Good Value Safari Kit Celebrates Enduring Success of Suzuki Jimny

A special Safari edition of the evergreen Suzuki Jimny has been launched to celebrate more than 40 years of an iconic four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Joining the Jimny will be a three-door Suzuki Grand Vitara which is also available with a good value Safari accessory option.

The first generation Jimny arrived in 1970 and the current model first went on sale in New Zealand in 1999, making it the longest running new car currently sold here. In the first five months of 2017, Jimny sales in New Zealand increased by 49 percent over the same period last year, reinforcing the model’s long-time popularity.

Suzuki is the leader in compact and small SUVs, and the much loved Jimny is one of the last four-wheel-drives to boast a hardcore three-section ladder-frame chassis, live axles front and rear and reduction gearing or low range gearing for arduous off-road work.

A rugged and practical front skid plate and stainless steel side steps are unique to the Jimny Safari which is distinguished by Safari decals. The package also comprises a spare wheel cover and a deep cargo tray set which protects interior fittings.

The Safari kit can be specified on all three Jimny models, and adds just $1,000 to the recommended retail price. In JX manual gearbox form, the Jimny Safari is $20,990, plus on road costs. In higher specification Sierra manual guise, the Jimny is $23,990, or $25,500 with automatic transmission.

Standard Jimny equipment includes dual front airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock braking with brake assist and side impact beams. Sierra versions gain smoked alloy wheels with 205/70R 15 tyres, electrically operated windows, remote centralised door locking, Bluetooth and air conditioning.

Measuring just 3.7 metres, the light and nimble Jimny is powered by a 1.3 litre, four-valves per cylinder, variable valve technology four-cylinder engine producing 62.5 kW of power.

Suzuki has avoided any temptation to “soften up” the Jimny which is unapologetically designed for rough off-road use as well as being ideal in city and urban road operation. Excellent off-road ability, with 34 degrees approach and 46 degrees departure angles, allows the little Suzuki to beat most larger 4WD models when the going gets tough.

Meanwhile the 2.4 litre Grand Vitara is also considered an off-road legend, with its good wheel travel and generous wheel articulation for off-road operation. Like Jimny, the Grand Vitara is a traditional 4WD with built-in ladder frame chassis and low ratio gearing. The three-door Grand Vitara Safari comprises a strong alloy nudge bar at the front, stainless steel sidesteps, a deep cargo tray with grip tread and Safari body graphics.

Priced at $32,990 in manual gearbox mode, and $34,500 with automatic transmission, the Grand Vitara Safari has cruise control, air conditioning, four-speaker touch screen tuner with CD/SD/MP3 and satellite navigation, reversing camera, hands-free Bluetooth connectivity and USB/auxiliary inputs, six air bags and ESP.