Final week we explored how Suzuki went about turning a crude product right into a succesful, rugged and reasonably priced 4×4 over the course of two generations.
Whereas we launched the second-generation mannequin final week, it bought for 17 years, and as a part of this lengthy lifecycle obtained a big replace within the mid-Nineteen Nineties.
In addition to revised styling and a extra comfy inside, there got here the addition of coil-sprung suspension. An computerized gearbox was additionally made an choice.
To show its bonafides, a modified second-generation Jimny claimed the world file for the very best altitude attained by a four-wheeled automobile in 2007, when it reached a top of 6688m within the Andes mountain vary.
Let’s proceed now by exploring the third and fourth technology fashions.
MORE: The Suzuki Jimny recordsdata – Half 1
Jimny Technology 3 (1998-2017)
With its predecessor soldiering on via the Nineteen Nineties, the third technology would require a big revamp to stay related.
Often called the JB sequence, it launched in 1998 and featured extra trendy styling, with the provision of body-coloured bumpers and wheel arches, and a Jeep-like 5 slat entrance grille.
The JB Jimny featured a totally overhauled inside, with the dashboard washable and utilizing curved, moulded plastics.
Fairly than a mechanical shifter, low-range and different 4WD modes could possibly be chosen through buttons on the centre console. Different enhancements to the 4WD system included vacuum locking hubs.
In Australia the Jimny initially carried over the 1.3-litre 4 cylinder engine from its predecessor, with late 1998 fashions persevering with to have outputs of 59kW and 104Nm of torque.
The third-generation Jimny was initially accessible in each JX and better specification JLX grade, with the latter additionally providing the choice of a four-speed computerized transmission.
To fulfill Japanese kei automobile necessities, JDM fashions have been accessible with a 658cc (0.66-litre) inline three-cylinder engine. With diesel remaining a well-liked engine selection in Europe, this market was additionally supplied with a Renault 1.4-litre turbo-diesel engine.
At launch in 1998, a base Jimny JX guide price $16,950 earlier than on-road prices (equal to $30,022 right now), with the most costly computerized JLX topping out at $20,250 (equal to $35,867 right now).
The second technology Jimny had the Holden drover as one among its badge-engineered variants, however for the third technology it was Mazda which partnered with Suzuki for its personal model of the Jimny.
Often called the Autozam AZ-Offroad, Mazda bought this mannequin till 2003 within the Japanese home market, outfitted with the Jimny’s kei-car engine. Just like the Drover, different adjustments to the AZ-Offroad have been minor, with key variations being a restyled entrance grille.
Subsequent updates noticed the unique 1.3-litre engine changed by new generations, with the later M13A inline four-cylinder finally adopting applied sciences similar to variable valve timing for improved gasoline effectivity.
By the point gross sales of the third-generation Jimny ended for the Australian market, energy and torque had each elevated very barely to 62.5kW and 110Nm.
Jimny Technology 4 (2018-Current)
The fourth-generation Jimny took a extra retro method to its design, with a boxy, rugged form that aimed to supply a contemporary interpretation of the styling launched with the first- and second-generation variants.
Design highlights included what Suzuki known as ‘drip rails’ on the roof that aimed to forestall water dripping onto passengers as they entered or exited the automobile, in addition to the in-vogue use of wider black plastic wheel arches, entrance and rear bumpers, and different cladding.
Though retaining a three-door profile much like its predecessors, the newest Jimny additionally shifts its tail-lights under into the rear bumper, with the model claiming that this allows the tailgate to be wider. Headlights additionally revert to a purely spherical form (somewhat than contained in a sq. case like its predecessor) and are actually accessible with LED know-how.
Likewise the inside retains a extremely useful method, with plain black surfacing and options similar to a seize deal with built-in above the glovebox. Suzuki claims that the sturdy horizontal traces additionally help the driving force in figuring out the angle of the automobile relative to the bottom, whereas the plain color minimises distractions.
Engine-wise, Suzuki has upped the displacement for international markets from the tried-and-true 1.3-litres of the third and later variations of the second technology Jimny, to 1.5-litres.
Energy and torque have additionally correspondingly elevated to 75kW and 130Nm, with this engine persevering with to be mated to improved variations of the 5 velocity guide and 4 velocity computerized transmissions of earlier technology Jimnys.
Future
The newest Jimny technology is notable for the truth that in contrast to its predecessors, it has solely been accessible in a single 3-door hardtop physique model, ditching the convertible and ute choices that have been accessible beforehand.
Nevertheless, that is prone to change within the close to future, with Suzuki having been noticed testing an extended five-door variant.
MORE: The Suzuki Jimny recordsdata – Half 1
