car is so utilitarian that the Army requested the carmaker to offer them the car even after production ended for civilians.
That said, the Gypsy was a little too long in the tooth hence a replacement was imminent. But, surveys done by India’s largest carmaker revealed that a 3-door Jimny would not cut it out in India. Hence, Maruti went on to work in developing a 5-door model specifically for the Indian market. Interestingly, the carmaker manufactures the 3-door Jimny for the overseas markets right here in India.
Jimny is known for its off-road capabilities and hence, by launching a 2WD, the brand value might be lost. By taking out the one thing that the vehicle is known for, would result in brand dilution as well.
The 5-door Jimny comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine. This motor develops 103 BHP @ 6,000 rpm and 134.2 Nm @ 4,000 rpm. Maruti is offering a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic to choose from. Also standard is Suzuki’s AllGrip Pro all-wheel drive system.
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