Suzuki Jimny (New Maruti Gypsy) Offers Weak Driver Protection, Only 3-star Safety Rating

by Kshitij Rawat | 02/04/2020
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According to EuroNCAP and ANCAP crash test safety assessments, Suzuki Jimny offers weak protection to its occupants.

With confirmation that Maruti will be manufacturing the Jimny in India, auto enthusiasts all over the country are rejoicing! The Jimny thus manufactured will be exported to Suzuki’s international markets as well as sold in India (probably as the next-generation Maruti Gypsy). If you’re eagerly waiting to buy one as soon as it launches, well, there’s something you should know, and it’s not a really good news.

Suzuki Jimny crash test safety rating

Suzuki Jimny crash test assessment by EuroNCAP

Suzuki Jimny scores a 3-star safety rating in EuroNCAP safety tests. The report, published in 2018, states that in frontal collision tests, the car offers good protection to child occupants (seated in the back seats), adequate protection to the front passenger, but poor protection to the driver. Even when front airbags are deployed, the insufficient air pressure in them causes the driver to be hit by the steering wheel on the head. In another test, the body shell had collapsed unstably, posing risk to the driver’s chest area. The lack of state-of-the-art safety assists and equipment further hampers the score. The car complete safety rating is as follows.

Suzuki Jimny Safety Rating (Euro NCAP)

Parameter

Safety Score

Adult Occupant

73%

Child Occupant

84%

Vulnerable Road Users

52%

Safety Assist

50%

Total Rating

3 stars

The ANCAP safety rating of the Jimny has identical scores, thus resulting in a similar safety rating of 3-star.

Also Read: Suzuki Jimny To Be Discontinued in UK in 2021 As India Awaits Its Launch

The current manufacturing of the Suzuki Jimny is limited to Japan, in Suzuki’s factory at Kosai City, Shizuka Prefecture. The sales, however, happen all across the globe, and it is easy for Suzuki to be overwhelmed with heavy demand for the tiny SUV. Even though the car lacks modern amenities, purists and off-road enthusiasts prefer it this way. The car is extremely light, barely 1050 kg, and is powered by tiny engine(s) which provide adequate power and brilliant fuel economy.

Suzuki Jimny to be launched in India as Maruti Gypsy

Suzuki Jimny to be launched in India as Maruti Gypsy

The global version of the Jimny, also known as Jimny Sierra, is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol motor, capable of generating 102 PS and 130 Nm of peak power and torque, respectively. It comes paired to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed torque-convertor automatic. Power is sent to all four wheels via Suzuki’s AllGrip four-wheel-drive system. The JDM-spec Jimny is offered with an even smaller engine, 0.66-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol motor, in compliance with the Kei-car regulations.

Also Read: Maruti To Boycott Global NCAP After Poor Safety Ratings of Baleno, Swift and WagonR

With a new manufacturing facility setup in Maruti’s Gujarat plant, the Jimny will surely carry a lucrative price tag in India. To increase its mass-market appeal, the India-spec Jimny will be a five-door car, rather than the three-door version sold internationally.

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