New Suzuki Jimny five-door could come to Oz

The cult-like Suzuki Jimny off-roader could soon broaden its fan base – including right here in Australia.

According to Autocar India, Suzuki is developing a five-door version of the Jimny to be built at the car-maker’s Hansalpur plant in Gujarat, India, alongside the regular three-door version.

Citing an unnamed source, the publication says the five-door Suzuki Jimny will be differentiated by a longer wheelbase, two rear doors and larger cabin, and will go on sale later this year.

The long-wheelbase Suzuki Jimny five-door is expected to retain a ladder-frame chassis, rigid axles and 75kW/130Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine matched to a four-wheel drive system with low-range transfer case.

“Manufacture of the three-door Jimny is set to commence at Maruti Suzuki’s Hansalpur plant in Gujarat, around June 2020, with the entire production earmarked for exports,” Autocar India reported.

“Production of the five-door Jimny will commence six months later with the output shared between India and export markets.”

Suzuki Australia told carsales it was interested in any potential five-door version of the Jimny, but declined to comment on whether such a model had officially been green-lit.

“The report is not based on any official publication or statement from Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and no confirmation of such a model has been communicated to date,” said Suzuki Australia general manager Michael Pachota.

“I will say, Suzuki Australia does have its hand held high if there is ever a possibility of this variant in future, as per my previous statements in 2019 when asked if there will be a five-door variant available.

“Jimny is an amazing product that, even presented with current challenges in market, still continues in very high demand. Any further variants would be growing that incredible order bank even further, especially if we 'ever' start marketing any of them.”

One potential hurdle for the five-door Jimny in Australia is that Suzuki Australia currently sources its three-door Jimny from Japan, not India.

Regardless, a five-door Jimny would no doubt find home in Australia, where the Jimny waiting list has stretched to 12 months – creating a second-hand market full of speculative prices.

The Suzuki Jimny five-door could also be the next step towards an entire family of models based around the nameplate, including three-door and five-door wagons and potential even the return of the Jimny ute (known formerly as the Suzuki Samurai).