Electrification would “ruin” Suzuki Jimny

Plans for a battery-electric or even a hybrid Suzuki Jimny have been scuttled, with Suzuki’s global boss decreeing electrification would ruin the iconic little 4x4.

The brand teased an electric Jimny concept last year in a presentation to investors on how it would expand into the realm of EVs.

Going by recent comments made by Suzuki global president Toshihiro Suzuki however, it seems the brand has pulled a U-turn on the idea of electrifying its off-road hero at all.

Speaking to Autocar, Suzuki said: “If you talk about the Jimny EV, I think it would ruin the best part of the Jimny”.

Suzuki went on to say the “core strength of the Jimny is the right weight”, implying any extra heft would compromise it capabilities off-road.

When asked how the Jimny will weather the storm of more stringent emission targets and the Australian Government’s inbound New Vehicle Emission Standards (NVES), the Suzuki boss pointed to alternative fuels as one possible solution.

“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 Jimmy supported in the future,” he said.

The unusual remark re professionals is because EU CO2 targets have already seen the passenger version of the off-roader dropped, with the only version sold being a small two-seat light commercial that’s snapped up by tradies.

Back in Australia the Jimny's 1.5-litre petrol engine’s relatively high emissions will see it attract penalties of $2000 to $3500, with the emissions needed to be offset by other less polluting cars in the range.

Despite that, it’s unlikely the Jimny will be axed Down Under seeing as the brand has been battling supply bottlenecks since 2019 linked to overwhelming demand.

Remarkably, in the first six months of 2024, it was even the second-most popular light SUV behind the Mazda CX-3.

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