Suzuki Malaysia on Suzuki Jimny JB43 1.3 JLX

UPDATE (29 June 2013): Suzuki Jimny Malaysia 2013 preview during DRB-Hicom Autofest 2013 SPICE Penang. Read it here or here.

First of all, sorry for the title above, it just a hope to see the Suzuki Jimny JB model roaming on the street of Malaysia in the near future to replace the SJ model. Perhaps, our neighboring country Brunei had their new Jimny launched recently on December 2, 2011 by a company named Bousted Sdn. Bhd. Our beloved Malaysia and specifically the land of 4x4, Sabah has a long history of well established Suzuki Jimny SJ with several areas in Sabah such as Tamparuli and Ranau has the most SJ. In fact, 4x4 challenge shows many of the competitors are now using SJ based body due to easy modification on all aspects. 

I am a passionate on this kind of car actually, and when I have the opportunity to visit the Brunei 4x4 Challenge 2012 at Tanah Jambu, Brunei Darussalam, I was overwhelmed by the excitement when I saw that two of the new Suzuki Jimny were on display. Then, I took the advantage to scrutinize the car to the fullest, but unfortunately, not managed to test-drive.

The new Jimny still feels like the old but refined the trim for dual worlds, the fashionable city cruising and rugged for harsh terrain off road. On the interior, the compactness of the car is not minimizing its comforts and ample space for the headroom. Quite large and sporty seats are neatly placed to accommodate for four peoples and comfortable enough even on long and rough drives. Interestingly, the seats are foldable for possible goods transporting. On the dashboard, the central design placed the important functional items such as air-conditional controls, radio and electronic push-button selectable four-wheel drive (2WD, 4WD and 4WDL). The meters are large and nicely lighted to provide the vital information about the state of the car. It's easy to get to use the interior, where all the buttons can be controlled easily by the driver. The large grip on the steering is much appreciated with the power assisted steering feature.    

In the engine compartment, all necessary components are nicely fitted. Powered by the M13A engine is believed to be reliable enough for normal driving or possible off-road torture. I said 'believed' because, I haven't had the opportunity to run the test drive. However, judging from old F10A engine on my 83 SJ410, I presume the new engine must be a lot better than the old engine.

Looking underneath, the live axles and coil springs suspension add greater comfort for this car. The first Jimny equipped with standard suspension while the second Jimny on display was modified for off road with Ironman Nitro gas shocks and steering damper. I can see that, the new Jimny offers wide possibilities of standard off road modification that can suit ones need.

How about the price, well I can't say much the price in Ringgit Malaysia but in Brunei, the Suzuki Jimny 1.3 JLX 4WD 3 Door with (alloy wheel, power windows, air-cond, sun visor, fog lights and roof rail) is priced at $25,400. It is affordable, of course if you are Brunei dollar, but converting it to RM is around RM60,731,   it is not affordable anymore. However, there are possible markets in Malaysia too. I was informed by a friend where he spotted one new Jimny in Sabah with Kudat plate number.

I know, RM60K-80K of such small car is not really affordable for average people which need simple but reliable 4x4 car. Proton looks like will never be engaged in this segment, so Perodua, which discontinued the 'not-so-4x4' Kembara (Terios) and the overpriced Nautica. I guess, we will stick to the old Suzuki SJ until all rotten and just admiring our neighbor countries showing-off their new JB model.

Thus, if the new Jimny JB43 is intended to be sold in Malaysia, it needs to be assembled locally in order to lower the price around RM20K-30K, thus the selling price is around RM60K-70K. I believe this can be done, just like previous locally assembled SJ model. However, with the current automotive policy, I don't think we will ever get this model and left this car segment unfilled for a very long time. In the mean time, we just want government to protect the user of such old car and make sure all parts supplies are available and affordable. With the still "bad" condition of roads in rural areas in Sabah, not everyone can afford the big 4x4 such as Hilux, DMax, Navara, Ranger, Triton or the like. Perhaps, Perodua Kancil offroad anyone..

When you can't afford the Hilux or similar, Suzuki SJ can be loaded for transporting goods..

Anyway, here are the photos of the new Jimny JB43 model at PGB4 4x4 track, Brunei Darussalam.

Side view of the modified Jimny (with Ironman shocks and steering damper)

Rear view of the modified Jimny (roof rack on the top)

Front view, need a good steel bumper in future for serious off road

Rear view with High Lift Jack

Ironman steering damper

Radius arm for the rear axle

radius arms for the front axle

The snorkel on Jimny

Steering

Automatic transmission

Meter panels

M13A 1.3 DOHC 16 valve engine

M13A 4-cyclinder 1,328cc DOHC 16 Valve engine

Made in Japan

Grille net and Jimny emblem

Jimny emblem at rear

Suzuki emblem at rear leaft

Still have some space at the back

Front axle with coil spring

   
Snorkel