What is it?
This is the new Suzuki Jimny – a simple statement that undersells just how notable that is. It probably needs an exclamation mark for effect. Let’s try again. This is the new Suzuki Jimny! That’s better.
This new Jimny is so noteworthy because of just how rare the arrival of a new version of Suzuki’s small off-roader is. This is the fourth generation of Jimny. The first arrived in 1970, and lasted 11 years. Its replacement was on the market for 17 years, until the third – and most recent – generation arrived in 1998. That was the same year Ford launched the Focus, a car that has just reached its fourth generation.
Given how long the previous Jimny was on sale, it won’t be giving much of the verdict away to tell you that the new Jimny is fairly clearly better than its predecessor – which shouldn’t be surprising given how far car design and technology has come in 20 years.
As an example, the new Jimny has Apple CarPlay. The old one didn’t, what with it being released nine years before the iPhone was invented.
But while much about the new Jimny has changed, much will be familiar to the previous-generation model’s fervent fan base.
Join the debate
Thekrankis
Well done Suzuki!
I am so glad they have stuck to the spirit of the original SJ's.
TheDriver
Are you watching, Land Rover?
Are you watching, Land Rover? I didn’t think so. The Suzuki is a proper miniature off-roader and, I think, very successfully continues the company’s heritage. There will always be a market for tough, sensibly priced vehicles like this, but clearly the Suzukl’s diminutive size and load/towing ability limits UK sales for working vehicles. Still not holding my breath for JLR to continue this theme when the Defender replacement eventually appears.
tuga
Jimny
Sweet Jeebus this thing is adorable.
Great work Suzuki.
Landie
First year allocation sold out...
I called in at my local Suzuki dealer up here in Scotland to enquire about one and was told that they had taken £500 deposit on all of their first 2 years allocation despite nobody even knowing the price yet....
Seems like this new Jimny is going to be a sell out, with me really struggling to work out why Suzuki don't ad a LWB 5 door version to the mix, as I'm sure that would sell even better and not cost a fortune to develop & engineer either.
www.wondersofwordpress.com
RCT V
Landie wrote:
Interesting suggestion!
Malcypoos
LWB??
IMHO
FMS
Malcypoos wrote:
Agree, here comes the but...the classic mini, 3 door ALL of its long life...just like the Jimny...nowadays peoples wants/needs are different and varied, they will not stick with a brand unless they get what they want. Gone are the days when the suppliers held the whip hand. BMW seem about to can the 3dr MINI...is there no shame?...and many other brands have/plan to can 3dr versions of their family cars/hatchbacks. At least we can avoid the brands that we feel have gone against core values and buy into one that we feel perhaps has kept them, or at least not strayed too far away.
jason_recliner
Landie wrote:
Damn straight. A five door could be my next car.
Still, I LOVE this little thing!
Bob Cat Brian
1000 a year? Surely Suzuki
1000 a year? Surely Suzuki need to have higher ambitions, they could have a cult hit on their hands, the GWagen is supercool right now, but only accessible to the super wealthy, there’s a big desire for a real Defender with no sign of one coming and this costs £16k?!
vivavitara
Bob Cat Brian wrote:
Could not agree more! I run www.newjimny.co.uk and you can find there that Japan and Europe are going mad over the new Jimny, not just relying on a 1000 units to be sold?
In the 90's Suzuki GB held an event called the Rhino Rally where 3000 Suzuki SJ/Vitaras would participate in off road trials, that was before mobile phones or the internet to organise such an event it was solely organised by dealers interested in the product they sold and spreading the word.
SGB need to take a good look at what the rest of Europe are doing with not only the new Jimmy but the rest of the Allgrip range
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