Next-Gen Suzuki Jimny to be Made in India?

[Jijo_Malayil]

Suzuki's iconic Jimny, a compact SUV that has been in production since 1970 and has seen three generations, is reported to make it to India soon enough.The niche, pocket-sized off-road vehicle has a huge fan following throughout the globe. Don't be that hopeful though! This plan doesn't involve bringing the current-generation Jimny to our shores. So, what is the fuzz all about?

Suzuki, according to certain reports, is likely to make India the production hub for the next generation Suzuki Jimny. It could be launched in markets like Brazil, Indonesia and Europe by 2019. To be based on the Maruti Baleno's lightweight platform, the new Jimny is expected to shed a lot of weight. But Suzuki in all probability will retain the 4X4 drivetrain with a low ratio gearbox (which has been its trademark of sorts). Expect the new Jimny to be powered by the 112 PS 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine, which is expected to make its debut in India with the Baleno RS this festive season.

Given Maruti Suzuki's Indian history of only introducing sensible cars in India, expect an extended 5-door version of the Jimny in India if ever the manufacturer fancies launching it in India. Reports suggest that Suzuki will rename Jimny to Gypsy in the Indian market to garner more attention. The new Jimny/Gypsy will rival the likes of Mahindra's TUV300 (which is also reported to get a four-wheel drive version soon). Suzuki's wholly-owned Gujarat car plant is likely to be the production hub for the next gen Jimny. Will the Jimny/Gypsy make an impact in India?

[konarktyagi]

JijoMalayil Considering all the diesel bans now, this makes a lot of sense for India.

[Roshun]

The Suzuki Jimny has been an all-time favourite and I've been waiting for it to launch in India, ever since Maruti showcased it at Auto Expo 2004! It has hardly changed in design since then, and even if Suzuki brings it in now, it will find a lot of takers. It addresses all the shortcomings of the Maruti Gypsy and will make an even more potent, yet comfortable off-roader. Here's why I think it is the ideal replacement for the Gypsy and is Maruti's chance to get even with the Mahindra Thar.
1. It comes with all the creature comforts you need - power steering, AC and power windows.
2. Has a short wheelbase and high ground clearance.
3. Comes with a peppy petrol engine and low-range 4x4 transfercase - all those fearing the diesel ban will be looking for a peppy petrol performer.
4. Rally enthusiasts will lap it up as a good alternative to the Gypsy.
5. Compact size will help it get tax incentives - if it's under 4 metres in length, and if Maruti decides to plonk in either the 1.2-litre K-Series petrol or the 1-litre Boosterjet. (Ok, wishful thinking here).

[NikilSJ]

The Suzuki Jimny has been an all-time favourite and I've been waiting for it to launch in India, ever since Maruti showcased it at Auto Expo 2004! It has hardly changed in design since then, and even if Suzuki brings it in now, it will find a lot of takers. It addresses all the shortcomings of the Maruti Gypsy and will make an even more potent, yet comfortable off-roader. Here's why I think it is the ideal replacement for the Gypsy and is Maruti's chance to get even with the Mahindra Thar.
1. It comes with all the creature comforts you need - power steering, AC and power windows.
2. Has a short wheelbase and high ground clearance.
3. Comes with a peppy petrol engine and low-range 4x4 transfercase - all those fearing the diesel ban will be looking for a peppy petrol performer.
4. Rally enthusiasts will lap it up as a good alternative to the Gypsy.
5. Compact size will help it get tax incentives - if it's under 4 metres in length, and if Maruti decides to plonk in either the 1.2-litre K-Series petrol or the 1-litre Boosterjet. (Ok, wishful thinking here).

Woah! A lot of hardcore off-roaders might be having wet dreams right now. If the next-gen Jimny is indeed going to be produced in India, it will be a worthy alternative to the Mahindra Thar. Frankly, I don't want to see a 5-door version of this. The 3-door version has a shorter wheelbase which should be ideal for off-roading. The petrol only option is certainly going to give many true blue off-roaders out there a relief.

Like Roshun said, rally enthusiasts will be the ones who'll be most pleased if it ever gets launched here. Hopefully, Suzuki should go ahead and offer the car with the 1-litre Boosterjet engine instead of the 1.2-litre K-Series engine. This will make the Jimny the pep it needs.

