Images of the fourth generation Suzuki Jimny have been leaked online by Motor1. The images appear to have come from an official presentation.
Suzuki seems to have taken a step back in time and adopted a very retro design approach to the Jimny. Their design team has taken a leaf out of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class' book with squared off proportions, and a similar circular headlamp and bumper mounted tail lamp setup. The neo-retro design of the 2018 Suzuki Jimny also bears more than a passing resemblance to the 2004 Ford Bronco Concept. The five-slat grille is quite similar to the current Jimny's grille.
The leaked images seem to be that of the base spec hinted by the steel wheels, black ORVMs and door handle. The Jimny retains the three-door body style with a tailgate mounted spare wheel. Up front, it gets a clamshell bonnet. The front windows feature a slight kink towards the ORVM. At the back, the spare wheel cover gets a Rhino motif and very utilitarian bumper mounted tail lights.
Speculation regarding the engine and transmission options on the 2018 Suzuki Jimny suggests it will receive a 1.0 L Boosterjet petrol. This engine powers the Baleno RS in India and the Baleno in the UK. Visible in the leaked images of the interior is an automatic transmission gear selector indicating the SUV will continue to be offered with manual and automatic gearbox options. Also, Suzuki will offer the Jimny with their AllGrip 4x4 system, and it will continue to ride on a ladder frame chassis.
Suzuki also showed possible renditions of the Jimny in multiple dual tone paint schemes in the presentation. These had a slightly different headlamp and turn indicator setup, which means it is possible that the final design is yet to be arrived at. The spy shots of the test mule undergoing on-road testing do not reveal much, apart from multi-spoke black alloy wheels.
According to a report that surfaced in July 2016, Suzuki will produce the next generation Jimny in India. While no further details are available at this time on its production site, it is possible that the car could bring back the Maruti Gypsy moniker to the civilian market.
[Source - Motor1]
