National distributor is in talks with Japan about securing India-made models.

POTENTIAL availability of two new Suzuki vehicles, a five-door Jimny and a fresh small sports utility car called Fronx, is being explored, but talks are at an early stage.

That’s from Gary Collins, general manager of marketing for Whanganui-based Suzuki New Zealand, in respect to the vehicles (above), unveiled just days ago in India, where they are being built.

Fronx already being in line for introduction to Australia to kick off a pitch with mild-hybrid drivetrains will help New Zealand’s request, Collins agrees, and with Jimny one of the stronger selling models here in its original three-door form, having the longer wheelbase but mechanically identical five-door just makes sense, he says.

But all this requires sign off from head office in Japan.

“At this stage we are discussing the cars with the factory, the information about them is still fairly fresh. There is no question that we are interested in them. The decision is with Japan.”

Overseas reports say Jimny, which achieved 1502 reported retails in 2022 and look strong to continue well this year as availability is now well-resolved, is also in line to adopt a hybrid drivetrain in 2024. Further details remain undisclosed.

Collins says it is not clear if that applies across both body styles, or simply to five-door.

Clean Car legislation raising the imperative for low CO2 powertrains is being especially felt here, so anything that helps is being carefully considered.

Fronx bases off the same platform as the Baleno compact car, whose availability to Australasia ceased in mid-2022, though some stock remains, but aims at a different sector, being tailored as a foil for the Kia Stonia, Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Venue. It’s 3995mm long, 1765mm wide and 1550 high.

It goes on sale in India in April, where two petrol drivetrains have been announced. There’s a standard four-cylinder 1.2-litre and a more advanced 1.0-litre mild-hybrid turbo with direct fuel injection and electric assistance.

The latter makes 74kW and 148Nm is teamed with either a five-speed manual or auto, while the larger capacity, 67kW and 113Nm engine comes with a five-speed manual or six-speed auto with paddleshift levers.

India will see it in five trims - Sigma, Delta, Delta Plus, Zeta and Alpha – with standard features spanning electronic stability control, hill hold assist, dual airbags, reverse parking sensors, ISOFIX, keyless entry, 60:40 split rear seats, front and rear power windows and automatic climate control.

At 3985mm, the five-door Jimny is 340mm longer than the three-door, while its wheelbase is now 2590mm; height and width don’t alter. Understandably there’s improvement in rear legroom and boot space – the latter is 110 litres’ larger. The forward part of the cabin is unaltered to that Kiwis are familiar with.

The five-door is between 75kg to 125kg heavier, depending on the specification however Suzuki has not altered the drivetrain to compensate, instead keeping the familiar, hard-working normally-aspirated 1.5-litre engine, in identical 77kW and 134Nm tune.

A five-speed manual or four-speed automatic option avail and it also maintains the AllGrip Four-wheel drive. Strong off-roading ability is promised and while the extra metal work means the five door’s breakover angle is 24 degrees, a four degree reduction on the three-door, the approach and departure angles remain at 36 and 50 degrees respectively.