Maruti to start producing the Jimny in India shortly: Launch & pricing details REVEALED
Maruti Suzuki showcased the Jimny off roader at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo, and a lot of showgoers showed big interest in the mini SUV. Now, Maruti Suzuki will begin producing the Jimny from May 2020, at its Sanand factory in Gujarat. The first few thousand Jimnys produced in India will be shipped primarily to markets abroad.
Maruti Suzuki plans to launch the Jimny in India after about 6 months of production, which means that the SUV should be available to buy by the end of this year, or early next year if delayed. The best part is the price at which Maruti plans to sell the Jimny at, in India. ACP reports that the Jimny will be priced at under Rs. 10 lakh, making it a very compelling buy for those looking for a compact yet highly capable off roader. In essence, the Jimny is all set to become the Gypsy’s replacement in the Indian market.
The Jimny sold in India will be mechanically identical to the one that will be exported. It will share its engine and gearbox with the likes of the Maruti Ciaz, Brezza, S-Cross and Ertiga. In other words, the India-spec Jimny will be powered by the tried and tested 1.5 liter-4 cylinder K-Series petrol engine with 104 Bhp of peak power and 138 Nm of peak torque. A five speed manual gearbox will drive the rear wheels while higher variants may even be offered with a 4 speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
What will be standard across variants though is a part-time four wheel drive layout. The Jimny is an off-roader that uses a body-on-ladder design, which gives it excellent off road ability and enough toughness to take on rough terrain. The SUV will have independent suspension on front wheels and a torsion beam set up at the rear. The suspension design, which dumps leaf springs, is meant to make it comfortable on the road and very capable off the road.
The Jimny will get safety features such as ABS+EBD, reverse parking sensors, twin airbags, speed alerts and seatbelt reminders as standard across trims. Maruti could offer 6 airbags on higher variants. Autonomous emergency braking and lane assist – features offered on the international models – are likely to be dumped on the Indian version. The NEXA chain of dealerships will sell the Jimny, which will be the only off-roader in Maruti’s Indian line up.
Black interiors with seating for four adults will be on offer. The Jimny sold in India will be the short wheelbase version – the same as the international model, and will continue to offer a two door layout. Maruti’s SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be on offer. Keep an eye out for test mules of the Jimny on Indian roads in the run up to launch.