2018 Suzuki Jimny: CLEAREST pictures straight from the factory floor

Production of the all-new, 2018 Suzuki Jimny has begun in Japan, in one of Suzuki’s many factories in that part of the world. The official debut of the 2018 Jimny will happen in July, following which the off-roader will go on sale across multiple international markets. Sadly for now, Maruti Suzuki has offered no comment about when exactly the Jimny would go on sale in India. However, Maruti’s head of engineering has remarked that a long wheelbase version of the Jimny, replete with 5 doors and seating for five adults, could eventually land in India. If that happens, India could be the production hub for the long wheelbase variant of the Jimny.

For now, we do know the specifications and details about the 2018 Jimny’s short wheelbase variant. A four seater meant for use both on and off the road, the 2018 Jimny gets a sporty, 3 door layout. Currently, it’ll be built only in hardtop guise, while a soft-top variant is in the works for a future launch.

The 4th generation Jimny will continue to use a rugged ladder frame built around box sections. The off roader will be a petrol-only vehicle with choices of 2 petrol engines – a 660cc, 3 cylinder turbocharged petrol and a 1.5 litre, naturally aspirated 4 cylinder petrol that’ll be offered on the Sierra trims. Both engines will get 5 speed manual and 4 speed torque converter automatic gearbox options.

The Jimny will be rear wheel driven, with a part-time four wheel drive transfer case with high and low ratios. To maintain its excellent manners off the road, the 2018 Jimny gets a brand new multi-link suspension at the front and the rear. To keep up with changing safety regulations, the off-roader will be offered with safety bits such as twin airbags and ABS as standard. As for infotainment, the center console sees the addition of a touchscreen unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Power steering and air conditioning are two features standard across all variants of the off-roader.