Third generation (1998)
At the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki presented the all-new Jimny with a much more modern design.[57] A ladder type chassis and a dual-ratio transfer case were retained, unlike many competing compact 4WDs which lack a low range, and are strictly in the crossover category. Two versions are available in export markets: a standard hard top and the Canvas Top, introduced at the Barcelona Motor Show in May 1999 and was built only by Santana in Spain between 1999 and 2009.[29] The Jimny replaced the popular Sierra/Samurai model in most markets (European introduction was in Paris, 1998[58]), though its predecessor remained in limited production in some places.
For the domestic market, the 1.3-litre Jimny Wide entered the market in January 1998 - unexpectedly, the 660 cc, K6A-engined kei car version which is responsible for most Jimny sales in Japan only arrived in October, long after the larger Jimny Wide. This was because the new Jimny was designed to take advantage of the new kei car regulations and could not go on sale before they took effect.
The larger 1.3-litre Jimny was originally equipped with the G13BB engine also used in the JB32. The 80 PS G13BB engine was replaced in Japan with the January 2000 introduction of the newly designed VVT 16-valve M-engine, but soldiered on in Spanish-built softtops until 2005.[59] For the continental European market, where the diesel cars hold a significant market share, in 2004 the turbo-diesel Jimny JB53 was introduced, built by Santana and using a Renault-built DDiS 1,461 cc K9K engine. Power was originally 65 PS but was increased to 86 PS in 2005, the same as in petrol versions.[57] It was discontinued in 2011, and was never available in Britain and Ireland.
The Jimny has a part-time 4WD system controlled by three dashboard buttons: 2WD, 4WD, and 4WD-L. The default is 2WD, powering the rear wheels. When 4WD is pressed, the front wheels are also engaged in high gear. The 4WD-L engages all wheels in a lower gear ratio. Being a part-time 4WD, there is no centre differential or viscous coupling to allow for speed differences between the front and rear wheels, so only two-wheel drive mode works well on dry pavement. In Japan, the "Sierra" name was revived in January 2002, when 1.3-litre Jimnys began to be sold as the "Jimny Sierra" rather than as the "Jimny Wide".
The Jimny's vacuum-locking hubs allow it to be shifted from 2WD to 4WD while travelling at up to 100 km/h (62 mph). Shifting to low range requires the vehicle to be stopped, but no need to exit the vehicle exists. Newer Jimnys have electronic push-button selectable four-wheel drive, which requires the vehicle to be stopped with the clutch depressed and transmission in neutral to select low range.
The Jimny has large windows, giving excellent visibility, apart from a rather serious blind spot caused by the oversized "B" pillar. The large amount of glass also magnifies the greenhouse effect, and the Jimny comes with air conditioning standard in some regions.
In Europe, both Hard Top and Canvas Top versions come in JX and JLX specifications. These are fairly standard designations across the Suzuki off-road range, with the JLX being the fully optioned "luxury" version. In the case of the Jimny, the JLX adds roof rails, power steering, power windows, power-adjustable exterior mirrors, and several interior comfort improvements. Both models are available with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox. The 2WD option is only available as a five-speed manual, offered between 1998 and 2000.[60] The 2WD variant was also offered in Japan for Kei model, specifically marketed toward female customers. It was initially sold as the Jimny L between 2000 and 2001, before being rebranded as the Jimny J2 and refreshed with a more stylish appearance until 2002.[61]
In 2009, Santana Motor of Spain ended its agreement with Suzuki to make the Canvas Top version, which has not been available since then. In 2011, Santana Motor went bankrupt. The Souza Ramos Group of Brazil, which used to make Mitsubishi cars under license, will start manufacturing the Suzuki Jimny in 2012 in Brazil to compensate for the loss of production capacity from Santana Motor. Whether the Canvas Top version will be manufactured also in Brazil is not known.
As in Japan, Jimnys in Australia have borne the name Jimny Sierra since 2007, largely due to the Sierra name having become synonymous with small, capable off-road vehicles. Since 1999, GM Colmotores have been assembling the 1.3-litre, 79 PS JB33 with the name "Chevrolet Jimny" in Bogotá, Colombia.[62] The Jimny is also available as a parallel import in Singapore.
In 2012, for the 2013 model year, the Jimny received a front facelift, giving it a more angular grille and front bumper, and including a hood scoop. For the Indonesian market, the facelifted Jimny was launched at the 25th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show on 10 August 2017, and 88 units were sold exclusively for a limited time only.[63]
Production of third generation Jimny ceased worldwide (except in Brazil) in 2018 after 20 years of production, as Suzuki retooled in preparation of the fourth generation's launch in late 2018.
In 2021, a British company called Yomper 4×4 started to produce a couple of pickups based on the third generation Jimny, with their Bergan model having a shorter wheelbase than the version known as the Yomper 4×4 Commercial.[64] In 2022, Suzuki Brazil[65] stopped production[55] of the third generation Jimny at their Catalão plant, due to new regulations which meant they could not use the car's 1.3-litre M13A engine without updating it. At that time Suzuki Brazil's range[66] consisted of two Jimny models, with the fourth generation model known as the "Jimny Sierra" and the facelifted third generation on sale in four different versions (all with M13A engine)[67][68] with the Jimny 4Work being the base model and the Jimny Forest being the top-of-the-range model.
Mazda AZ-Offroad
The Mazda AZ-Offroad, introduced in October 1998, is a rebadged Jimny. The AZ in the name refers to Autozam, Mazda's ill-fated small car marque. It is fitted with the turbocharged 658-cc DOHC Suzuki K6A engine, which produces 64 PS.[69] Manually operated four-wheel drive is standard with autolocking front hubs and low range, whilst an automatic transmission is optional.
Production was ceased in early 2014.[54]
