JIMNY CRICKET! SUZUKI STAR STOOD

By DEREK OGDEN

Picking up the new Jimny press car, I asked the Suzuki man when a prospective buyer would be able to take delivery of the test car variant, a GLX three-door automatic. “Try next year,” he replied.

It gets worse. Suzuki Australia says unprecedented demand and the global computer chip issue, have stalled the MY23 Jimny three-door automatic until production catches up. Customers with an order already inked, can keep waiting or switch to the bigger fvedoor, due Down Under later this year. The three-door Lite manual is still available to order.

So, here I am talking about a new car the wheels have already fallen off, so to speak. The Jimny should have six variants, from the Jimny Lite manual, at $30,490, plus on-road costs, through to the Jimny GLX auto (Qld), $33,490. (NB: the latter, like all Suzukis, is distributed in Queensland separate from those in the rest of Australia).

Like all present-day Suzuki cars, the Jimny is covered by a fve-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and fveyear capped-price service scheme, the latter at 12 months or 10,000-kilometre intervals.

STYLING

There’s a nod to Jimny’s heritage with hallmark round headlamps, while instruments and controls all within easy access and designed to enable he or she to focus on maintaining control with quick and easy operation.

Instruments are designed to be easily legible in bright sunlight or shadow, being lit at all times. A touch of luxury is added with a leather dressed steering wheel, which again benefts the driver with vertical adjustment up to 35 mm.

Access to the rear seats is not so accommodating, with only two doors up front, although the front seats slide for easy operation. Space is at a premium, with room only for a couple of compact occupants in anything approaching comfort.

Boot volume is 85 litres with the rear seats set up. The two 50:50 rear seat backs, headrests removed, can be folded fat leaving 377 litres for cargo.

Infotainment

Instrumentation is basic, with a 9-inch system allowing access to an AM / FM tuner, Bluetooth, USB audio and reverse camera. Satellite navigation is left to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto phone connectivity.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

The new 1.5-litre engine, mated with its four-speed automatic transmission, stumps up more power and torque than the motor it replaces, while maintaining fuel effciency. The stronger torque levels are with plenty on tap low down, handy for serious off-road situations. Towing is rated at 1300 kg with braked trailer.

Safety

The Jimny carries only a three-star ANCAP rating. However, some advanced features do earn special mention. These include dual sensor brake support, in which a camera and laser sensor, attached to the windscreen, provide visual and audio alerts to the driver, warning of risks of collision as well as an emergency braking function.

Total effective control technology consists of a body structured to absorb and disperse the force of impact in the event of a collision, while an electronic stability program monitors wheels, which when detected automatically adjusts engine torque and applies braking force to limit wheel slippage and assist the driver to stay in control of steering.

Driving

The new 1.5-litre engine with its refned four-speed auto gearbox, featuring linear shift selection, is claimed to have combined fuel economy of 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres.

The Jimny GLX auto on test recorded 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres around town and 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the motorway.

Like any short wheel-base vehicle, the Jimny, with its off-road suspension setting, tended to produce a choppy ride on even the most unblemished on-road bitumen and concrete. It’s not a smooth cruiser.

Off road is all about keeping in touch with the terrain, which in this case a sturdy ball-screw steering system provides ample feedback with minimum chance of kickback.

If any wheel loses grip the limitedslip differential traction control automatically applies braking to the culprit, torque being shifted to the other side, enabling the vehicle to regain traction.

Harking back to the cargo carrying capability, the test car came with an added accessory of a wire mesh divider which bolted on between the front and second-row seats, converting the vehicle into a van, alternatively maybe acting as a kennel on wheels for Fido. Sadly, the wire wall was heavy and awkward to ft via the side doors – a two-handed job, really.

SUMMARY

Over the years, the mini-SUV has become something of a cult fgure with its retro looks, while claiming to be a genuine 4x4. Followers need not fret, there’s plenty here to carry on the Jimny tradition. If only there was one