The Indo-Japanese carmaker is all set to expand its SUV product portfolio with the new Maruti Suzuki Jimny off-roader. Speaking to WharCar, Shashank Srivastava, executive director, sales and marketing, Maruti Suzuki India, has revealed that the company is working on the SUV’s marketing plan. Earlier this year, the carmaker started manufacturing the 3-door Jimny in India for the export market including Africa, Middle East and Latin America. The Maruti Jimny SUV, which was first showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo, received overwhelming response from visitors.
Currently, the company is collecting feedback from prospective customers that will help making Jimny more feasible for the Indian market. The off-road SUV might get some India-specific cosmetic changes and feature upgrades based on the feedbacks. The market research for its pricing is also under the way. While its official launch timeline is yet to be revealed, the Maruti Jimny is reported to arrive early next year.
According to reports, the Indo-Japanese carmaker might bring in the 5-door version of the Jimny in India. Based on the long wheelbase, the bigger Jimny is likely to debut alongside the updated 3-door Jimny in early 2022. Here, it will face challenge from lifestyle SUVs such as the Mahindra Thar (5-door) and the new Force Grukha. Prices of the 5-door Maruti Suzuki Jimny are likely to start from Rs 10 lakh and go up to Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom). Read – New-Gen Maruti Vitara Brezza To Get Sunroof, 6AT
Under the hood, the Maruti Jimny will employ a 1.5L K15B petrol engine that’s good enough for 102bhp. The carmaker might also introduce the stronger hybrid technology on the SUV model lineup. Reports also suggest that there could be 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine as well. It’s the same powertrain that does duty in the Maruti Vitara Brezza compact SUV, Ertiga MPV, Ciaz sedan and S-Cross crossover. The new Jimny can be had with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed torque convertor automatic transmission.
