Maruti Suzuki will manufacture the sub-compact SUV Jimny in India for local as well as export markets, claims carandbike. Slated for a 2017 launch, the Jimny is based on the same platform that underpins the Baleno and will also serves as a base for the upcoming Ignis. The car is expected to be manufactured at the company’s upcoming plant in Gujarat.
While there have been numerous reports of the Jimny being launched in India in the past, India’s association with the vehicle is already quite old. The immensely popular Gypsy was based on the 3rd-generation Jimny, albeit with an extended wheelbase. While it may seem logical for the company to launch the Jimny in absence of the Gypsy, the Jimny is quite small vehicle. With two doors and a short wheelbase, the Jimny is almost the size of a hatchback with more height. The model to be launched in India though is expected to have an extended wheelbase and four-doors. This also opens up the possibility of the company using the popular Gypsy brand for the vehicle in order to encash on the brand’s historical popularity.
The Jimny is expected to be powered by a 1.0 L Boosterjet petrol engine, which will be launched on the Baleno RS in the next few weeks. The possibility of a diesel engine is yet to be confirmed. While the company has not yet made any official comments about the Jimny, we’ll keep you updated with any developments as and when they happen.
