Suzuki Jimny-based Next-gen Maruti Gypsy Could Become Cheapest 4x4 In India

by Kshitij Rawat | 19/02/2020
Share this post:
In a move that would excite both the average Indian consumers and automobile enthusiasts, Maruti could bring the Suzuki Jimny to India as the next-gen Maruti Gypsy.

Followers of IndianAuto would already know that the Suzuki Jimny was present at Maruti’s stall at the Auto Expo 2020. The car is expected to come to India in the near future as the next-gen Maruti Gypsy.

Suzuki Jimny/Maruti Gypsy at Auto Expo 2020

With its off-road-ready stance and extremely compact dimensions, the car would be a peach to manoeuvre on the tarmac as well as on gravel. As per our assessment, the public response to the vehicle was quite positive, which means the chances of the new Gypsy being launched in India are quite high. Also, given the lack of thoroughbred mini-SUVs and the company's strategy of pricing its models ultra-competitively, the Jimny looks likely to become the most affordable off-roader in the country. 

Also Read: Maruti Ignis Covered in Cow Dung Wins a Competition

Powering the Suzuki Jimny is a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine. It can produce a maximum power of 102 PS and a peak torque of 130 Nm. The same engine is available under the hood of the Vitara Brezza facelift, S-Cross petrol, and Ciaz in a slighlty different state of tune. There are two transmission options available here, a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic. To enable the car have a huge off-road prowess, Suzuki offers the Jimny with All-Grip part-time-4-Wheel-Drive system. Another unique feature about the car is its three-door body-style, which serves more as a highlight to its compact dimensions than a styling feature.

Suzuki Jimny is Maruti Gypsy

The India-spec version will be different from the JDM Jimny

As for the India-spec version, aka new Maruti Gypsy, we expect a few major differences. It is likely that the new Gypsy would be larger than the Jimny, and be a five-door vehicle instead of a three-door one. Fans of the original Gypsy would argue that the older model was offered as a three-door car in the Indian market. Well, the reason is simple; a five-door conventional SUV would have mass-market appeal, as opposed to a super-specialised vehicle that caters only to a specific audience. Also, when the Gypsy was launched back in 1985, Maruti Suzuki India Limited did not have sufficient resources or man-power to significantly rework an existing chassis. That’s not the case anymore.

Also Read: Maruti Vitara Brezza To Face A Honda Rival by 2021

Other than that, we expect the car to be offered with a 2WD system instead of a 4WD. This, once again, is to add mass-market appeal, favouring fuel economy in place of off-road capability. That said, the popularity of the original Gypsy in the Defence sector and among the enthusiasts is likely to compel the manufacturer to bring in a 4WD model, at least as an option. This would help keep everybody happy.

Also Read: Next-gen Hyundai Elite i20 to Offer less mileage than Maruti Baleno?

The original Maruti Gypsy was based on an older generation of the long-wheelbase Jimny, also known as Suzuki Samurai in some markets. In India, the vehicle was extremely popular and its demise has letf quite a void. 

Tracking icon
Would you like to receive notifications with latest news and car deals from IndianAuto?