autoevolution
 

2018 Suzuki Jimny Is Crucial To The Automaker’s European Sales Target

Last year, Suzuki managed to move 245,000 vehicles in the Old Continent, representing a market share of 1.2 percent. The Japanese automaker looks to the future, though, especially thanks to the 20 percent increase in sales attributed the current fiscal year. To support its sales target of 300,000 vehicles in Europe (1.5 percent market share), the automaker’s hope rides on the Jimny.
2018 Suzuki Jimny rendering 18 photos
Photo: Indian Autos Blog
2018 Suzuki Jimny rendering2018 Suzuki Jimny rendering2018 Suzuki Jimny rendering2018 Suzuki Jimny rendering2018 Suzuki Jimny renderingNew Suzuki Jimny spiedNew Suzuki Jimny spiedNew Suzuki Jimny spiedNew Suzuki Jimny spiedNew Suzuki Jimny spiedNew Suzuki Jimny spiedNew Suzuki Jimny spiedNew Suzuki Jimny spiedNew Suzuki Jimny spiedNew Suzuki Jimny spiedNew Suzuki Jimny spiedNew Suzuki Jimny spied
Not the old one, which is largely unchanged since it went official in 1998, but the all-new generation of the small off-road utility vehicle. Spied and rendered time and time again, the newcomer will be revealed on October 25 at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, sporting squared-off panels and lots of ground clearance.

Speaking to Autocar, Suzuki of Europe’s head honcho let it slip that the 2018 Suzuki Jimny “had to have [the] uniqueness that appeals to the market.” Takanori Suzuki couldn’t be more right, with the Jimny coming in the form of a versatile off-road vehicle of the body-on-frame variety. Takanori also made it clear that the automaker doesn’t plan on offering a longer car than the S-Cross.

On a different note, the European director suggested that Suzuki is currently investigating the pros and cons of going fully electric. The most eco-friendly powertrain currently produced by the Minami-ku, Hamamatsu-based company is the SHVS. Standing for Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki, the powertrain revolves around an integrated starter generator powered by a small-ish battery.

On the subject of SHVS, the 2018 Suzuki Jimny could be offered with the mild-hybrid powertrain to appease both the legislators and the consumer body. For what it’s worth, Suzuki can shoehorn anything from a 0.66-liter three-cylinder turbo to a 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbo in the engine bay of the mini-SUV.

In the case of the Ignis, the SHVS 4WD specification offers 89 hp (90 PS) at 6,000 rpm and 88 pound-feet (120 Nm) of torque at 4,400 rpm. For customers who need more grunt, the 1.6 DDiS turbo diesel also found in the S-Cross holds great potential.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories