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We are still a week or so away from learning the full pricing and specification details for the incoming Suzuki Jimny five door, but that hasn't stopped orders flooding in.
In fact, the bigger, but still bite-sized, off-road SUV is emerging as auto's hottest ticket, with Suzuki in Australia already holding more than 1500 orders, before we even know the price.
It mirrors demand for the three-door variant, which remains on backorder as Suzuki works through the waiting list. After an eight-month sales pause, Suzuki unlocked 500 vehicles for sale in September – and all were purchased within five hours.
But there is good news afoot for the five-door variant. In fact, Suzuki tells CarsGuide sourcing the vehicle from India has unlocked new production capacity for our market, making it easier to work through any five-door waiting list.
"It's been huge," says Suzuki Australia's GM, Michael Pachota.
“We’ve currently got just over 2000 pre-orders nationally, with the number growing daily. When the pricing is released on Tuesday next week, I have no doubt that number will climb dramatically.
"But securing this vehicle from India has increased production capacity, and we see a real opportunity in Australia."
Initially touted for deliveries in quarter one, and most likely March, dealer demonstrators will be available in showrooms in late December, with the earliest customers set to receive their vehicles in "January at the latest".
Measuring in at 3985mm long, 1645mm wide and 1705mm tall – and riding on a 2590mm wheelbase –the five-door Jimny is 340mm longer than its three-door sibling, and 20mm lower.
The 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine (75kW/130Nm) looks set to carry over, as do the five-speed manual and four-speed automatic gearbox options.
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