The spied Jimny 5-door version’s overall silhouette looks nearly the same as the regular model, tests to start in India soon
The upcoming Suzuki Jimny 5-door version has been spied testing for the first time in Europe. The India-bound off-roader’s entire silhouette can be made out from the pictures of this test mule.
Maruti Suzuki has confirmed the launch of the Jimny and its 5-door long wheelbase version in India last month itself. Coming to the spotted test mule, from what can be seen, the overall design remains the same as the regular 3-door Jimny.
The alloy wheels, the interiors, the boxy design, the round headlamps, and the bonnet seem like a straight lift from the existing compact off-roader. But, as per reports, the wheelbase is longer by 300 mm with better space and legroom on the inside.
The current Jimny is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine. But, soon, it might be replaced by the same engines as the recently launched Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder – the 1.5-litre K15B engine with mild hybrid and the 1.5-litre TNGA engine with strong hybrid tech.
In the international markets, both the versions might get a 1.5-litre turbo charged engine for added performance. There’s also a more rugged variant under development for the international markets.
In India, the pre-pilot tests of the Jimny short wheelbase will start by next month while the pilot trial for the 5-door model will start in January 2023. In the first phase, the SUV will have about 70 percent localisation which the company is expecting to increase.
It must be noted that Maruti Suzuki has already started manufacturing the 3-door model for the export markets and so focus will be more on refining the 5-door model further for our conditions. The company is aiming 75,000 unit production for the first few years.
The biggest update, however, is the introduction of diesel engines. While the board members haven’t given their approval yet, the company is working on a diesel re-entry with the Jimny. As the 5-door model would be mostly a people mover, diesel mills would suit it better.
While launch will happen by mid-2023, the SUV might effectively hit the roads only in the first quarter of 2024. While it will get 3 and 5 door options, the latter will also get the option of choosing between 5 and 7 seaters, something like the Tata Harrier and Safari.
Built on a ladder frame frame, it gets a low range transfer box and a 3-link rigid axle suspension with Suzuki’s All Grip Pro 4-wheel-drive system.