In India, the Jimny is expected to displace the Gypsy. How does it compare to the old workhorse, then? Let’s investigate.
The fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny was just released in Japan, and we anticipate the SUV to arrive in India in 2019. While the automaker has not confirmed the same, Suzuki’s statement that the upgraded SUV will be sold “throughout the world” keeps us encouraged.
So let’s compare the fourth-generation SUV (Jimny) with its predecessor, the second-generation Jimny, which has been sold in India since 1985 and is going to be phased out due to impending mandated crash test regulations in India, while we wait for Maruti Suzuki to bring the Jimny here.
Features
In India, the Gypsy was first introduced more than 30 years ago. Since then, the SUV’s feature set has not undergone any significant updates. It really ranks among the least-equipped vehicles in the nation. Even essential amenities like front airbags, ABS, power steering, and manual air conditioning are absent from the Gypsy.
On the other hand, the Jimny comes with a tonne of security and comfort features. Six airbags (dual front, curtain, and front side), ABS with EBD and brake assist, ESP and TC (traction control), autonomous emergency braking, and lane departure warning are included in the fourth-generation SUV. Push-button start, automatic climate control, LED headlights with LED DRLs, and a 7-inch SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay are other features available.
Along with safety and comfort features, the Jimny has recirculating ball-type power steering, hill launch assist, hill descent control, brake LSD (limited-slip differential), shift-on-the-fly part-time 4WD (four-wheel-drive), and low range transfer gearbox (all of which are thought to be better than rack-and-pinion for off-road use). It should be more capable than the Gypsy with all these improvements.
Dimensions
Ladder-frame-style chassis support both the Gypsy and the Jimny. Nonetheless, the Jimny is 105mm broader, 365mm shorter, and 150mm lower than the Gypsy. The wheelbase of the Jimny is 125mm smaller than that of the Gypsy. The Jimny should theoretically have greater off-road capability than the Gypsy because to its shorter but larger footprint.
The Jimny is less spacious than the Gypsy in terms of seating capacity. The Gypsy can be ordered with rear side benches to convert it to an eight-seater because it is longer. Only four people can fit in a Jimny. Bench seats, on the other hand, lack seatbelts and are generally unpleasant.
Engine
- The Jimny provides an automatic transmission option as well, whereas the Gypsy is only available with a manual transmission.
- The new K15B 1.5-liter petrol engine, which will debut in India with the 2018 Ciaz makeover, powers the Jimny. On the other hand, the G13BB 1.3-liter petrol engine that powers the Gypsy is substantially older.
- The Jimny’s engine outperforms the Gypsy’s in terms of both power and torque. When it is off the road, that ought to be useful.
- Compared to the Gypsy, which has a power to weight ratio of 77.1 PS/tonne, Jimny has a greater ratio of 89.87 PS/tonne.
- Both of the SUVs have a low range transfer box and part-time 4WD.
Prices
Prices range from Rs. 6.25 lakh to Rs. 6.39 lakh for the Gypsy (ex-showroom Delhi). The Jimny, on the other hand, is anticipated to cost roughly Rs 8 lakh and is likely to command a premium over the Gypsy. It might be a Nexa product and is anticipated to be released in India in 2019.