An electrified five-door Suzuki Jimny could be announced as early as January 2023, with fresh reports out of Japan at last pointing to a likely launch date for the long-wheelbase version of the popular 4WD.
In fact, according to Japan’s Best Car Web, the official confirmation could arrive as early as January 12 next year, meaning a potential 2023 launch in Australia.
And that can only be good news for the growing army of Jimny fans in Australia, with queues still growing for the two-door version of the cult off-roader.
The five-door variant has been something of a poorly kept secret, especially after spy shots of a long-wheel-base version of the Jimny undergoing testing were recently snapped in India.
According to international reports, the new model will stretch some 3850mm in length, 1645mm in width and 1730mm in height, with the new model to ride on a wheelbase that’s been lengthened by 300mm to 2550mm.
All of that extra room will be dedicated to backseat passengers, with the five-door Jimny presenting as a real – if a little quirky – family transport solution.
In more news, the new Jimny in both three- and five-door guises is also expected to adopt a hybrid powertrain for the first time.
The engine in question is Suzuki’s K15C, a 1.5-litre petrol engine which pairs with an electric motor to produce a total 85kW and 138Nm. They’re small but important improvements over the current’s Jimny’s 1.5-litre petrol engine, which produces 75kW and 130Nm.
The engine can pair with a six-speed manual transmission, and can be configured for two- or four-wheel drive.
Suzuki is yet to confirm the details, but the brand’s Australian chief, Michael Pachota, recently told CarsGuide that the brand is on track to be fully hybrid by 2025, so it stands to reason that the Jimny will be going petrol-electric.
“We’re trying to introduce products that fall into line with our CO2 standard,” he said.
“Our model introduction plan… looks as though we could complete it by 2025. To do so, we’re going to have to introduce hybrid technology fairly soon – it’s just around the corner. It’s no longer a matter of if, it’s a matter of when, and we will be making more announcements on that next year.”
CarsGuide understands there are around 3000 people currently in the queue for the Jimny in Australia, with Suzuki’s 4WD beset – along with most other makes and models – by supply woes following parts shortages and COVID-related shutdowns.
Last year, Suzuki delivered 3350 examples of its tiny 4WD in Australia. But with supply now improving, the brand secured almost 3000 vehicles in just the first seven months of 2022.
The good news is that supply is expected to further improve, with Suzuki in Australia expecting to have delivered in excess of 6000 units by the end of December.
Keyword: Five-door Suzuki Jimny launch date revealed - and it's going electric! New 1.5-litre hybrid to deliver more power, and less fuel use: Reports