Mahindra Thar-rivalling Maruti Jimny Spied Testing In India For The First Time

While it is expected to arrive in 2021 in the new five-door avatar, the spied model was the three-door version

• The Suzuki Jimny made its India debut at Auto Expo 2020 in February.

• The new Jimny is essentially a successor to two generations of the iconic Gypsy Maruti sold in India. 

• Maruti is said to be working on a longer, more practical 5-door version for Indian buyers.

• The global-spec Jimny gets 4WD as standard with a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed AT.

• Maruti could bring the Jimny to India in 2021 via the Nexa dealer chain as a rival to the new Mahindra Thar.

Maruti had brought the fourth generation of the Suzuki Jimny (the second-gen known to us as the Gypsy) to India for the first time at Auto Expo 2020. While the carmaker has not officially announced plans to launch its popular mini off-roader in India anytime soon, auto enthusiasts have been clamouring on the internet for the new Jimny to be sold in India, for a couple of years now. It seems Maruti is looking at a way to make it happen with the Jimny now spied testing on Indian roads for the first time.

The Jimny spied was the same Sierra variant with the three-door body as showcased at the Expo. While it can seat at least four adults with barely any room for rear luggage, the three-door Jimny seemed like it wouldn’t be practical enough for the Indian buyer. Suzuki is said to be working on an extended wheelbase version with five doors and more cabin space to broaden its appeal.

In its global spec, the Jimny gets 4x4 as standard while the India-spec version is likely to offer the choice of a more affordable 4x2 drivetrain as well. The popularity of the new Mahindra Thar proves that people won’t mind a mildly utilitarian cabin design in exchange for the adventurous exterior and off-road driving capabilities. It still gets comforts such as a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control, auto AC, and up to six airbags in its best-equipped variant.

As an off-roading tool, the 4x4 Jimny gets a low-range transfer case to switch between 2WD-high, 4WD-high and 4WD low, The latter two are necessary for traversing tricky terrain while the 2WD setting makes more sense for general commute being more fuel efficient. Maruti is likely to offer the Jimny with the same 1.5-litre petrol engine, as other models like the Ertiga or the S-Cross wherein it produces 105PS of power and 138Nm of torque. This engine is usually offered with the choice of a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny could come to India by 2021 in a five-door avatar and would likely be sold via the Nexa chain of dealerships. It might be priced around Rs 10 lakh and would take on the likes of the Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha in India. The Jimny might even resurrect and adopt the Gypsy badge for the Indian market.

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