A new square-rigged look has done wonders – already – for Suzuki’s iconic Jimny. NZ4WD Editor Ross MacKay explains why!
Suzuki’s funky new fourth-generation Jimny Sierra is here and such was the demand from punters around the country that it went on sale BEFORE it was officially launched!
Prices here start at $25,990 +ORC for single colour manual transmission versions and go to $28,000 +ORC for a two-tone auto.
Key features of the all-new selectable 2/4WD and low range transfer case-equipped small 4WD SUV are;
- It is 30mm shorter in overall length, 45mm wider and 20mm higher than the previous model.
- It retains a traditional ladder-frame chassis for optimum off-road performance.
- ALLGRIP ‘PRO’ selectable four-wheel-drive is standard.
- It is the most technically advanced Jimny model yet produced with six air bags, an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Anti Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Hill Hold Control (HHC), HIll Descent Control (HDC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and a new Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system
- AEB kicks in if the system determines that there is a risk of collision with a forward vehicle or pedestrian. If activated, it issues an audio and visual warning, increases braking force, or applies autonomous emergency braking depending on the situation to help avoid a collision or reduce damage.
A high standard specification also includes climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a seven-inch touch screen tuner with MP3/WMA/Bluetooth hands-free and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, GPS-based Sat Nav Navigation system as well as LED Projector headlights and day running lights.
In terms of off-road chops ground clearance is 210mm, the approach angle is 37 degrees, departure angle 49 and rampover 28 degrees.
Under the bonnet is a new fuel-injected DOHC/16-valve 1462cc four-cylinder petrol engine which produces 75kW of peak power at 6000prm and 130Nm of peak torque at 4000 rpm, and which Suzuki figures say has a combined cycle fuel economy of 6.4l/100km.
The new Jimny is now one of a handful of true off-road capable SUVs equipped as standard with live axles front and rear. The front axle housing is now constructed of more robust high tensile steel and the rear axle housing is larger diameter with 30 per cent higher flexural strength for greater durability.
Jimny also comes complete with Suzuki’s foolproof Allgrip Pro part-time 4WD system with low range transfer gear, which can be easily switched from 2H (2WD-high gear), 4H (4WD-high gear) and 4L (4WD-low gear) modes by a manually operated shift lever directly connected to the transfer gear.
As well, when two wheels diagonal to each other lose traction, a new brake LSD traction control function automatically brakes the slipping wheels to redistribute torque to the other side and allow the vehicle to gain traction.
The first Jimny model was launched in 1970 with total cumulative global sales for the vehicle now over 2,854,000 units.
It’s certainly been a long time between drinks since the last major upgrade, it being two decades since the third-generation model made its debut in 1998!
To read the full story in the April 2019 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (March 15) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.
