Next-gen Suzuki Jimny Coming Soon; To Be Manufactured In India

Yeah, you read it right. After dodging Indian fans for over a decade, the Suzuki Jimny is likely to make it to our shores -- with a twist -- next year. The twist being that though the SUV will be made in India for export to Europe, Indonesia and Brazil, it is quite unlikely to be launched in the country. However, given the love that people here have for Gypsy (Jimny is the next generation model of our current Gypsy), the Japanese carmaker might introduce it in India at a later stage.

The all-new, fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny is likely to share the same platform as the Baleno and the upcoming Ignis. Production is expected to start in early 2017, from the carmaker’s newly set up manufacturing facility in Gujarat. 

The Jimny is a three-door vehicle and, if by any chance, it’s launched in India, Suzuki will have to stretch the wheelbase to develop a four-door version of the compact SUV as three-doors are still an alien thing for the Indian market. As far as its name, Jimny, is concerned, the carmaker may call it ‘Samurai’ or reincarnate the Gypsy appellation, taking into consideration the cult following and brand recall the car has in the country. 

The SUV is likely to be produced only as a petrol version, employing a 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine as standard. The same engine will be equipped in the upcoming Baleno RS and the Ignis. 

In the looks department, one glance at the Jimny and you’ll see the similarity with the Gypsy. The car would certainly have been a runaway success had it been launched five years ago. However, the look now definitely feels dated and coupled with intense competition, the road ahead for the Jimny, aka Gypsy, looks full of obstacles in India. 

So will you buy a Jimny if it were to be launched today? Do let us know through the comments section below.

Source: Carandbikes.com