New Jimny on the way

Cheap, cheerful, chunky and looking like a baby Merc G-Wagen, the all new Suzuki

Jimny will be coming to the UK next year.

The outgoing model has been around for 20 years, so it was high time that the Japanese company came-up with a new take on a formula thathasbroughtit2.85million sales worldwide since the first Jimny appeared in 1970.

Originally designed for Japan’s tax-friendly minicar market,itwastheoneandonly four wheel drive model in its segment when it made its debut–anditwasastonishingly capable off road.

Details of the new, 2019 version of the Jimny are scant atthemomentbutwedoknow that it will have a ladder frame, three-link, rigid axle suspensionandpart-timefour wheel drive.

The design is distinctly retro andsquaredoffontheoutside with slab sides and bulging wheelarchextensions,butthe cockpit looks bang up-to-the-minute.

Ford’s smallest SUV failed to impress when it arrived four years ago with poor build quality and too many quirks.

A number of improvements over the past couple of years made it look and drive better but it was still outclassed by most of its rivals.

Now the EcoSport is about to try and grab a bigger share of the lucrative market with a heavily updated version which is now built in Europe and engineered better to our tastes and roads.

With new sharper sportier looks that are more akin to the rest of the Ford range the EcoSport has also been given a brand new interior which is heavily based on the one in the new Fiesta.

In addition there is more tech, customisation choices and even a couple of new versions.

All-wheel-drive is now available and you can also get