The Auto Expo 2020 was concluded months ago but among all the vehicles which were showcased at the Expo, Suzuki Jimny managed to grab a lot of attention. The hype around the Jimny’s India arrival is so real that even after several months, we are still drooling over the idea of Suzuki bringing in the Jimny to India. And it seems like it is all going to shape into reality soon as the Jimny has been spotted testing in India, for the first time! A YouTuber managed to spot a white-coloured Maruti Jimny on the streets of Gurugram recently, near the company’s manufacturing plant.
More details
The model seen in the video is the Sierra. It’s a three-door model, like the one showcased during the Auto Expo this year.
The Jimny is a very important product for the maker and has had a sensational sales run in markets abroad. Suzuki terms the Jimny as an ‘authentic off-roader’ and is 3550 mm in length, 1645 mm in width and has a height of 1730 mm. It also has a wheelbase of 2250 mm. The test mule which was spotted featured a classic boxy design with tall body structure, circular headlamps, round fog lamps, new alloy wheel design, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, bumpers integrated taillights, side swung rear door and more. The current, fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny has been on sale worldwide since 2018. While there are two versions of the Jimny on sale in Japan – the standard model and the Sierra, the European market just has the latter.
5-door version
We can also expect a 5-door SUV with a longer wheelbase to arrive as well, to a larger audience, ideal for family buyers as well and thus making it viable for the Indian market. Even after a stretched wheelbase, the overall length of the India-spec Jimny is expected to stay under 4 metre which will make it in the same league as that of the Vitara Brezza. However, it will be interesting to see whether or not the stretched dimensions and longer wheelbase could impact the off-road capabilities of the SUV. There are also reports that Maruti may retain the Gypsy branding for the SUV in India. The SUV is based on one of India’s popular four-wheel-drive which is now only limited for military services.
Also read: This Suzuki Jimny Swims Like Phelps
It will compete against the recently launched all-new Mahindra Thar and the upcoming Force Gurkha in the segment. As for prices, they are likely to begin under ₹ 10 lakh (ex-showroom). The SUV will have a premium positioning which is likely to be sold via Maruti’s Nexa retail channel. In terms of powertrains, it will be offered with the same 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine as the international model. This engine is also offered in the Indian market with the Ciaz, Ertiga and the newly launched Vitara Brezza facelift. This engine generates about 105 hp of maximum power and 138 Nm of peak torque. However, in the international version, the engine generates slightly lower numbers than these. It is likely to be paired with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque converter as optional, similar to the Vitara Brezza.
Picture credits: Kar DIY YouTube channel