Friday 28th April 2023

Twisted confirms new Suzuki Jimny venture

Twisted makes its first car that isn't a Land Rover Defender - what else could it be?

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When you think about it, there’s quite a lot that links the old Land Rover Defender with the Suzuki Jimny. Both are rugged off-roaders, both have a very loyal following, both enjoy unmistakeable looks and both benefit from a diverse aftermarket scene. Now there’s one more thing that’ll be common to Defender and Jimny: they’re both going to be the subject of Twisted variants.

For the first time in 21 years, Twisted is going to build a car that isn’t a Land Rover Defender. And you can't fault the firm for spying the potential (even if it's been well beaten to the punch by others in Japan). There isn’t much information on the project available yet - we're very much in teaser territory - we can expect the sort of chassis, engine and design upgrades that have come to characterise Twisted Defenders. Certainly, if the render is anything to go by, the little Suzuki will be beefed up on off-road tyres with additional body cladding.

Initially, the Twisted Jimny will be built from the two-seat LCV model that extended the car’s life in the UK after the standard car was taken off sale. However, Twisted says additional variants ‘haven’t been ruled out’. Whichever Jimny is converted, Twisted founder and MD Charles Fawcett is promising “more engaging handling and power delivery” alongside the cosmetic upgrades. There’s even going to be additional soundproofing fitted, which will be welcomed by anyone who’s had to do a long journey in a standard car. Twisted is working with Front Runner on the project, and will offer individual modifications to suit customer requirements as well as full conversions.

Fawcett added: “The Suzuki Jimny feels like a natural addition to the Twisted stable and will appeal to anti-ordinary people of all ages that want to inject fun into their day-to-day driving. We’re raring to work on what we’ve nicknamed the ‘Little Twisted’.” Additional information on specification is due later in 2023, though don’t hang around if you fancy one - apparently there are only limited build slots. Little Twisted is expected to cost less than £50,000 plus VAT, because that’s another thing shared between Jimny and Defender - neither of them come cheap…

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• 2021 Suzuki Jimny LCV | PH Review
• 2022 Twisted Defender T-VS | PH Review

[Miura Anjin]

Another thing the old Landy and Jimny have in common: 88" wheelbase.
Hard to believe looking at the behemoths emerging from Solihull now.

[blearyeyedboy]

This makes a lot of sense if you're Twisted. When the supply of old Land Rovers runs out- which it eventually will- it will need to diversify.

I'd be curious to see what they can do with other manufacturers' products. There's no reason it has to work solely on off-road vehicles either...

Good luck to them.

[coppice]

I will keep my eyes open for the latest Twisted product , as they are five minutes walk away from home . Not my sort of stuff, but they undoubtedly do it very well. For any Twisted fans visiting Thirsk, I see they now have a cafe in the showroom .

[Pflanzgarten]

I’m just not sure the Jimny will appeal to the hoorays that but Twisteds at present.

[plumslikerocks]

Shame there’s no new Yetis to receive this treatment….

[Phooey]

"Little Twisted is expected to cost less than £50,000 plus VAT"

For a car that is 20k (inc Vat) I don't think Twisted has got a cat in hells chance of selling these at anywhere near 60k (inc Vat). You just wouldn't..

[BeastieBoy73]

How difficult is it to put the rear windows and seat in one of these?

[Speedgirl]

Anti-cool

[Bill]

Phooey said:

"Little Twisted is expected to cost less than £50,000 plus VAT"

For a car that is 20k (inc Vat) I don't think Twisted has got a cat in hells chance of selling these at anywhere near 60k (inc Vat). You just wouldn't..

The world seems to have gone utterly bonkers though, so who knows?!?

[Raccaccoonie]

What a bargain in these times, 50k that is a couple of loafs of bread .

[Teddy Lop]

Phooey said:

"Little Twisted is expected to cost less than £50,000 plus VAT"

For a car that is 20k (inc Vat) I don't think Twisted has got a cat in hells chance of selling these at anywhere near 60k (inc Vat). You just wouldn't..

Hmm, first thing I thought on the title was "recession special"

[mooseracer]

Phooey said:

"Little Twisted is expected to cost less than £50,000 plus VAT"

For a car that is 20k (inc Vat) I don't think Twisted has got a cat in hells chance of selling these at anywhere near 60k (inc Vat). You just wouldn't..

I'd bet they have no problem shifting them.

[C70R]

Miura Anjin said:

Another thing the old Landy and Jimny have in common: 88" wheelbase.
Hard to believe looking at the behemoths emerging from Solihull now.

I don't know how to break this to you, but "Solihull" have been making "behemoths" for quite some time now...

[The Driving God]

Quality.
A speed stripe and a set of wheels/tyres.

I’d rather drop mine off at Halfords

[findlay_MX]

If I'm spending £50k on a Jimny I'd damn sure want the BF A/T tyre on the spare wheel, too!

[cookie1600]

blearyeyedboy said:

I'd be curious to see what they can do with other manufacturers' products.

That will be the Ineos Grenadier then? Probably £Eleventy million + tax.......

Edited by cookie1600 on Thursday 27th April 09:30

[DonkeyApple]

Sounds like it should be fun. Nice little cars and huge scope for rounding off all the rough edges.

Basically, a replacement for the Renault 5 Monaco.

[Bobupndown]

Surprised they aren't doing the new Defender. Or has landrover managed to make that expensive enough without any aftermarket assistance?

[Filibuster]

BeastieBoy73 said:

How difficult is it to put the rear windows and seat in one of these?

It already has rear windows. But the rear seats will be difficult...
While I'm sure it can be done from a technical pov, you aren't allowed to.

I don't know how much of a problem this is in the uk, but here in Switzerland you be properly fked if you'd have an accident and someone in the not allowed rear seats is hurt. Also it may be tax fraud to have a LCV that is used as a car. Many hypotheticals and 20 years ago I wouldn't have cared for these kind of things, but nowadays (maybe due to age, maybe times have changed) I can't be arsed to have non conforming mods on my cars.

[ch37]

After the various mega-SUV articles of recent weeks this brought a much-needed smile.