Maruti Suzuki showcases 4th-Generation Jimny at Auto Expo 2020 -Jimny for India?
The gearheads of the Indian market are thrilled and they should be! Maruti Suzuki has finally showcased the 2019 Urban Car of the Year model at Auto Expo 2020. It’s the Suzuki Jimny.
The global debut of this model occurred back in 2018 with Maruti Suzuki mentioning that the Indian debut was not a part of the plan. It was truly disheartening for the fan base, however, it’s finally here and will enter production at the Gujarat plant later this year.
The ladder-frame chassis is the base for the New Jimny and has all elements that any consumer expects in a world-class SUV. The model is equipped with a 4WD setup that can be switched between 2H/4WDHigh/4WDLow and a 3-link suspension axle which makes the model perfectly capable of taking charge on any given road or path. The only engine option of the model is a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Suzuki hasn’t introduced the diesel or hybrid options as of now. The gear system has two options: 4 speed automatic and 5-speed manual. The model dimensions are 3550mm x 1645mm x 1730mm x 2250mm (L*W*H*WB).
The Suzuki Jimny is equipped with 2 SRS airbags, ISOFIX seat mounts, ABS with EBD, and a vehicle-specific stability program.
Additionally, the company recently introduced a new safety program called “Suzuki Safety Support” to this model. This program provides the driver with the usual audio & video alerts/warnings before a crash/collision. Now, in case there isn’t any response from the driver or the response isn’t as expected, the program initiates an automatic braking force to avoid/reduce the collision. On top of that, this program assists with lane-departure warnings, high beam assist, weaving alert function, etc. However, these features will not be included in the Jimny that is coming to India, at least this is what is being suspected. It will only be confirmed once the model is officially launched for purchase.
But, coming back to the Indian market, the Jimny isn’t exactly new to the market. The iconic Gypsy, which can be considered a second-generation Jimny, was extremely successful and an adored model. Now, Maruti Suzuki is using the Auto Expo platform to uplift the consumer interest in the model. If the response is overwhelming, the brand will definitely bring the model to India.
However, even if the response is great, the Jimny might not sell as many units as expected. This is because the model lacks rear-doors which can be a deal-breaker. There is a chance that if the model is a success at the event, then the company might launch a longer version of the model specifically for Indian roads.
The price of the model will be most probably kept at around ₹10 lakh to ₹12.5 lakh given that the european model tops at around £18k.
