Suzuki Cars Malaysia, through its sole distributor Naza Eastern Motors, has just published a teaser photo on its Facebook page, hinting at a new special edition model for the Jimny.
As with most teasers, the photo here is basically shrouded entirely in the shadows. The rhino silhouette in the background, alongside the mention of “off-road supremacy” in the caption, however, does point us at a new variant of the tiny 4X4, perhaps a special edition model similar to the Suzuki Jimny Rhino Edition in South Africa.
Jimny diehards will definitely recognise the rhino branding, but for those who don’t, the rhinoceros is essentially the symbol for Jimny since the 80s, meant as a sign for “rugged strength, robust appearance, solidity, and dynamic power”. Despite that, though, whatever Rhino Edition we’re getting here in Malaysia will most likely not be any more rugged than the regular Suzuki Jimny already is.
If the Malaysian market model does indeed follow the same recipe as the South African special-edition model, then it’ll just be a visual makeover on the outside, consisting of the Suzuki heritage grille, rhino decals and badges, a soft wheel cover with the rhino logo plastered across, plus the red-coloured mud flaps for all four wheels to give it a truly unique look.
Underneath the bonnet is still the same 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four engine and four-speed automatic transmission combo, pushing 102 hp and 130 Nm to the ground via a part-time 4WD driveline.
Here in Malaysia, the Suzuki Jimny is currently only offered in a single variant, retailing at RM174,900 on-the-road, without insurace.
