New Delhi: The eagerly awaited Jimny 5-door version is now being produced by Maruti Suzuki in India. The first compact offroader has left its Gurugram, Haryana, manufacturing facility.
Since its debut at the Auto Expo 2023, the rugged-looking SUV has received over 23,500 reservations. Here is a look at its main competitors as the launch approaches.
In order to capitalise on the growing demand for lifestyle SUVs in India, many automakers are releasing tough offroad vehicles. With the 5-door variation of the venerable Jimny model, Maruti Suzuki has now entered the market.
Also Read: Before a potential Zelenskyy visit, Germany announces a $3 billion military aid package for Ukraine
What kind of performance can the small off-roader expect from rivals like the Mahindra Thar or the upcoming Force Gurkha 5-door? Let's investigate.
The Maruti Suzuki Jimny 5-door has a clamshell bonnet, round LED headlamp units, a blacked-out vertical-slatted grille, flared wheel arches with black cladding, rugged-looking alloy wheels, a spare wheel mounted on the tailboard and bumper-mounted taillights. These features give the car a neo-retro look. It features a practical five-seat interior with a dashboard made entirely of black, premium fabric, connected car technology, and a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The economical 1.5-liter, inline-four, K-series petrol engine that drives the Maruti Suzuki Jimny 5-door produces a maximum of 103 horsepower and a maximum torque of 134 Nm. It is equipped with a "AllGrip" four-wheel-drive system and is mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Also Read: Bloomberg: The UK's top concern is rising food prices
The Mahindra Thar is distinguished by its long, chiselled hood, rounded headlights, vertical slatted grille, flared wheel arches, 18-inch designer alloy wheels, and squared-off LED taillights.
A leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, cruise control, and a 7.0-inch infotainment console are all included inside the four-seat (2+2) cabin. It has a 1.5-liter diesel engine with 117 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque and a 2.0-liter mStallion turbo-petrol engine with 147.9 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque.
Also Read: The US will engage Iran with fresh naval deployments
The Force Gurkha 5-door has a smooth grille, squared windows, flared wheel arches, round headlamps with DRLs, a flat bonnet, blacked-out alloy wheels and a spare mounted on the tailboard.
The roomy six-seater cabin has a three-spoke steering wheel, an analogue instrument cluster, manual air conditioning, circular AC vents, and multiple airbags. It is powered by a 2.6-liter diesel engine with 90 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque from Mercedes.