Maruti Suzuki begins production and export of Jimny from India
Maruti Suzuki is finally closing in on bringing one of its most awaited and desirable global models to India. Production of the Jimny has begun at the brand’s Gurugram facility and the first shipment of 184 units is headed from the Mundra port in Gujarat to Latin American countries like Peru and Columbia.
This is the fourth generation of the Suzuki Jimny that was introduced internationally in 2018 and the same model is headed to our shores as well, albeit speculations say that the India-spec Jimny is likely to be slightly different in terms of dimensions. However, this doesn’t change the fact that the Jimny is one of the most desirable and affordable off-roaders out there and enthusiasts in India especially have been clamouring for its launch.
The Jimny is set to be the Gypsy’s successor in India and carrying the legacy forward, it aims to strike the perfect balance between on and off-road usage. The official power and torque figures of the India-spec Jimny have not been announced yet, but the 1.5-litre K-series petrol engine is expected to produce 103.5bhp and 138Nm, just like its other siblings like the Ciaz and Vitara Brezza. It is available with a five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic and gets Suzuki’s AllGrip four-wheel-drive system with low range as standard.
With the Jimny being manufactured in India, Suzuki aims to take load off the Kosai plant in Japan. Commenting on the occasion, Kenichi Ayukawa, MD and CEO, MSIL said, “Jimny will fulfill aspirations of customers throughout the world. Jimny manufactured at Maruti Suzuki’s Gurugram plant shares the same specification as the export models produced at the Suzuki Motor Corporation’s Kosai plant in Japan. We are confident with Jimny we will be able to enhance our overall exports.”
Given the success that the Gypsy has enjoyed over the decades, expect the Jimny to be a big success as well after its launch in the domestic market sometime this year. And ever since Maruti Suzuki surprised us at the Auto Expo 2020 by showcasing the Jimny in the attractive ‘Jungle Green’ colour, the excitement for its launch has been sky high and we cannot wait to get behind its wheel!
