MARUTI SUZUKI JIMNY: SURE-FOOTED AS A SHERPA

This is the rebirth of an icon for those 80s and 90s kids who grew up following the rally culture in India

- SUJITH GOPINATH

In fact, it is not common knowledge that what we know as Gypsy, was the second generation Jimny in its global avatar. The 4th generation debuted in 2018 with the 3-door version. The 5-door variant was unveiled in this year’s Auto Expo and T3 had the chance to drive this compact off-roader in the valleys and riverbeds of Dehradun.

The five-door Jimny’s design mimics the three-door with the gunmetal grey grille with chrome plated openings, lumber black scratch-resistant bumpers and clamshell bonnet. With the extended wheelbase, trapezoidal wheel arch extensions and round headlamps, the Jimny presents a design language that is quite likeable, though not as intimidating, or distinctly muscular as the Mahindra Thar or Force Gurkha. The vehicle is available in Pearl Arctic White, Granite Grey, Nexa Blue, Bluish Black and Sizzling Red colours in the Zeta variant, while the top-spec Alpha variant adds dual-tone variants in Sizzling Red and Kinetic Yellow with Bluish Black roof. We had a glimpse of some heavily accessorised version of the SUV along with some Jimny-themed off-roading kits and accessories Nexa has readied for adventure-junkies.