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-   -   Electrifying the Suzuki Jimny would ruin the 4x4 SUV, says company president (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/international-automotive-scene/287284-electrifying-suzuki-jimny-would-ruin-4x4-suv-says-company-president.html)

Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki Motor Corp., has confirmed that the brand has no plans to electrify the Jimny. The company president stated that Suzuki has no plans to build either an electric or hybrid version of its small 4x4 SUV as it "would ruin" it.

There were speculations earlier that a hybrid or electric Jimny could be in the works. However, the company president was quick to dash any speculations, stating, "If you talk about the Jimny EV, I think it would ruin the best part of the Jimny. I think the core strength of the Jimny is the right weight."



Having said that, Suzuki did mention that the brand could look at alternate fuels such as e-fuel or biofuel to support the Jimny in the future. Suzuki stated, "If we want to keep providing the Jimny to the market as tools for the professionals, maybe the e-fuel, or biofuel utilising the ICE technology would be the way to keep Jimny supported in the future."

Source: Autocar

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He is right, let them not spoil this wonderful car. There are so many other mainstream cars which can be electrified, leave the Jimny alone !

Even for people asking for a more powerful motor, 6AT transmission, I would personally think, what we have in the current Jimny suits it the best and no putty, tinkering is required. lol: Just my opinion though

Swami

And this is the correct decision, Jimny stays true to its nature - a basic no frills car that gets the job done.

I am all in for this decision. It makes the Jimny buying decision so simple for the customers as well. Take it or leave it. It will remain what it is today for the time to come. Which is reassuring in many ways. Unlike Thar / Roxx where we don't know what will change next. Although I should not be comparing.

That said I would love for Suzuki to refine the 5 door version a bit.
I am not talking features- I don't want 360 camera or ADAS. Jimny does well without those and it will only be a maintenance hassle if more features are introduced.

I am talking solving the propeller shaft rubbing issue, the brake pressure issue at high altitudes, rear suspension drift, etc.

It will make Jimny even better at what it already does so well- give more confidence to prospective buyers.

And yes - just accept the current pricing with the discounts going around and make it official price.

Jimny will find its way.. no pun intended ;)

Correct decision, electrification will ruin the character of the vehicle. What it can do with is more power. A Jimmy equipped with the 1.4 Boosterjet and with electronic power steering will be very welcome.

The primary issue is the weight penalty currently being faced by EV's.
Suzuki knows this only too well hence their reluctance to come up with a Jimny EV or Hybrid.

The Jimny's USP is its fly-weight. Sub 1.2 ton kerb mass , (for the 5-door variant) and only around 1.1 ton for the 3-door variant. Putting in even a moderately sized battery pack, (say 40kWh or thereabouts) or a hybrid range-extender setup will push these figures past 1.5 tons, (at the least), and impact the "scramble anywhere" nature of Jimmy Boy.

It is good that Mr. Suzuki has not fallen prey to populist pressure and succumbed to the EV craze for the Jimny. Some things are not meant for everybody. Just let the Jimny be as it is.

Electrification isn't really for offroaders.

- Frequently, in tough offroad situations, you need full revs & max power. You know what happens to the EV's range with a heavy throttle. I have seen the range dip by 50% or more with an enthusiastic driving style.

- Weight penalty from the battery.

- In the worst case that your battery dies, there is no jerry can option. How on earth will you charge it in the middle of nowhere?

In their current stage of technological evolution, EVs are fantastic city cars, mediocre highway cars and a poor choice for offroading, towing etc.

Summarized beautifully!!!

But from what I've read from many members about their highway experiences with their EV. IMO, I will rate them below mediocre.

Just a few days back (pre Diwali) the Nexa showroom guys underwent a training for " Jimny EV "

Post training he said it was not Jimny EV but for a future Maruti EV (which happened to be the eVX).

Jimny EV name was just given to confuse or keep the future strategy hidden.

I personally always thought Jimny EV was being developed for EU.

However let's wait & watch.

Can I first please request the Jimny to be fitted with a good high powered engine and a modern transmission. Also a pretty decently responding steering? Or does Maruti think these will spoil the off-road capability of the car.

Once this is done, and the Jimny feels 10 years younger, may be people can think about the Jimny going electric.

That said, the beauty of water proofing and absolute troque control from 0 rpm and architectural flexibility will make electric powertrain much more superior to ICE engines when it comes to pure capability. You can play wonders with ESP and Drive modes and make any new driver look like an expert with an electric powertrain.

With the abysmall sales in India, it would probably be only a matter of time before Maruti decides to stop selling it in India and produce only the export models like the 3 Door Jimny.

Now an electric Jimny would be heavier and much more expensive. But then Suzuki can always make electric Jimny to be the lightest and cheapest EV off road vehicle. And EVs are not inherently bad at offroading. I always thought quite the opposite.
EVs offer some unique advantages over ICE vehicles. The wheels can be a lot closer to the edge of the vehicle. They can have multiple motors to send power to each wheel of the vehicle instead of having complex mechanisms to distribute power from a single engine. Electric motors also enable some cool tricks such as spinning some of the wheels in opposite direction to crab walk, turn 360 degrees on a stand still or take tighter turns etc. EVs can utilize regen braking while rolling down hill, which also puts power back into the batteries. They have better water wading capabilities, some EVs can even seal their battery pack and float in water. Apart from the mentioned advantages theres added benefit of silence and we wont polluting the trail.

You are right about the Jimny EV being a codename for the upcoming e Vitara that is to be launched here. Really appreciate this initiative by suzuki, teaching the techs how to service evs beforehand so that they don't see Greek and Latin every time a customer brings in their new E Vitara. Suzuki learnt from the Jimny, as techs had trouble servicing it.

Jimny EV won't be developed for the EU as the EU itself is one probably the biggest market for the Jimny for suzuki, so they won't risk changing what's perfect already. "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

Cheers!

Yes, I am waiting to buy the 3-door model if it is made available in India

I meant that the 5DR may go the 3DR way and may stop being sold in the Indian Market and be reserved for exports only.

The 3DR is no longer being produced in India. So if you want one you have to import it.