Suzuki Jimny EV imagined

The Suzuki Jimny range is expanding, with bigger long-wheelbase, cheaper Lite, workhorse commercial and potentially tray-back ute versions on their way – and it’s a safe bet Suzuki is also considering electrification as part of its future product strategy for the iconic baby off-roader.

Suzuki entered into an EV partnership with Toyota and Daihatsu in 2021 and that’s expected to spawn a range of new compact electric vehicles, almost certainly including a battery-powered Jimny.

If Suzuki does bless its smallest and most famous SUV with pure-electric power its cult status would be amped up to giddying new levels and this render from SRK Designs is a neat and tidy preview of what a Suzuki Jimny EV could look like.

Thankfully, given its bold mini-Gelandewagen design is a large part of its enduring appeal, SRK has left the Jimny’s trademark box shape intact, but the unofficial com-gen adds new-look LED headlights and an ultra-modern front bumper.

Combined with blue-white two-tone paintwork, the changes communicate its EV status as clearly as distilled spring water.

Fitted with a lithium-ion battery pack, the Jimny’s already legendary rock-hopping capabilities could be theoretically improved via the instant power delivery provided by a torquey electric motor or two.

The e-motors would easily eclipse the meagre power and torque outputs (75kW/130Nm) of the current Jimny’s dated 1.5-litre petrol engine.

A two-speed transmission or unique software could also emulate low-ratio gearing for extreme off-road work, and the idea of exploring tight firetrails in near-silence is a tantalising prospect.

It’s still not clear how many car-makers will offer hard-core off-road EVs in future, but Jeep has already revealed an all-electric compact SUV and the mud-slinging Trailhawk version could be a competitor to a future Jimny EV.

Suzuki’s famous compact 4x4 has been a sell-out success globally, thanks to its distinctive retro design and bona-fide off-road capability, and an electrified model could even arrive in the current generation to ensure its availability in countries with stricter emissions regulations.

The current model’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is neither advanced nor clean and the regular Jimny was banned for sale in many European markets in 2020 due to emissions laws, before being replaced by a model that omits the rear seats, installs a cargo barrier and is called a ‘commercial’ vehicle to circumvent those regulations.

As demand for the Suzuki Jimny continues to outstrip supply and second-hand prices skyrocket, the Japanese car-maker is attempting to bring more vehicles to market via increased manufacturing capacity at the Maruti Suzuki factory in India.

In the first three months of 2022, Suzuki Jimny sales have more than doubled following freer supplies, from 614 to 1288. Given the models profitability and sales success both locally and globally, it’s only a matter of time before an electrified version such as this becomes reality.