Finding joy in a Jimny
JEAN-BAPTISTE ROUSSEL IS COMMERCIAL MANAGER AT DESIGN WAREHOUSE IN PARNELL
You’re driving a 2019 Suzuki Jimny Sierra?
We got our Suzuki Jimmy from Winger Greenlane in February last year. It is beige, 1.5 litres and fourspeed auto and comes with all the features. We would have loved a sunroof but it was not an option. It has 15in alloy wheels and is 2WD, that you can put in 4WD for offroading. Apple CarPlay, that is good, and the six airbags and emergency braking. We did get a complimentary reversing camera. That is handy for parking because the Jimny carries the spare wheel and doesn’t have a parking sensor.
Why did you choose this vehicle?
We arrived in New Zealand two years ago and we got a Toyota Highlander which is a big car and good when we have family visiting. But we work in the city and we wanted a more nimble car. I saw a Jimny that was 20 years old so we emailed asking when a new model would be coming to New Zealand. When we didn’t hear back, we decided to buy a Suzuki Swift instead. And when we went to Suzuki all the new Jimnys had arrived. We took it for a test drive and bought it on the spot. In Europe, we used to have a Smart car and find the Suzuki also compact, nimble, easy to drive — and being high up you can see around. It is kind of a retro look with modern features.
Is it your daily drive?
We only do 4km every day from Ponsonby to the CBD. It is our everyday drive but we still have the Highlander for longer trips, especially when we have cargo as the trunk is tiny on the Jimny. We have taken the Jimny to Taupo and the Waitomo caves and even on the open roads it is enjoyable.
If you were to describe it as someone famous?
Mickey Mouse or someone like that. It is fun and, yes, a tiny car.
What do you always carry in your Jimny?
It comes with CarPlay and so we always have a USB cable for charging and can project the phone on the main screen. I also have a bike rack because I commute as well with my bike. We come into the CBD together in the Jimny and then I take my bike to work. I keep a rope in case I need to use it. But since the car is reliable so I don’t really need it. And, of course, a blanket.
How many cars have you had?
We had the Smart which
unfortunately burnt in a parking lot. Then we had a Mini Cooper and a Volvo XC 60. After moving to New Zealand, we’ve had the Highlander and the Jimny. The best was the Smart car. That put a smile on my face and I find the same joy in the Jimny.
How do you describe your driving style?
I don’t know if this makes sense but I would say European. I love it how the people here are so nice, polite . . . but I feel myself sometimes wanting to change lanes too frequently. People here wait to cross an intersection. We used to live in Paris and you don’t want to be stuck on the intersection there. People honk or scream at you if you don’t move on green. But I am a father so my driving style is relaxed.
Your dream car?
A Cobra 289 Mark 2 FIA. That’s a vintage car and the kind of car we won’t have any more because of safety and environmental regulations. It’s noisy. It has an American V8 engine. Its design is timeless — curvy and beautiful and a good collectible car.
Favourite movie?
I love the cartoon Cars. It’s a great movie to watch with my son. On the adult side Le Mans with Steve McQueen. And I’m looking forward to seeing Ford v Ferrari.