Geneva Motor Show: Suzuki is giving the small off-roader another blast, or at least contemplating it, with the cute iM-4 4×4 concept. Could this be the next Jimny?
“Shape the inspiration.” That’s the cheesy tag line for the iM-4, which has been designed as a personal vehicle that is meant to help you find new ways to have fun while driving.
Suzuki’s four-wheel drive ensures you tackle snow, lumps and relatively large bumps, with 18-inch wheels, wide diameter tyres and side body moulding helping the iM-4 soak up and survive Mother Nature’s wrath.
Unusually for a car of this size and type, the iM-4 4×4 concept is powered by a hybrid system known as SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) that regenerates energy from braking that would otherwise be wasted. In doing so, fuel efficiency of the 1.2-litre Dualjet engine is improved.
In terms of size, the Jimny and iM-4 are as long as each other (3,675 vs 3,639mm), but the concept – built on a new-generation platform – is a bit wider and shorter.
The Jimny, as cheap as it was, never really excited anyone with its overall lack of ability, space and performance. Here’s hoping the iM-4 and the older iV-4 Vitara and Grand Vitara equivalent avoids can make amends.
Suzuki is also using the Geneva Motor Show to show off a compact hatchback concept known as the iK-2 that will go on sale in Europe in 2016.
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