Suzuki Jimny convertible: What it’ll look like

Next month, Suzuki will officially launch the fourth generation Jimny off-roader. The launch will first take place in Japan followed by other countries around the world. India is also expected to be a market for the Jimny, but in long wheelbase form. For now, Suzuki has only revealed the short wheelbase version of the Jimny. Meanwhile, a soft-top convertible variant of the new Jimny is also likely in the future. This is in keeping with Suzuki’s approach of offering both hard-top and soft-top options on successive generations of the Jimny. Here’s what it’ll look like.

Render courtesy XTomi Design

As the render indicates, the Jimny convertible looks butch yet very compact, and will make a great vehicle to be driven around top-down. It’s expected to get the larger, 1.5 litre-4 cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine from the off-road focused Jimny Sierra variant. The larger engine is likely to be the K-Series unit with 106 PS of peak power and about 138 Nm of peak torque. A 5-speed manual gearbox will be offered as standard on this engine, with a 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox offered as an option.

Like all other versions of the Jimny, the soft-top version will get a four-wheel drive layout as standard, with both low and high ranges. The vehicle will be based on a ladder frame chassis, with a brand new multi-link suspension on all four wheels. It will have impressive ground clearance and off-road manners. The Jimny will be a four seater. Modern bits on the off-roader include twin airbags, ABS and crumple zones. It’ll also get a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The soft-top Jimny will only be offered in short wheelbase trim. This also means that the chance of India getting the Jimny with a soft-top option is bleak considering the fact that Maruti feels that only the 7-seat version of the off-roader has a decent chance of success in India. So, buyers will have to make do with a hardtop. Many won’t complain considering the dusty weather conditions in most parts of India. If brought to India, expect the Jimny to replace the Gypsy, but priced at least a couple of lakhs higher considering the amount of technology the new off-roader packs in.