Renault is preparing an affordable and electrified urban SUV with the promise of high appeal and a low price. Based on the Bridger concept unveiled back in March, the boxy yet compact crossover is set to enter production later next…
Maruti Suzuki Jimny Front Door Handle Image – Jimny Photos in India Autocar India Maruti Suzuki Cars by Body Type Maruti Suzuki Cars by Fuel Type Maruti Suzuki Cars by Transmission
The Suzuki Jimny is proof that a car does not have to be big to be brave. It is a small, boxy, ladder-frame four-by-four with a low-range transfer case and solid axles, the same basic hardware found in far larger and far pricier off-roaders. It weighs little, fits down narrow tracks and climbs things that make bigger trucks hesitate. Its square shape and round headlights have drawn comparisons to a miniature Mercedes G-Class, a resemblance owners mention with more pride than embarrassment.
The Jimny dates back to 1970, when Suzuki took over a small kei-class off-road maker and put its first Jimny into production. Over the following decades the nameplate gained a following among farmers, hunters, forestry workers and weekend adventurers, and sold under names like Samurai and Sierra in some markets. The fourth generation, launched in 2018, created a phenomenon with its retro styling, generating waiting lists in Japan, Europe and Australia. In Europe, emissions regulations forced Suzuki to stop selling the passenger version, leaving a commercial two-seater.
The Jimny now comes in a five-door version built in India, which makes it far more practical for families and has gone on sale in India, Japan and other markets. The three-door remains the purist's choice. Rivals are few: the Mahindra Thar in India, a handful of Chinese entrants, and in spirit the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, which cost far more. The current Jimny has never been sold new in the United States, which only increases its mystique among American enthusiasts who follow it online.
The Jimny's fan base supports a flourishing aftermarket and a steady supply of limited editions, such as the retro-styled Heritage models sold in Australia with stripes and red mudflaps. Look here for reviews, comparison tests, limited editions, India-built five-door news, export updates, rival launches that promise a cheaper or bigger Jimny, and the occasional rumor of an electric or hybrid successor that would have to keep the little truck's simplicity intact.
The tiny, boxy, ladder-framed off-roader with a cult following and waiting lists, the mountain goat of the car world, now in five-door form too.
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