Here's a little tidbit about the current generation Suzuki Jimny:
The current-generation is the actually the third generation of the renowned SUV. This generation came into production in 1998 and has been on sale ever since.
The Jimny has a part-time 4WD system that sends power to the rear wheels while in 2WD mode. When you turn the dashboard-mounted knob to 4WD, the front wheels are also engaged in high gear. Switching it to 4WD-L engages the four wheels in a lower gear ratio - ideal for mud plugging and clambering up rocks and ruts. The Jimny has also got vacuum-locking hubs which allow it to be shifted from 2WD to 4WD on the go up to speeds of 100kmph. To shift to 4WD-L the car has to come to a complete halt. Pretty impressive for a little Suzuki. The Jimny is like the mountain goat among rhinos - Roshun's Red Fox included.

[Akshay_Katiyar]

Yes ! if it at all the Jimny gets launched in India....surely going to be a runaway sucess...High seating position..and decent ground clearance in order to avoid scraping the car's underbelly...but my question is...why now...why so late...Compact SUVs are the way to go...same with Toyota and others...what are they waiting for....

[NikilSJ]

Akshay_Katiyar that's a very valid question you raised there. My hunch is that MSIL may have thought that the market wasn't evolved or mature enough for a compact SUV like the Jimny back in the 2000s. The way our market has progressed in the last couple of years is nothing short of amazing. From compact sedans to crossovers based on hatchbacks, it looks like every manufacturer is finally giving customers what they wish for. However, what I would love to see now is more compact and capable off-roaders like the Jimny and pick-up trucks like the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross to do well in the country.

[Cherry_Philips]

Here are the prices of the Jimny in the UK:
http://www.suzuki.co.uk/cars/cars/new/jimny/jimny/price

2016 prices. 12,499 pounds to 14,949 pounds

[Roshun]

Here are the prices of the Jimny in the UK:
http://www.suzuki.co.uk/cars/cars/new/jimny/jimny/price

2016 prices. 12,499 pounds to 14,949 pounds

At current exchange rates, that would directly translate to about Rs. 10.9 lakh to Rs. 13.1 lakh. However, given that it would be made in India and will get excise duty benefits for small cars, expect it to be in the range of Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 11 lakh - with four-wheel drive. Maruti is likely to do this sort of differential pricing to avoid affecting sales of the Vitara Brezza and the Maruti S-Cross, while keeping it competitive with the Mahindra Thar as well. Let's see. It's just speculation right now and I really hope they bring it in. Throw in an SHVS system with the petrol motor and it can claim even more price benefits.

[Jijo_Malayil]

Roshun Suzuki Jimny at around Rs 8.0 lakhs would be a sweet deal! I would definitely save up for that But, given Maruti Suzuki history in India, its surely going to be a extended 5-seat version with all the unwanted gadegtery, adding to the price tag!

[Jijo_Malayil]

Look what I have found. A 1999 Suzuki Jimny review by Richard Hammond. The Jimny hasn't changed much over the years. I really hope it makes it to India.

[Akshay_Katiyar]

NikilSJ Yes Sir...Could agree more...Maruti & Hyundai were definitely late to the party (Ford minted a lot of money with Ecosport...likewise Renault with Duster)...but boy...aren't they now on track with Brezza & Creta...Maruti should bring Jimny right now...should have brought it along with brezza as both would have targeted customers of diif. segments..Toyota should bring in Rush...instead of complaining about the market scenario & NGT orders...that is not in their hands...Compact SUVs are the way to go...they are rage now...This decision of MSIL to bring JIMNY in India is most welcome..

[NikilSJ]

Here’s some more details on the upcoming Jimny that is likely to be produced and sold in India. Suzuki UK has said that the new Jimny’s design will be an evolution of the current design so that it will be instantly recognisable. The next-generation Jimmy will have two versions - a 2-door model (standard wheelbase) and a 4-door model (extended wheelbase). Our country might get the latter only and will most probably be positioned as a rival to the Mahindra TUV300. Yes, that will mean it will clash with the Vitara Brezza. Although, if you think about it, Maruti Suzuki are experts at providing customers various options within a segment. Various reports suggest that the new Jimmy, like its predecessor, will be based on a ladder-on-frame chassis to make it a capable off-roader. However, a report in July said that the new Jimny will be based on the lightweight Baleno platform. If that happens, it will lose a bit of its off-road credentials which will be disappointing. The Jimny for Japan will probably come with the 0.66-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that also powers the brilliant Alto Turbo RS. Other markets like Europe and India will receive the K12B 1.2-litre NA petrol engine. The 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine from the Baleno RS is also a possibility. The Jimny is also expected to be offered with a performance-oriented guise which will probably come with the 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine from the Euro-spec Vitara. Four-wheel drive is likely to be standard across all variants. As far as production is concerned, it is said that the Jimny will now be produced in Suzuki’s wholly owned plant in Gujarat for domestic as well as export sales. That should mean that Maruti Suzuki can price the Jimny close to the TUV300 and hence be competitive.