Suzuki Jimny grows with 5-door version. Will it arrive in Portugal? – Observer
The Jimny is, more than an SUV, a jeep in its own right, since it is conceived as a pure and hard 4×4 similar to models such as the Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender and Mercedes G-Class, safeguarded with due differences. The chassis of beams and crossbeams bolted to the body allows it to withstand violent abuse and the 4×4 transmission system with two rigid axles and reduction gears make it the ideal partner for those who want to venture far off-road and have a reduced budget. .
The Jimny has been present in the domestic market since the 2nd generation, introduced in 1981, and It has always been very popular thanks to the fact that it is the cheapest Jeep on the market. The 4th and last generation, driven in 2019, got off to a good start, despite continuing to be neither very habitable nor very comfortable on bad ground. But the passenger version would eventually be withdrawn from the market, as the price was uncompetitive due to the high emissions of the small 1.5 petrol engine with 102 hp, only the Pro version, with 2 seats, was available for those looking for a commercial vehicle.
Now the Japanese manufacturer surprised by presenting at Auto Expo 2023, the Indian auto show that takes place in New Delhi, a five-door version of the Jimny, proving that, in this case, bigger is better. Longer, the model has 3,645 m between ends, 25 cm more than the three-door version, with the wheelbase now being 2,590 m, 34 cm more than the version with fewer doors that is available on the market. With this long version, which continues to maintain the same type of chassis, transmission and aesthetics, Suzuki solves two of the Jimny’s biggest limitations.namely the reduced interior space and comfort, since the longer wheelbase makes the model less “hard” on degraded floors.
The engine at the service of the 5-door Jimny now launched in the Indian market continues to be the 1.5 with four cylinders of gasoline, but now has a mild hybrid system to reduce consumption and emissions. Contacted the Suzuki importer for our market, we were informed that nothing has been decided regarding the sale of this version to Portuguese drivers. But hope does not seem to be great.