Set to be unveiled in July 2018, the fourth-gen Jimny could replace the ageing Gypsy in India!





Suzuki’s famous old-school body-on-frame 4x4, the Jimny, is set for a major makeover after two decades. Since last year, the web has been flooded with spy shots and leaked renderings of the upcoming fourth-gen SUV. Now, Suzuki has finally revealed official pictures along with select details of the tiny 4x4 SUV, which is expected to replace the ageing Gypsy in India. Some of you may already know the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy is essentially the second-gen Jimny. 





Pictured: Suzuki SJ/ second-gen Suzuki Jimny/ Maruti Suzuki Gypsy 



The latest set of images show that Suzuki has retained the classic styling of the Jimny’s predecessors with the fourth-gen model as well. While the outgoing version had a few curves, the upcoming fourth-gen has gone back to its boxy roots, like the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class and 2018 Jeep Wrangler. 





The latest iteration of the Jimny features a lot of design elements that seem to have been inspired by the second-gen Jimny a.k.a the Gypsy. Look closely, and you’ll notice that the new Jimny has a clamshell bonnet like the Gypsy. The third-gen model, on the other hand, had a flatter bonnet that melded into the front fender.





Pictured: Third-gen Suzuki Jimny



The headlights are circular again, albeit with LED projector lamps and daytime running lamps (DRLs). The signature Jeep-like slats continue to find a place on the grille.





Pictured: Third-gen Suzuki Jimny



The tail lamps are placed low on the rear bumper, as is the case with the Gypsy. The previous Jimny had a dual setup with lamps on the rear fenders as well as the bumper. There are eight colour options to choose from, including three dual-tone options. 





The Gypsy theme continues on the inside as well. The twin-pod instrument cluster takes you back to the 80s and there’s a chunky grab handle with exposed nuts as well.





There are bits from the new Swift such as the steering wheel, albeit not a flat-bottom unit, and the auto climate control unit as well. Then there are Ignis-like AC vents along with the toggle switches placed below the AC unit.  







As expected, the fourth-gen Jimny continues to be based on a ladder frame chassis. Like before, it has three-link rigid axles with coil springs. The Gypsy, on the other hand, had leaf springs at the front and rear. So expect the ride to be more compliant than the Gypsy.





Although Suzuki is yet to reveal the engine options of the new Jimny, the image of the chassis shows that it will be equipped with a 4-cylinder motor. It could be the rumoured 1.5-litre petrol that the Jimny is expected to get. Nevertheless, Suzuki’s Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engines are also expected to be offered with the new Jimny. And like before, the SUV will continue to be equipped with a part-time four-wheel drive system along with a low range transfer case.





India bound? 



The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy has been on sale in India for more than three decades now. In fact, it is from the same era as the erstwhile 1000 (which was later renamed the Esteem) and the Omni. Despite its age, the venerable Gypsy continues to enjoy cult status in the country and still makes for an ideal rally car. However, it is not so popular in the passenger segment due to the lack of basic features and a waiting period that stretches across several months. The Gypsy doesn’t even have power steering, air conditioning or power windows. Moreover, there are absolutely no safety features in this 30-year-old SUV, something that urban buyers expect as standard these days. 





With the government likely to implement more stringent safety norms in the near future, it is possible that Maruti Suzuki could soon pull the plug on the Gypsy. After all, the cost associated with equipping the SUV with dual front airbags and ABS with EBD, as the new norms would require, will be more expensive than introducing an all-new car. That’s where we expect the Jimny will come in handy. Bringing the Jimny to India will also give the carmaker a more modern off-roader for the various rallies and adventure raids it conducts every year. The Jimny could even be offered as a premium product and sold alongside the Baleno and Ignis using the carmaker’s Nexa brand of showrooms.





If the Jimny comes to India, would you like Marut to rename it the Gypsy for nostalgia’s sake?  Tell us in the comment section below. 



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