Replacing its predecessor after a successful 20-year life cycle and with an international Good Design Award already perched on the mantelpiece, the all-new Suzuki Jimny has been making big strides since its 2018 launch in Mzansi.
With the unavailability due the Covid-19 restictions imposed on South Africans, the new Jimny is now again available at BB Suzuki Tzaneen at 71 Old Gravelotte Road.
The 2018 Suzuki Jimny comes with the choice of two specification levels, namely the GA and GLX, and is offered with two transmission options with a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic coupled to the engine. A host of made-for-adventure Jimny accessories can further beef up this little but legendary off roader.
Suzuki’s designers have worked hard to ensure that every styling cue and design element have both a cosmetic and a practical application. The Jimny’s striking angular design pays direct homage to the original LJ Series (1970 – 1981) and the SJ Series (1981 – 1998).
The new model has the same upturned front fenders, round headlamps and round orange indicators of the LJ Series and the side slits in the clamshell bonnet of the SJ Series. The upright grille is reminiscent of the previous generation’s Jimny (1998 – 2018) and the SJ Series.
This retro-modern design of the new Jimny has found favour the world over. Fans of the Jimny will also recognise the design of the GA specification’s steel wheel, which looks similar to those from previous generations.
The moulded bumpers and wheel arches keep painted surfaces far away from rocks, and the squared off design allows for more wheel travel. The square arches also allow for more space to replace, inflate or deflate tyres, which is a boon for anyone who loves playing in the sand.
The design of the instrument cluster, dashboard, partly exposed door panels and rear luggage area reminds drivers of the model’s nearly 50 year history, while also incorporating the improvement feedback from owners of these previous models.
In front of the driver, the retro theme continues with the tachometer and speedometer housed in separate square binnacles. These instruments are always illuminated, which emphasises the vehicle’s practical application.
Every single new Suzuki Jimny has the same mechanical pedigree and is ready for serious off-roading. The backbone of the new Jimny’s capabilities is the ladder frame chassis. In the new model, Suzuki’s engineers have added a patented cross member, the Suzuki X-member, between the two rigid axles.
As an additional benefit, the additional torsional strength has improved the Jimny’s on-road driving dynamics and overall crash safety.
Suzuki has strengthened the axle housings by 30% and has added a steering damper to the front suspension to limit steering wheel kickback and vibration on rough terrain.
The mechanical four-wheel drive system is greatly enhanced by Suzuki’s Brake Limited Slip Differential (LSD) and electronic stability control systems. The Brake LSD-system adjusts torque to the wheel with grip if another wheel on the same axle starts spinning. The system has an extra-power mode, which kicks in below 30km/h in low-range mode for the best possible traction.
The latest Jimny improves on its predecessor’s off-road angles with an approach angle of 37 degrees (35 degrees on the previous model), a departure angle of 49 degrees (46 degrees before) and a breakover angle of 28 degrees (previously 27 degrees). The Jimny has a ground clearance of 210mm, which is 20mm more than the previous model.
For the all-new Jimny, Suzuki’s engineers have replaced the M13A 1.3 litre engine with a new 1.5 litre K15B petrol engine. The new engine has a higher compression ratio (10.0:1) and greater thermal efficiency to deliver more power, while using less fuel.
The new engine produces 75kW of power at 6000rpm and 130Nm of torque at 4000rpm.
All of the Jimny models have air conditioning, power steering and the complete ALLGRIP PRO 4×4 system with Brake LSD, ESP, Hill Hold Control and Hill Descent Control.
The GLX models get a host of additional features, including climate control, electric windows and mirrors, Auto LED projector headlamps, remote central locking and cruise control. The GLX models are also fitted with Suzuki’s Smartphone Linkage Display Audio (SLDA).
This double-DIN audio system has a 7-inch infrared-touch screen with Android Auto, Apple Carplay and MirrorLink integration. The system has a USB connector, SD-card slot and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and the most important features can be controlled by buttons on the leather-covered steering wheel.
In the luggage area, perfect for camping trips, the focus on practical space finds application in special utility hooks and screw holes for additional hooks, which are readily available at the nearest Suzuki dealer.
The squared-off design means that the luggage space is now 1015mm wide (previously 915mm) and, on GLX models, the seatbacks have been covered in hard-wearing plastic for greater durability.
On the GLX models, there are a host of additional features in the storage area. The rear seats can fold down individually, there is an additional removable luggage box and toolbox under the luggage area floor and Suzuki has added an extra 12V socket to power items such as a camping fridge.
Suzuki will offer a wide range of accessories for both city-dwellers and off-road enthusiasts. These include mud flaps, side under-garnish strips, under-garnish for the front bumper, front and rear differential guards, utility and luggage hooks and side body mouldings.
The GLX model is standard with a four year or 60 000km service plan and the GA model with a two year or 30000km service plan. All models are sold with a five year or 20 0000km mechanical warranty.
