Jimny is cute, cocky and very capable
By: Henrie Geyser
Car manufacturers love using the word “cute” when they launch a new small model because it often disguises the fact that the car is the size of a shoe box, has bicycle brakes, an engine with the power of a coffee-grinder and the handling abilities of a supermarket trolley.
Not so in the case of the new Suzuki Jimny just launched in South Africa.
Yes, it is small, but it certainly makes up for its size with amazing off-road credentials, an economic and comfortable black top ride, zippy performance and the cuddly good looks of a Labrador puppy.
And on top of that it wears a price tag of R149,900 which makes it the best-priced full 4x4 on the local market. Suzuki is banking on about 70 sales a month between now and the end of the year.
Being a betting man I reckon the Jimny is going to out-sell their most optimistic expectations.
Because of its tough but sexy looks, off-road abilities and trendy newness it is the sort of vehicle that will appeal to a wide buying audience - right across the spectrum of young and trendy singles, small families, sporty out-door types and last-time new car buyers.
There is also a lot of sentiment attached to the brand and model, because years ago before Suzuki stopped selling cars in South Africa, its compact Samurai SJ-series 4x4s became icons and to this day command good prices.
They had a reputation for being highly capable, tough, reliable, economical and great fun to own - and this is precisely the reputation the new Jimny is hoping to recapture.
As Kazuyuki Yamashita, Managing Director of Suzuki Auto SA, says: "The Suzuki Jimny is widely acknowledged as an extraordinarily talented 4x4. Because of its ultra-compact dimensions and 'cute' factor, it is easily underestimated. But the reality is that it can take on, and beat, much larger and more powerful all-terrainers in sheer 4x4 terms.
"One should remember that the Jimny's appeal extends beyond the specialist 4x4 market. Given its extensive standard specification, versatility, economy and 'hip' appeal, it could well become a surprise hit among those seeking something a little different, economical and practical at a value-added price."
And his comments are not just the usual marketing buzz words, because this cutie pie Suzuki oozes appeal, not just as a capable bundu-basher, but also as a trendy city slicker.
I drove it over a rugged, rock-strewn trail at Assegaai Bosch which is tucked away in the mountains in the middle of nowhere somewhere between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn on a route where blue-bearded, big-engined full 4x4's will battle to make progress.
Such were the demands of this track that it took nearly an hour to progress just five kilometres and the Jimny took it in its stride.
Its 1.3-litre engine pushes out 63kW and 110Nm which doesn't sound like muscle overdose, but because of its rigid front and rear axles, coil spring suspension, 4x4 drive-train with transfer case and robust box-section chassis, it climbs like a rock rabbit.
Power comes via a five-speed manual gearbox linked to a low-range transfer case which allows push-button selection of rear-wheel drive, high-range four-wheel drive, or low-range four-wheel drive
Measuring only 3,645mm long, 1,600mm wide and 1,705mm tall, the Suzuki is every bit as nimble and agile as it looks, while the 190mm ground clearance aids overall traversability.
It has an impressive 37 degree approach angle, while the departure angle comes to an even more remarkable 46 degrees. The ramp breakover angle is 31 degrees.
Because it only weighs 1,070kg and has a tight turning circle of only 9.8m it is easy to ease around tight corners where other, bigger and heavier vehicles would have to chameleon walk forwards and backwards up a twisty slope.
Quite remarkably for a vehicle that is fairly narrow and upright, the ride is far from hippety-hop and out on the tar it will gallop happily along to 140km/h and zip round corners without feeling like a top heavy double-decker bus.
It comes standard with 15-inch alloys wrapped with 205/70 R15 Bridgestone Dueler tyres.
Because of its size passengers sit fairly close together and there is not a lot of leg space at the back, but it has a neat 113 litres of luggage space which can be boosted to 324 litres by folding the back seats forward.
Other standard equipment include fog lamps, colour-coded side body protection panels, pronounced wheel arches and a spare wheel attached to the side-opening tailgate.(The wheel does not have a security lock-nut, but Suzuki is looking at it and are considering it as an option).
Convenience items include electric windows, power steering, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, central locking, air-conditioning, two front and two rear cupholders, and height adjustment for the driver's seat.
Safety features include front airbags, inertia reel seatbelts, progressive front and rear crumple zones, side impact protection beams in the doors and ABS brakes.
It has a 40-litre fuel tank, but at a frugal 7.2-litres/100 kilometres this should be quite ample for day outings in the bush or for a long stretch of Karoo tar.
The cabin lay-out is neat, simple and much more appealing than many other vehicles in its price range.
To add to is appeal the Jimny's price includes a three-year/100,000km warranty, a four-year/60,000km service plan, a three-year AA roadside assistance package, an installed Netstar Early Warning tracking system and a free 4x4 driver training package.
The Jimny went on sale though the local 19-dealer network from the first week in September.
Footnote: At the same time as the Jimny, Suzuki SA also introduced the a three-model Grand Vitara range with the choices of a 2.4-litre manual at R269,900 or auto at R282,900, plus a flagship 3.2-litre at R323,900.More by Henrie Geyser
More...ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Henrie Geyser has worked as a journalist in Cape Town, London and Windhoek for the Argus Company (now Independent Newspapers) and spent 12 years at The Cape Argus in Cape Town. He then owned and ran a public relations consultancy for 13 years. He joined the online publishing industry through iafrica.com, where he worked for five years as News Editor and Editor. He now freelances for a variety of print and online publications, on the subjects of cars, food and travel, among others; and is a member of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists.
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