Suzuki Readying Next-Gen Jimny/Samurai?

Suzuki has dropped a few teasers of a new concept vehicle headed to this year's Delhi Auto Expo, and the sneaky shots may hint at a successor to the well-worn Jimny/Samurai throne. Right now, the automaker doesn't have a known replacement lined up for the pint-sized SUV.

The Samurai may have exited North America long ago, but its direct descendant, the Jimny, is still very much alive elsewhere. In fact, it has cultivated a decades-old reputation for being a tough-as-nails bruiser that's as reliable as it is capable. We think Suzuki would do well to keep the model in its portfolio in the future, and now, new reports suggest the company could lift parts from the Swift drivetrain to build a low-cost Jimny successor.

Even so, assuming the teasers indicate a concept vehicle, it would likely be some time before we saw a production model frolicking about in the light of day. Early estimates would put a next-generation Samurai on stage at the Delhi Auto Expo in two years or so. Does that mean the U.S. will see the Samurai name return to its soil? With Suzuki's floundering presence here in the states, that seems unlikely, but we would welcome a capable, low-dollar off roader to our shores any day. Head over to the Maruti Suzuki page for a closer look.

 

My first car was a Samurai lol... At the time i just wanted wheels and it was the only thing i could afford at 17. This mini SUV lasted 2 + years problem free.. Can't believe there's a concept vehicle or even talk about a successor

 

IMO, from the picture, it looks too tall and narrow for the U.S. market (just like the original Samurai was). With that kind of center-of-gravity, inexperienced kids and other careless drivers will probably be flipping them over (maybe even with stability-control), like they did 20-25 years ago, when the original Samurai racked up more lawsuits than any other vehicle, at that time, in the American market. The reason I say even with stability-control is that most stability systems (Volvo and Ford being exceptions) don't necessarily correct for body-lean.......only understeer/oversteer. Consumer Reports gave the original Samurai a rare Not Acceptable rating, based mostly on its notorious instability, but also on some other poorly-done features as well.

When Daihatsu brought the competing Rocky to the American market (some of you may remember the Rocky), they were smart.....they did a significantly wider-track version in America for better stability, with wider/bulged-out fenders, than on their JDM version. The Rocky, in general, did not suffer the notorious roll-over problems the Samurai did....or the lawsuits. But Daihausu, nevertheless, was still unsuccesful in the American market....and pulled out.

Which, of course, begs the question......why didn't Daihatsu also do the safer, wide-track Rocky version for the JDM?...their JDM Rocky was much like the Samurai. Simple...in Japan, they generally don't have the same litigious-minded population, careless drivers, and ambulance-chasing trial-lawyer system we have in America.