New Jimny here next year
The new, fourth generation Suzuki Jimny four-wheel-drive which has just been unveiled in Japan will go on sale in New Zealand early in 2019.
Officially launched on July 05, the highly anticipated Jimny has already attracted considerable interest with its retro design and retained separate chassis that stays true to the model’s long time off-road heritage.
As one of the longest running models on the New Zealand market, the current series Jimny was first introduced here in 1999. Year-to-date local sales are up 3.5 percent on the same period in 2017 and despite the pending arrival of the all-new model the current one is selling at record levels, according to Gary Collins, General Manager of Automobile Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand Ltd.
“We are delighted Suzuki has kept so many of the useful features of the current Jimny while updating the specification, incorporating a fresh and evolutionary body design, a new three-link rigid axle suspension and a completely revised interior,” he said.
Suzuki has sold more than 2.85 million Jimnys in 194 countries since the first model appeared in 1970. Generation two arrived in 1981 and the third generation broke cover in 1998. Such has been the car’s evergreen qualities that the current ( coilsprung) version has remained in production for two decades.
A long-time favourite as one of the least expensive fourwheel-drive vehicles available in New Zealand, the upcoming model will still feature low range transfer gearing that helps make it such a great vehicle off road.
The 1999 model has been so successful that few changes were necessitated during a lengthy production life. In 2005 new engine and transmission refinements, greater convenience and a fresh interior injected new life into the lifestyle vehicle.
“Dealers were swamped with orders when we launched the current Jimny in April 1999 and the replacement model next year is likely to result in similar strong demand,” said Collins.
Local pricing and full specification details of the new Jimny will be available closer to the launch date.