Jimny elevates its trailblazing heritage

YOCHANAAN COETZEE



By now we’ve established that Suzuki is simply in its own league when it comes to producing excellent and affordable vehicles. I mean, if something needs to move under its own power, Suzuki probably produces an engine for it.

Whether it’s their cars, motorcycles or outboard motors, this manufacturer doesn’t just make vehicles for the sake of transporting you, your buddies and all the braai equipment, but rather lifestyle vehicles that become your buddy that takes your braai to unbelievable locations.

The Suzuki Jimny is such a special kind of karretjie. In just over 50 years since the first LJ series models were released, there have been only three iterations of this favourite, and they’ve gone on to become some of the most celebrated cult cars of all time.

The early advertisements were more about thrashing it through hellish terrain than going on leisurely country drives, and though we miss that “try and break it” type of marketing challenge, this refined new Jimny is much more of an all-rounder.

Even in a year that saw mild hybrids and a phalanx of “all-new” models reach African shores, this little engine that could still shook up the market when it was launched recently.

So much so, that the release date had to be pushed back in certain countries, as they simply couldn’t keep up with the global demand, which is estimated at around 4 500 units per month. Seeing that Suzuki plans to increase production to 1 500 units per month, one can make the prediction that this little adventure-mobile is going to be a hot ticket for some time to come.

Small car, big shoes

Replacing its predecessor after a successful 20-year life cycle and with an international Good Design Award already perched on the mantlepiece, the new Suzuki Jimny is finally available Namibia, but selling out fast.

“The response we’ve recieved thus far has been truly incredible. Many customers had bought and paid for their new Jimny long before its release, with not as much as a test drive or laying an eye on the car.

“This just goes to show how much love, trust and affection the market has for this phenomenal compact SUV and we can’t wait to share this new chapter in the journey of the Jimny with our new and existing clients,” says Charl Oosthuisen, dealer-principal of Suzuki Namibia.

4x4 for sure

The 2018 Suzuki Jimny arrives here with a choice of two specification levels (GA and GLX), two transmission options (five-speed manual and four-speed automatic) and a host of made-for-adventure accessories.

What is not optional is the built-in off-road capability with Allgrip Pro mechanical shifting 4x2, 4x4 and 4x4 low-range transfer case and the proven, rigid ladder-frame chassis.

“The new Jimny not only shares many of the design cues of its forebears – the LJ, SJ and Jimny – it also shares their engineering ethos of providing a no-compromise off-road-capable vehicle that is accessible to everyone.

“In the absence of many affordable 4x4 vehicles, this philosophy of building a compact and capable off-road vehicle at an affordable price is now more needed than ever. And it has seen the Jimny quickly log multi-year waiting lists in many of the countries in which it has been introduced,” says André Venter, divisional head for sales and marketing at Suzuki Auto South Africa.

Venter explains that every one of the four generations of the Suzuki Jimny has kept to the same design brief: Build a compact, lightweight, affordable off-road vehicle with true 4x4 capabilities.

Good Design inside and out

Suzuki’s designers have worked hard to ensure that every styling cue and design element have both a cosmetic and a practical application.

The new Jimny’s striking angular design pays direct homage to the original LJ Series (1970 – 1981) and 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.

The retro-modern design of the new Jimny has found favour the world over and has been rewarded with a Good Design Award for combining styling features with practical application.

Interior design

The exterior design’s blend of practical and retro design cues is carried over into the interior design. Here, 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.

The dashboard is designed in three horizontal layers. The strong horizontal lines act as visual reference of the horizontal plane when driving off road and it cleverly incorporates an assist-grip and cell-phone tray on the middle level and a glovebox on the lower level.

The same horizontal lines flow to the moulded door panels with partly exposed, body-coloured metal sections. These panels were designed to be easy to clean, robust and fit into the overall angular style of the new Jimny.

The designers have taken special care to emphasise the tactile elements inside the cabin.

The instrument panel housings have been finished in a brushed metal finish and the door handles have been enlarged for easy operation (or to hang on!) even when you are wearing work gloves. Similarly, the switches and dials have been designed for easy operation with work gloves and all stalks and dials have been tested for easy, intuitive operation.

