The highlight of Suzuki Philippines, Inc. (SPH) so far is the launching of the new Ertiga with a hybrid powertrain. But during the event, the company also touched on the possibility of bringing the 5-door Suzuki Jimny to our shores.
5-door Suzuki Jimny
In case you missed it, Maruti Suzuki, the Japanese automaker’s arm in India, debuted the new Jimny 5-door a few days ago. Now that the wheelbase-extended mini off-roader is listed as an official model in the brand's lineup, it would be interesting to find out the markets the model is intended for.
Well, one of which could be the Philippine market. The plan of bringing the 5-door Jimny was discussed or mentioned by an SPH executive during the Ertiga Hybrid’s local launch. The executive added that the 5-door Jimny could take some time before it arrives in the country. The company did not give any timeline as to when we can expect the 5-door Jimny to arrive in the Philippines. But, SPH did confirm that it is planning to bring in the said vehicle. While waiting, here are the things you can expect from the said vehicle.
As compared to the standard Jimny, the 5-door version is 335mm longer. The design is pretty much unchanged, with the body still sporting that iconic boxy finish. At the front, the round headlamps and five-slotted grille can still be found on the new Jimny.
Interior of the new Jimny
Inside, a familiar layout also welcomes passengers. It still comes with the same rugged-looking cabin that inspires the adventure of off-roading. But thanks to the increased length, the 5-door model expanded its cargo space from 208 liters to 332 liters.
Like the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid, the new Jimny also gets assistance from an electric motor for its 1.5-liter K15B engine. It can be paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The brand's AllGrip Pro 4WD system is also part of the powertrain, offering improved off-road capabilities.
The price of the 5-door Suzuki Jimny is slated to be revealed in May 2023 in India. Considering the upgrades, the wheelbase-extended Jimny should be more expensive than the current PH-spec 3-door Jimny that starts at Php 1,258,000 if it joins the Philippine lineup. As of this writing, Australia has been confirmed to get the 5-door version by Q4 2023.
It is longer and greener
Do you think that SPH should bring the Jimny 5-door here?
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