C V Raman, Senior Executive Director of Engineering at Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), shed some light on the highly anticipated Maruti Jimny. He said that the three-door version of Jimny “doesn’t work on the market” and he doesn’t see any point in bringing it as a CBU (Completely Built Up) or a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) route, as both will drive up the cost factor.
He also clarified that the location demanded large volumes, but wondered whether or not people would be able to buy a 1.5-litre Maruti Jimny with only three doors. Raman wants a full review from a business perspective, given the three-door Jimny exhibited at the 2020 Auto Expo, which received a lot of attention from show-goers and media, which does not necessarily mean market success.
While previously dismissing the possibility of a five-door Maruti Jimny specially designed for India, he did not respond to a similar question this time around in a recent interview. Speculations surrounding the debut of the Indian-spec Maruti Suzuki Jimny have been there for a long time and could act as a substitute for the Gypsy as a pint-sized off-roader or a more premium alternative.
The fourth generation of Suzuki Jimny has been a well-received model in the international markets as demand soars in Japan and Europe. In order to satisfy the customer’s demand, the production of Jimny is said to have started in India, first for export, and the current difficult social and economic circumstances may have postponed it a little. The Indian-spec Maruti Jimny seems to have been codenamed YWD.
This is more likely to be launched in the first-half of 2021 and will have an exterior matching its global sibling. It could be sold exclusively to Nexa premium dealers competing with the next generation Mahindra Thar bound for later this year and the thoroughly overhauled Force Gurkha. As for the powertrain, the familiar 1.5-litre K15B four-cylinder petrol engine could be used by BSVI compliance.
The 1.5L Petrol powertrain can also be found under the cap of Ciaz, Ertiga, XL6, Vitara Brezza and soon S-Cross. It is strong enough to achieve a maximum output of 104.7 PS and 138 Nm of peak torque. This boasts a mild-hybrid system for assisting the recovered energy for improved performance and better acceleration. It is likely to be paired with a five-speed MT or a four-speed AT with a Maruti Jimny five-door 4WD system.
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Also see: Rendered – Maruti Suzuki Jimny/Gypsy Compact SUV
News Source: AutoX.com
Image Source: Kolesa.ru
