Maruti Suzuki Jimny likely to be made in India, launch in 2017
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.