We reported earlier that Maruti Suzuki won’t be introducing the 3-door Jimny in the country. Instead, the brand is readying a 5-door version of the mini off-roader. A new Team-BHP report claims that Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch the locally developed Jimny 5-door in the country by July 2022.
Jimny 5-Door Codenamed YMD
Codenamed YWD, the new 5-door version of the Jimny will be developed for the Indian markets. The report further claims that drawings of the new model have already been finalized. In fact, requests for quotations (RFQs) will be submitted to domestic suppliers within January 2021.
The India-spec Maruti Jimny 5-door will be powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that also powers the Vitara Brezza and the S-Cross. This engine is capable of producing 103bhp of power and 138Nm of torque. A four-wheel-drive system is expected to come as standard. Both manual and automatic gearbox options are likely to be on offer.
3-Door Jimny Cancelled
Maruti Suzuki is currently producing 1,200-1,500 units of the 3-door Jimny SUV per month for exports only. The company has no plans to introduce this mini off-roader with 3-doors in the country. It was speculated that MSIL could display this off-roader at NEXA dealerships to gauge customers response.
Could Be Called New Gypsy
It is expected that the 5-door version of the Jimny could be re-branded as the new-gen Maruti Suzuki Gypsy. The new model will be sold through NEXA premium dealership network, which current sells Ciaz, S-Cross, Baleno, Ignis and XL6.
The 5-door model will have a longer wheelbase and is expected to be based on the Jimny Sierra. The Sierra is 3,550mm long, 1,645mm wide and 1,730mm tall, and has a ground clearance of 210mm. It has a wheelbase of 2,250mm. The 5-door model is expected to measure around 3.9 meters in length, and the wheelbase is likely to be increased by 200-250mm to 2,500mm.
Maruti Suzuki’s SUV Onslaught
Maruti Suzuki is reportedly readying around 5 new utility vehicles for the Indian market. The company will introduce the next-gen Vitara Brezza, Baleno based compact crossover, a new mid-sized SUV and the new Jimny in India by 2023. Adding to it, the company is also working on the next-gen S-Cross.
