Suzuki Make Sure Jimny's Pickup Version Is Not Included In The Production Plan

Suzuki Jimny Ut is the pickup version. (Photo: Drive)

JAKARTA - Suzuki insists it will not produce Jimny in the pickup version, even though the concept (Jimny Ut) has appeared and has received attention since 2019. This is due to lack of interest in the segment.

This was conveyed directly by the Chief Engineer of Suzuki Motor Corporation Takamitsu Sasaki, during the Tokyo 2025 motorcycle exhibition. Sasaki explained that Jimny Ut was not included in the development plan due to a number of technical considerations and the lack of demand.

"There are not many requests," said Takamitsu Sasaki, as reported by Drive, Thursday, December 4.

According to Sasaki, Jimny must get a significant increase in resilience if it is changed to a pickup. This is considered quite difficult to do.

"If we build a Jimny truck, we have to make it very durable, and it's very difficult. To put more weight on the back, we need to make the frame stronger," he said.

The fourth-generation Jimny made his global debut in 2018, before Suzuki featured the concept of the UT less than a year later at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2019. At that time, concept versions came with two seats, higher driving positions, sturdy bumpers, all-field tires, and Sierra' stickers.

The car features an interesting picture of a compact pickup that remains legal on the highway. However, Suzuki ensured that the model would not continue to be a mass product, so Jimny Ut has so far only been a project that the modifiers are working on.

Sasaki said that Jimny's ladder chassis does have limitations, considering that the maximum load capacity of the three-door and XL models is only 340 kilograms. That includes passenger loads.

When asked about the possibility of Jimny with more power, Sasaki emphasized that it was also not planned. He said Jimny's engine has now been made as a unit with his body.

We don't consider a larger [machine] model because this model is very specific to the body and engine. It's a matter of balance, the size is right, so we don't consider larger engines," he explained.

In Australia, Jimny is marketed with a four-cylinder 1.5 liter gasoline engine which produces 75 kW and a torque of 130 Nm. Meanwhile in Japan, this model is categorized as a kei car so it uses a three-cylinder engine of 658 cc turbo with 47 kW power.