THE RETURN OF THE KING

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE LONG-AWAITED MARUTI SUZUKI JIMNY, INCLUDING A TEST OF ITS OFF-ROAD PROWESS

- RAHUL GHOSH

The Jimny existed earlier as a three-door model, but, somehow, Maruti Suzuki thought that wasn't apt for India. So, the company has created a brand new, 5-door version. The new Jimny looks very much like the older version, and, as a result, comes with boxy proportions and a nearly bug-eye-like front-end design. The short bumpers are chiselled much like proper off-road bumpers and, thus, the SUV gets generous ramp over angles. In profile, one can spot the flared wheel arches and the extended wheelbase as compared to the three-door version. While the front door is similar in size, the rear one is a small unit that allows access to the back seat. The only odd sight is the 15-inch wheels, which look small for the SUV. While at first glance, the tyres might look and feel inadequate for off-road use considering they are HT, a closer look reveals they have been made especially for use in sand and snow. At the back, the side-hinged door houses the spare tyre and the taillights have been positioned on the bumpers. Overall, the car looks quite boxy and cute.