If you like the rugged looks and capability of the Suzuki Jimny but need more space, the Japanese brand appears to be working on a solution.
Our spy photographers have captured a camouflaged Suzuki Jimny prototype in Europe that’s longer than the regular three-door model, and features a pair of extra doors.
This stretched Jimny has been rumoured and spied in mule form for over 12 months now, but this particular prototype appears to be in production form with functioning rear doors.
This could point toward the reveal of the stretched Jimny not being too far away, with a reveal potentially late in 2022 or early in 2023.
At this stage it’s unclear what Suzuki plans to call this longer Jimny. The Jimny Long name has been thrown around previously but nothing has been confirmed yet.
The main question about this stretched Suzuki Jimny is what’s under the bonnet.
The regular, three-door Suzuki Jimny is currently powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 75kW of power and 130Nm of torque. This is mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
Previous rumours have suggested the five-door Jimny would share this naturally-aspirated powertrain, but our spy photographer has noted the prototype was driving “without any engine noise”.
This suggests the Suzuki Jimny five-door could have some form of electrified powertrain that allows to it drive on all-electric power only.
One option that seems plausible is the Vitara Full Hybrid‘s powertrain which uses the Jimny’s 1.5-litre petrol engine as a base and is joined by a 140-volt hybrid system with a 24.6kW electric motor.
The closed-loop hybrid system in the Vitara Full Hybrid drives the front wheels (AllGrip all-wheel drive is available an option) through a six-speed automated manual transmission.
There’s no clutch pedal and the on-board computer picks the gear, but the system has to dip the clutch for you, engage the new gear and then carry on.
This spied Suzuki Jimny five-door has a longer wheelbase and is longer overall.
Our spy photographers suggest the wheelbase is around 300mm longer than the three-door model which could take overall length to around 3800mm.
If this is correct the Jimny five-door would be roughly the same length as the Suzuki Swift, Mitsubishi Mirage and Mini three-door hatch.
Width and height are expected to remain unchanged, at 1645mm and 1730mm, respectively.
It appears the front doors on this five-door Jimny are slightly shorter than the ones on the three-door in order to accommodate the two rear doors, which finish almost halfway on the rear wheel arch.
The longer wheelbase should free up more space for passengers and luggage.
At the front of the cabin, there aren’t any notable differences from the current three-door model.
The regular Suzuki Jimny has been on sale in Australia now since 2019 and demand has exceeded supply, leading to long waiting lists.
Suzuki Australia has previously indicated it would love to offer the Jimny five-door locally but there hasn’t been any confirmation yet.
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