A new report out of Australia suggests Suzuki is considering producing a Jimny bakkie based on the fourth-generation version of its plucky little SUV.
Of course, the Japanese automaker tested the waters earlier in January at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon, where it took the wraps off the Jimny Pick-up Style concept.
Now the head of Suzuki Automotive in Australia has hinted a production version could very well be on the cards.
“I am pushing for the development for a ute-back Jimny in Australia,” Michael Pachota, general manager of Suzuki Automotive Australia, told motoring.com.au.
“Australian consumers can’t wait to get their hands on a ute version, so I’m pushing very hard with the factory to try and get that into Australia.
The executive suggested talks with Suzuki’s head office in Japan had already started, before adding “Australia’s influence takes a high play in terms of the design, research, development and new concepts that SMC [Suzuki Motor Corporation] plans to develop”.
As the report points out, a Jimny bakkie would likely employ the SUV’s powertrain unchanged, which means it would use the firm’s naturally aspirated four-cylinder K15B engine, sending 75 kW and 130 N.m to all four corners via either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.
While a pick-up version would also logically retain the Jimny’s ladder-frame chassis, the body itself would likely be lengthened to accommodate a small load-bed.
In Namibia, of course, Suzuki sells the Gypsy, a small 4×4 (built by Maruti Suzuki in India) offered with an optional pick-up conversion.
