Maruti Suzuki has greenlit Jimny for an India launch, the details of which were conveyed to the dealers at a recently held dealer conference. Speculation about the Jimny launching in India has been around ever since it was showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo, and, as reported by us earlier, the India-spec Jimny will be a 5-door model. That said, Maruti hasn't revealed a specific timeline for the launch of the Jimny in India yet.
- Jimny 5-door will measure under 4 metres in length
- Will be powered by 1.5-litre petrol engine likely with mild-hybrid tech
- No specific launch timeline has been revealed yet
Maruti Suzuki Jimny: what do we know so far?
Dimensionally, the 5-door version of the Jimny sees a 300mm increase in length and wheelbase over the 3-door Jimny available globally. The SUV will measure 3,850mm in length, 1,645mm in width and 1,730mm in height and will have a wheelbase of 2,550mm. Notably, the Jimny will be under 4 metres in length, measuring similar to the Swift, although its wheelbase is slightly longer than that of the Vitara Brezza. The Jimny will also be the only SUV of its kind with a proper 4x4 system in this compact SUV class.
Under the hood, the Jimny will be powered by the carmaker’s familiar 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine that comes with Maruti’s 12V SHVS mild-hybrid system. This engine already does duty on models like Vitara Brezza, Ciaz, Ertiga and the S-Cross and produces 102hp of power and 138Nm of peak torque. Transmission chances will likely include a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
What’s interesting to note here is that despite measuring under 4 metres in length, the Jimny will not fall in the lower excise category in India as it uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny: export strategy
Maruti Suzuki has been locally manufacturing 3-door left-hand drive versions of the Jimny for export for almost about a year now. However, as per sources, Maruti has now also started local manufacturing of 3-door right-hand drive versions of the Jimny for the purpose of export. Thus, Maruti may also launch the three-door version of the Jimny in India at a later stage.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny: expected price and rivals
Given that the Jimny will employ a four-wheel drive system, expect it to be priced at a premium over the existing crop of compact SUVs in the country. It will certainly be a niche product, and while it does not have any direct rivals in terms of its size, it will almost certainly face competition from the likes of the Mahindra Thar and the Force Gurkha.
What do you think about Maruti's plans to launch the Jimny in India? Do you think that 3-door Jimny should also be launched here? Let us know in the comments below.
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