All 4 essentials for serious off-roading

While luxury specifications and accessories may vary from model to model, 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.

The X-member consists of two diagonal cross-members that further strengthen the chassis. This helps to limit body flex in serious cross-axle off-road driving and also creates a very sturdy platform for the fitment of the body and the underbody parts. As an additional benefit, the additional torsional strength has improved the Jimny’s on-road driving dynamics and overall crash safety.

The second essential element of a true off roader is the rigid-axle suspension system. Rigid axles greatly improve serious off-road capabilities, as they mechanically force one wheel down if the opposite wheel is raised from the ground. Furthermore, the axle system prevents the nose from diving under speed, which is a boon when driving in dunes, and it handles rutted roads with greater ease.

The third element: Allgrip Pro four-wheel drive with low-range transfer gear. The new Jimny replaces the push-button selection between 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (4WD high range) and 4L (low-range 4WD) with a shift lever that is directly connected to the transfer gear and can switch between 2H and 4H on the fly at speeds of up to 100 km/h.

Building on the legend

The mechanical four-wheel-drive system is greatly enhanced by Suzuki’s proprietary Brake Limited Slip Differential 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.

Brake LSD is supported by Hill Hold Control and Hill Descent Control, which are standard on all models. Hill Descent Control will maintain a descent speed of 10 km/h in 4WD high range and 5 km/h in 4WD low range, which allows the driver to focus on navigating obstacles without having to use the brake pedal.

All these integrated 4x4 assist systems are combined as Suzuki’s proprietary Allgrip Pro off-road system and are standard on all models of the new Jimny.

The fourth essential element of a good off-roader is its approach, departure and breakover angles.

The new Jimny improves on its predecessor’s off-road angles by offering an approach angle of 37 degrees, a departure angle of 49 degrees and a breakover angle of 28 degrees. The departure angle is especially impressive and benefits from the slightly shorter body and redesigned rear bumper.

The Jimny has a ground clearance of 210 mm, which is 20 mm more than the previous model.

Larger engine, lower fuel bill

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 is rated at 75 kW at 6 000 rpm and 130 Nm at 4 000 rpm.

Fuel consumption on a combined cycle has been tested at 6.3 litres for the manual models and 6.8 litres for the automatic model.

An imcomparable package

All versions of the Suzuki Jimny have air-conditioning, power-steering and the complete Allgrip Pro 4x4 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” 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 terms of comfort, the front seats have been redesigned to fold completely flat with the rear bench to allow someone to sleep inside the cabin.

On the passenger side, this flat-folding seat and foldable rear bench allow for a completely flat loading surface for long equipment, such as surfboards.

The cabin itself has been made roomier, thanks to the clever interior design and the square exterior shape.

The squared-off design means that the luggage space is now 1 015 mm wide (previously 915 mm) 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.

Uncompromising safety

The new model has impact-absorbing zones in the bumper, wipers, cowl, bonnet and hinges, and fenders to protect pedestrians. For occupants, the TECT-rated body, additional side-impact bars and two front airbags ensure the best possible passive crash safety.

On the active safety side, all Jimny models are fitted with ABS brakes with emergency brake assistance (BAS) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) to prevent wheel slip on all wheels and to help the Jimny track true on slippery surfaces and at high speed.

All Jimny models also have Isofix child seat anchors, a high-mounted brake light and an emergency pedal release system.

Buyers of the new Suzuki Jimny can choose between three dual-tone and five single-tone colours. The dual-tone colours are a new high-visibility Kinetic Yellow, Brisk Blue Metallic and Chiffon Ivory Metallic. These models have a gloss black roof.

The single-tone colours are Jungle Green, Bluish Black Pearl, Medium Grey, Silky Silver Metallic and White.

The new Suzuki Jimny definitely lives up to its heritage and its hype. This little compact can compete with the best in its bracket and does so in a package that is attractive, safe, comfortable, and near unbreakable.

Head on down to Suzuki Namibia on Hosea Kutako Avenue to experience the revolution for yourself.