Autoblog

Suzuki Samurai lives on with new Jimny facelift

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, SUV, Suzuki, UK

The Suzuki Jimny is "sold across 188 global markets," but one of them isn't ours. For UK buyers who can buy a Jimny in SZ3 or SZ4 trims, the 2013 model has just been introduced with tweaks peppered throughout the vehicle. First among them is a soft redesign up front, a new bumper, grille and hood updating the face and adding an extra 30 mm to the length of the little SUV. Breeze Blue metallic paint is a new hue but it's only available on the more expensive SZ4.

Inside, customers will find new headrests and ISOFIX child seat fasteners for both Jimny versions, and for the SZ3, new seat fabrics. The 1.3-liter engine with variable valve timing growls out 84 horsepower and 81 pound-feet of torque, returning 39.8 Imperial combined mpg if fitted with a manual, 38.7 Imperial mpg combined in the automatic.

On-the-road prices are £11,995 ($19,016 US) for the SZ3, £12,900 ($20,451 US) for the manual-equipped SZ4, £13,800 ($21,877 US) with the automatic. More information can be found in the press release below.

Continue reading Suzuki Samurai lives on with new Jimny facelift

Suzuki Samurai lives on with new Jimny facelift originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki readying next-gen Jimny/Samurai?

Zach Bowman — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, SUV, Japan, Suzuki, India

Suzuki has dropped a few teasers of a new concept vehicle headed to this year's Delhi Auto Expo, and the sneaky shots may hint at a successor to the well-worn Jimny/Samurai throne. Right now, the automaker doesn't have a known replacement lined up for the pint-sized SUV.

The Samurai may have exited North America long ago, but its direct descendant, the Jimny, is still very much alive elsewhere. In fact, it has cultivated a decades-old reputation for being a tough-as-nails bruiser that's as reliable as it is capable. We think Suzuki would do well to keep the model in its portfolio in the future, and now, new reports suggest the company could lift parts from the Swift drivetrain to build a low-cost Jimny successor.

Even so, assuming the teasers indicate a concept vehicle, it would likely be some time before we saw a production model frolicking about in the light of day. Early estimates would put a next-generation Samurai on stage at the Delhi Auto Expo in two years or so. Does that mean the U.S. will see the Samurai name return to its soil? With Suzuki's floundering presence here in the states, that seems unlikely, but we would welcome a capable, low-dollar off roader to our shores any day. Head over to the Maruti Suzuki page for a closer look.

Suzuki readying next-gen Jimny/Samurai? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki considering (another) small pickup for U.S.

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Suzuki

The compact pickup market in the U.S. has been languishing for more than a decade, but that doesn't mean that a fuel-efficient truck with a small footprint doesn't have a place in the States. Suzuki has been watching the market closely and thinks that it could make a case for bringing a pint-sized pickup to North America.

When asked what could be coming down the pipeline in the next few years, a senior exec at Suzuki told Autoblog that the automaker could import a compact truck to the U.S. based on the next generation Suzuki Jimny. The Jimny - also known as the Samurai in the States - has continued to chug along outside of North America, and with the next iteration due to arrive in three years' time, Suzuki could bring the body-on-frame SUV to the U.S. with a truck bed.

But the problem with compact pickups is cost. The Ford Ranger might make a compelling case for itself, but when it's only a few grand less than a larger, more practical full-sizer, buyers tend to go big and go home with an F-150.

So to bring a pickup to the States, Suzuki would have to not only have get the pricing right, but nail both fuel economy and equipment - all while turning a profit in the process. Let's hope that if they pull the trigger, they decide to have some fun with it and make it look like the X-Head concept shown above. After all, the Nissan Frontier-based Equator pickup has been on the market since 2009, and it hasn't exactly made a splash.

Suzuki considering (another) small pickup for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jimny Cricket! Dutton's amphibious Commander S2

Chris Paukert — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, SUV, Etc., Suzuki

At some point during our formative years, we were afforded the chance to take a ride in a mid-1960's Amphicar, the German automotive equivalent of a platypus-- neither fish nor fowl. The little cruiser was in truth never made for a particularly good car or boat, but that didn't stop nearly 4,000 of the tailfinned buggers from finding homes... it certainly didn't keep owners from having a ball in theirs, if a little slowly.

More recently, the Miata-aping Gibbs Aquada has made waves as a better car/boat compromise, but at an absurdly high price. For those looking for something in an under triple-digit amphibious car, UK firm Dutton has quietly been making examples for more than a decade, most of them based on the ancient Suzuki Samurai.

But now Dutton has gone and upgraded, creating their new Commander S2 out of Jimny bits, including its 1.3-liter four-cylinder, a modified transfer case, and dashboard, among other things. Of course, all of the little offroader's parts have been lashed to GRP hull in order to facilitate water landings. Interestingly, the firm maintains that none of the 'Zuki's off-road prowess has been sacrificed (and those buggers have always been able to climb deceptively well). Given its exceedingly modest top nautical clip of 6 mph, it could easily be argued that Dutton's latest remains more accomplished on land than on water.

Still, it's hard not to be fascinated or amused by these types of propositions, even when they aren't terribly well resolved or are prohibitively expensive. About that: the Commander S2 starts at just under £30k (roughly $56,000 USD), and for that, owners get a basic model without any protection from the elements. Fortunately, an excellent SMG rating (smiles-per-gallon) come standard.

Click on the link for official company website.

[Sources: Dutton; AutoExpress]

Jimny Cricket! Dutton's amphibious Commander S2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jun 2006 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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