Suzuki Considers Jimny Pickup, Hybrid, And EV Variants

While the Suzuki Jimny remains a tantalizing, off-limits treat for US drivers, the pint-sized powerhouse continues to woo buyers globally. Nearly five years after its debut, Suzuki is contemplating a pickup variant to join the existing three-door and five-door SUV options.

Regarding available powertrains, the addition of a hybrid option could be the highlight of a mid-lifecycle update, enhancing both the efficiency and performance of the current gasoline engine. Notably, Suzuki has officially confirmed that a fully electric Jimny will debut in Europe by 2030.

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Starting with the much-anticipated pickup, the general manager of Suzuki Australia hinted that it is still under development. When our colleagues at CarSales asked Michael Pachota about the potential of a two-door Jimny pickup, he replied, “The project, I would say, is not dead. Imagine a Jimny with two seats at the front and nothing at the back.”

Over the years, there have been numerous pickup conversions of the Jimny, including a cool turbo truck from Italy and a chassis cab workhorse from New Zealand. Despite the hype around the Suzuki Jimny Sierra Pickup Style concept at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon, the automaker has yet to announce a production version.

For our speculative rendering, we used the 2,590 mm (102 inches) wheelbase of the five-door Jimny, which is 340 mm (13.4 inches) longer than the three-door model. Additionally, we stretched the rear overhang to allow more space for the rear bed, adding practicality to the fictional model. Finally, we included a small extension on the two-seater cabin while staying true to the two-door pickup design.

A different version of the Jimny pickup appeared a few months ago in digital renderings by independent designer Theophilus Chin. This version featured a double-cab bodystyle, resembling a baby Jeep Gladiator. However, a lighter and more compact version would make more sense if Suzuki plans on using the same powertrain as the SUV models.

The Suzuki Jimny Will Be Electrified

Suzuki Australia’s general manager also addressed the possibility of a hybrid Jimny in response to stricter emission regulations. Specifically, he said, “I’d like to see other variations of the Jimny product – variations that could probably even help with NVES (New Vehicle Efficiency Standard).”

A Suzuki Jimny Hybrid has also been rumored for the European market, where the company is forced to sell the off-roader as a two-seater LCV due to the higher-than-allowed CO2 emissions of its naturally aspirated gasoline powertrain. An easy solution to this problem could be fitting the Jimny with a mild-hybrid 1.5-liter engine, possibly as part of the facelift rumored for 2024 or 2025.

Pachota didn’t disclose the specifications of the potential hybrid engine, stating that he still doesn’t know the details. It’s worth mentioning that the Jimny will soon be Suzuki’s only non-hybrid model in Europe and Australia, leading us to believe that its electrification is imminent.

The official teaser for the upcoming Suzuki Jimny EV

Setting aside the hybrid, Suzuki has officially confirmed it is working on a fully-electric Jimny. The zero-emission off-roader is set to debut in Europe by 2030, as one of five Suzuki EVs in the region. The official teaser suggested that the electric Jimny will be based on the three-door SUV, featuring revised LED headlight graphics. Besides Europe, the Jimny EV is also expected to be offered in markets such as Japan and India.

Fingers crossed, we may soon see more details emerge on potential pickup, hybrid, and electric versions of the Suzuki Jimny. If these models are indeed in development, our spy photographers could snag a camouflaged prototype undergoing testing somewhere around the globe.

Note: These independent renderings are off-the-record and unrelated to Suzuki.

Illustrations Thanos Pappas for CarScoops