Maruti Likely to Replace Gypsy With Jimny SUV in India: Report

Maruti Suzuki may bring in a longer version of the Jimny, specifically tailored for the Indian market.

The Suzuki Jimny won the 2019 World Urban Car of the Year.

(Photo: WCOTY) 

A Japanese media report says that Suzuki is finally bringing its iconic mini-SUV, the Jimny, to India. This will be the first time that Suzuki will be manufacturing an SUV in India after 35 years, ever since it introduced the Gypsy. The car, according to reports, will replace one of India's favourite four-wheel drive off-roaders, the Gypsy. It is, however, said that the Jimny might be re-branded as the next Gypsy as well.

Maruti Suzuki in India has constantly denied that it is bringing the Jimny to the market. Since the past few years, the Jimny has stoked interest in India as well, given its proper SUV-like traits, in a compact package. However, it is most likely that India will not get the same car that most of the global markets get.

It has been speculated for long that the Indian version of the Jimny will be a bigger version, probably a longer five-door, based on the same platform and will share the powertrain, transmission and components with the global Jimny Sierra.

Reports suggest that the Jimny (or next Gypsy) will be sold via Maruti Suzuki's Nexa channel, for its premium vehicles.

A NDTV Car&Bike report speculates that the car will be a 5-door vehicle with a longer length than the Jimny Sierra's 3,645 mm, but will still remain under 4-metres long in order for it to get small car tax benefits.

However, the report also speculates that the new Jimny/Gypsy will use a 1.5 litre K15B petrol engine, used in cars like the Ciaz and the Ertiga. If that’s the case, it negates the tax advantage. A 5-speed manual will be the standard transmission option along with manual four-wheel drive, while a 4-speed torque convertor automatic might be offered on a few top-end variants.