Modified Maruti Suzuki Jimny To Be Used As Forest Safari Vehicle In Rajasthan

If you’ve been on forest safaris in any of the national parks and sanctuaries across India, chances are you have ridden in an old Mahindra Jeep or a modified Bolero and Gypsy. But in Rajasthan, there’s a fresh ride ready to take you on these excursions and it’s none other than a modified version of the Maruti Suzuki Jimny. 

Yes, you read that right! Images of the modified vehicle, specifically designed for jungle safaris, have surfaced online. Harvijay Singh Bahia, a seasoned rally enthusiast, shared these photos on Facebook as he spent some time behind the wheel testing the car before it’s made available to visitors at national parks. And as you can see, the Jimny has undergone extensive modifications for its new role. 

For starters, the entire top has been removed to give passengers a better view of the surroundings. And what catches the eye is the extra row of seats behind the second row, perfect for photographers. Bahia mentioned in his post that the windshield can’t be folded down, which wasn’t the case with the older Gypsys. So he recommends photographers use the last row of seats for a better view. 

To support the last row of seats, the Jimny is fitted with wood and steel structures to ensure the chassis doesn’t flex under the additional load and weight the car would be carrying. And to ensure easier ingress and egress for the last row, steps have been provided. A point to note is that there’s additional wood bracing on the window sills, so we are pretty sure you can’t roll the windows up and down. 

Chunky grab handles have also been installed behind the first and second row for occupants to hold on to during bumpy rides. Speaking of which, Bahia said the car is very comfortable, something which we also agree with, having driven the stock Jimny. For our impressions on the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, check out our in-depth first drive review. 

Coming to other details, this Jimny is the entry-level version sporting steel wheels and round halogen headlights. It’s also finished in a unique Army Green colour, something you can’t get with the regular Jimny in India. Mechanically, it gets the 1.5-litre petrol engine with four-wheel drive. 

We are excited to see the Maruti Suzuki Jimny take on this new role and are eagerly waiting for it to enter its duty soon. And we are confident it will be a huge and comfortable riding upgrade from what you’ve been experiencing until now with the old Mahindra Jeeps and Gypsy. Let us know in the comments when you experience the new Jimny forest safari vehicle and the animals you spotted in your adventure.

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