Maruti Suzuki Jimny to be launched in India by 2017-end; likely to get 1.0 Boosterjet engine: Report

India is one of the key markets of Japanese car maker Suzuki. However, the company has never showed interest in launching some of the cool cars from its international portfolio. The Jimny compact SUV is one among that. In July, it was reported that the next generation of Jimny will be manufactured in India. Emerging reports indicate that the new version of the compact SUV will enter Indian market next year.

The launch of the new Jimny in India can be expected by the end of 2017, reports Financial Express. The next generation of Jimny will based on the platform that also underpins Baleno and the soon-to-be launched Ignis compact crossover. It is expected to be manufactured at Suzuki's upcoming Gujarat facility that will also serve as production hub for the next generation model.

The new Jimny is expected to be launched with the four-wheel-drive system. The compact SUV will be powered by a 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo petrol engine. This is engine will make India debut with Baleno RS slated for early next year.

However, Maruti Suzuki may consider a more powerful 1.4-litre BoosterJet engine that does duty on Suzuki Vitara in European markets. The new-gen Jimny's powertrains will be coupled to either five-speed manual or a new automatic gearbox.

It is not clear that Maruti Suzuki will sell the compact SUV with the Jimny nameplate or it will be positioned as the successor of Gypsy to capitalise on the latter's historical popularity in the country.

The first generation of Jimny was launched way back in 1970. The second generation was introduced in 1981 and continued for a long duration without major changes until the third generation's debut in 1998. The third generation has been there for over 17 years, while the fourth generation is expected to make a debut in mid-2017.