Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Could Suzuki’s April fool’s Jimny bakkie happen?
APRIL Fool’s Day jokes are usually designed to catch people out with unusual or bizarre-sounding news that’s only just plausible enough to believe.
Suzuki South Africa’s April 1 prank was more than just plausible – fans have been crying out for something like this for quite some time.
“Hold onto your seats #SuzukiSA fam, because the all-new Suzuki Jimny Bakkie is finally here! You’ve been asking and we listened! With its compact size and rugged versatility, this little bakkie packs a punch.”
Social media users cottoned on to the joke, but there was a clear desire for such a bakkie to exist in the real world.
“This is just cruel,” said Facebook user Brenwin Naidu. “Almost got me excited,” quipped JimnyWorX 4x4 Fitment Centre. “It’s a shame that it’s
just an April Fool’s joke, I would have bought one,” said Mark Cotton.
Some respondents believe it will actually come to market at some point. “A wise man once said: ‘A lot of truth
is said in jest.’ So, I say let’s watch this space,” said Felix Sebata.
Suzuki actually did show off a Jimny bakkie concept vehicle at the Tokyo Auto Salon in 2018, although it was based on the short-wheelbase three-door model. Suzuki SA’s April 1 rendition is based on the recently introduced 5-door Jimny with a longer wheelbase, which makes more sense.
Rumours of a Jimny bakkie resurfaced in 2019 when the brand’s Australian general manager Michael Pachota told local media that the division was pushing head office for a Jimny “Ute”.
It’s safe to assume the Aussie boss didn’t get his way. Or has Suzuki been waiting for a long-wheelbase Jimny to form the basis of the new bakkie? After all, the 5-door Jimny is a good 350mm longer than the 3-door version, and that would surely make for a more generous load-carrying capacity that would befit a half-tonne bakkie.
Although there is no official word on whether Suzuki is considering a Jimny pick-up, the idea is surely more plausible than ever.