Suzuki Jimny is one of the Japanese brand’s most loved cars. The SUV is available in multiple markets in a 3-door standard avatar, and is set to receive a brand new iteration in its portfolio. Suzuki Australia recently confirmed that it is working on an even more affordable version of the Jimny SUV.
The Lite will essentially be a base version of the Jimny and will shed some features and equipment that comes standard on the Jimny Sierra sold globally. Major among these changes on the outside will be the omission of alloy wheels that will be replaced by black steel ones. The front facia will also look a little different than the standard offering as it will get halogen projector headlights instead of the LED units. The mirror cover will also be black plastic, and there will be no fog lamps provided.
The affordable Jimny will also miss out on features on the inside. The cabin will be devoid of a touchscreen infotainment system and will feature a 2-DIN audio system much like the VXi variants in Swift, Dzire.
The powertrain will not go through any change as it will get the same 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated, petrol engine that generates a good 104hp of power with 130Nm of torque. 4×4 will also be available with the Jimny Lite. However, there will be no automatic transmission option on the upcoming SUV which will only be offered with a 5-speed manual.
The Suzuki Jimny Lite is expected to launch in Australia in a month or two. Interestingly, it will be built in Japan and shipped to Australia, unlike the regular three-door SUV which is sent from India. This variant is targeted at customers looking for a more budget-friendly SUV and is also expected to reduce the waiting periods on the standard offering. Currently, Jimny’s starting price in Australia is Rs 15.86 lakh, so expect the Lite to be sold around 10-11 Lakh.
India launch? No news as of yet. Maruti Suzuki India Limited is currently working on a more spacious long-wheelbase 5-door version of the Jimny. The new model will not only be more practical for the Indian customers but will also get a turbocharged petrol engine under the hood.
