Suzuki Jimny Third generation

From 1998
Overview
Also called	Suzuki Jimny Wide Suzuki Jimny Sierra Chevrolet Jimny Mazda AZ-Offroad
Production	January 1998–present
Assembly	Iwata, Japan Bogotá, Colombia (GM Colombia) Linares, Spain (Santana Motor)
Body and chassis
Class	Mini SUV
Body style	2-door SUV 2-door convertible
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	658 cc K6A I3 (JB23) 1,298 cc G13BB I4 (JB33) 1,328 cc M13A I4 (JB43) 1,461 cc K9K TD I4 (JB53)
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,250 mm (89 in)
Length	3,295–3,645 mm (129.7–143.5 in)
Width	1,395–1,600 mm (54.9–63 in)
Height	1,655–1,715 mm (65.2–67.5 in)

At the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki presented the all-new Jimny with a much more modern design.A ladder type chassis and a dual ratio transfer case was retained, unlike many competing compact 4WDs which lack a low range, and are strictly in the crossover category. Two bodystyles are available in export markets: a standard hard top and the Canvas Top, introduced at the Barcelona Motor Show in May 1999 and was built only by Santana in Spain between 1999 and 2009. The Jimny replaced the popular Sierra/Samurai model in most markets (European introduction was in Paris, 1998), though its predecessor remains in limited production in some places. For the domestic market, a 660 cc K6A-engined version suited for the Kei Jidosha class answers for most Jimny sales.

The larger 1.3-litre Jimny was originally equipped with the G13BB engine also used in the JB32.

The 80 hp (60 kW) G13BB engine was replaced in Japan with the January 2000 introduction of the newly designed VVT 16-valve M-engine, but soldiered on in Spanish-built softtops until 2005. For the diesel loving continental European market, in 2004 the turbodiesel Jimny JB53 was introduced, built by Santana and using a Renault-built DDiS 1,461 cc K9K engine. Power was originally 65 hp (48 kW) but was increased to 86 hp (64 kW) in 2005, the same as in gasoline versions. It was discontinued in 2011, and was never available in Britain and Ireland.

Jimny features a part time 4WD system. On its dashboard, there are three buttons - 2WD, 4WD and 4WD-L. The 2WD is default when it runs as RWD. When 4WD is pressed, the front wheels are also engaged as drive with high gears. The 4WD-L engages front wheels as well as low ratio gears. Being a part time 4WD, there is no center differential or viscous coupling. The Jimny should not be driven on normal road surface in 4WD mode. In Japan the "Sierra" name was revived in January 2002, when 1.3 liter Jimnys began to be sold as the "Jimny Sierra" rather than as the "Jimny Wide".

The Jimny's vacuum-locking hubs allow the vehicle to be shifted from 2WD to 4WD while travelling at up to 100 km/h (62 mph). Shifting to low range requires the vehicle to be stopped, but there is no need to exit the vehicle. Newer Jimnys feature electronic push-button selectable four-wheel drive, which requires the vehicle to be stopped with the clutch depressed and transmission in neutral to select low range.

The Jimny features large windows, giving excellent visibility, apart from a rather serious blind spot caused by the oversized "B" pillar. The large amount of glass also creates a greenhouse effect, and the Jimny comes with air conditioning as a standard feature in some regions.

In Europe, both Hard Top and Canvas Top versions come in JX and JLX specifications. These are fairly standard designations across the Suzuki off road range, with the JLX being the fully optioned "luxury" version. In the case of the Jimny, the JLX adds roof rails, power steering, power windows, power adjustable exterior mirrors, and several interior comfort improvements. Both models are available with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox. There is also a 2WD option, only available as a 5-speed manual.

In 2009 Santana Motor of Spain ended its agreement with Suzuki to make the Canvas Top version, which has not been available since then. In 2011 Santana Motor went bankrupt. The Souza Ramos Group of Brazil, who used to make Mitsubishi cars under license, will start manufacturing the Suzuki Jimny in 2012 in Brazil to compensate for the lost of production capacity from Santana Motor. It is not known yet if the Canvas Top version will be manufactured also in Brazil.

As in Japan, Jimnys in Australia have borne the name Jimny Sierra since 2007, largely due to the Sierra name having become synonymous with small, capable off-road vehicles. Since 1999, GM Colmotores have been assembling the 1.3-litre, 79 hp (59 kW) JB33 with the name "Chevrolet Jimny" in Bogotá, Colombia. The Jimny is also available as a grey-import in Singapore