RE: Five things we've learnt about the new Jimny
Discussion
Jim the Sunderer said:
Five-speed manual or a four-speed auto
It's not 1982.
If I recall correctly the old shape Nissan Note (2005 to 2007) came with a 5 speed manual or a 4 speed auto.It's not 1982.
I don't see what's wrong with a 4 speed auto if the ratios are sensible and are coupled to a clever computer who selects suitable ratios quickly.
TheInsanity1234 said:
If I recall correctly the old shape Nissan Note (2005 to 2007) came with a 5 speed manual or a 4 speed auto.
I don't see what's wrong with a 4 speed auto if the ratios are sensible and are coupled to a clever computer who selects suitable ratios quickly.
Yes, I don't see the issue with it really.I don't see what's wrong with a 4 speed auto if the ratios are sensible and are coupled to a clever computer who selects suitable ratios quickly.
If I was having one, I'd probably actually choose the auto
Jimmy Recard said:
Yes, I don't see the issue with it really.
If I was having one, I'd probably actually choose the auto
Dunno, an auto can blunt an already meagrely powered car. Yes, it makes life a little easier but I think this kind of car needs to be thrashed to within an inch of its life to get the most of it. If I was having one, I'd probably actually choose the auto
Love this though. A great antidote to a sea of bland, over-styled peusdo 4x4s.
king immense fun every single mile. skyrover said:
Ladder chassis, live axles, proper transfer case... Land rover are you listening!!!!
Yes to school run mums and scaffolders wives !! If you are really unlucky they will restart making the defender in some 3rd world country and ship a few back here mind LANDROVER in most languages means breaks down !!! sorry they would have a real uphill struggle to get even a tiny part of the workhorse market Toyota wiped them out in the 60s from most markets , and the final nail here was the double cab pick ups rated to tow 3.5 tons ...I like that. A lot. For different reasons:
Suzuki is doing well these days. The renewal of the Swift is positive, and the Ignis developed into something that doesn't look like it's driven by someone who hates cars. Also, the Jimny and the Ignis a sensibly retro in a Japanese-Suzuki kind of way.
The Jimny does not compete with Defenders, Landcruisers or the G - it's an offroad car that benefits from being simple, light and as robust as required. Just like Nintendo found its place with the x-box or playstation. Traditionally, the LJ80/SJ410/Samurai/Shogun/Jimny-family cars did very well off-road, because they did not get into trouble that had its root in a combination with large size or high weight.
Here's a comprehensive introduction video from Suzuki in Japanese: https://youtu.be/oG_tMMhtBGc They seem to really like it too.
Suzuki is doing well these days. The renewal of the Swift is positive, and the Ignis developed into something that doesn't look like it's driven by someone who hates cars. Also, the Jimny and the Ignis a sensibly retro in a Japanese-Suzuki kind of way.
The Jimny does not compete with Defenders, Landcruisers or the G - it's an offroad car that benefits from being simple, light and as robust as required. Just like Nintendo found its place with the x-box or playstation. Traditionally, the LJ80/SJ410/Samurai/Shogun/Jimny-family cars did very well off-road, because they did not get into trouble that had its root in a combination with large size or high weight.
Here's a comprehensive introduction video from Suzuki in Japanese: https://youtu.be/oG_tMMhtBGc They seem to really like it too.
powerstroke said:
es to school run mums and scaffolders wives !! If you are really unlucky they will restart making the defender in some 3rd world country and ship a few back here mind LANDROVER in most languages means breaks down !!! sorry they would have a real uphill struggle to get even a tiny part of the workhorse market Toyota wiped them out in the 60s from most markets , and the final nail here was the double cab pick ups rated to tow 3.5 tons ...
The problem with all the "See Land Rover - do this!!" is that the Jimny has carved out its own niche which it can exploit on its own terms. There are very few (if any) other kei-sized off-roaders out there. So the Jimny has a market all to itself in much of eastern Asia, plus the 'sunny tourist island car hire' sector in the West and a small but loyal following of enthusiasts and professional utility users. I know from my time in archaeology that Jimnys were very popular because they are cheap to run, light, can squeeze into places that a Defender can't, have genuine off-road ability and can carry enough in the way of tools and surveying equipment to be useful. The Defender (theoretically) operated in the 'half/one ton' utility market and on a global market was a complete irrelevance by the 1990s. The market is dominated by Japanese pick-ups and utilities such as the Land Cruiser and Patrol. Not only does the Defender have a deservedly appalling reputation for reliability and quality but even if it was built to the highest possible standards the design is simply too old. It's too slow, too ramshackle and didn't have the engines that the global market wanted. You can't fit a standard pallet between the wheel boxes (with the exception of the HCPU) and right to the end Land Rover were shipping them out without simple things like lash-down eyes in the load bed.
So if LR were to produce a modern Defender with a similar ethos as the new Jimny (chassis and live axles under a retro-modern square-cut body) it still wouldn't sell in large numbers. LR simply doesn't have the global production capacity to compete with Toyota (which made more Land Cruisers each year around the world than LR made Defenders in a decade). If the next-gen Defender was a very conventional, but very good, one-ton pick-up (like a Hilux, Range or Amarok with a green oval) then they might have a chance. But it would still require a concerted effort by Tata, backed by £billions over many years, to fund LR's global production, sales and distribution network to give it a fighting chance. LR explicitly backed away from the global utility market in the 1980s to focus on the more lucractive and attainable UK/Europe/USA recreational market and that sort of reach takes time and effort to build up. And there's no guarantee that any 'future Defender' will be up to snuff in terms of reliability and quality.
So why should LR take all this risk and effort when they can just go straight back to the market that was actually buying Defenders for the last decade of the model's life - the premium lifestyle accessory market? Plop a slightly boxy body on top of the platform for the Discovery with a couple of wheelbase options and watch the queues form around the block.
CDP said:
What I don't understand is why they aren't selling van and pickup derivatives. I can't imagine they don't make commercial versions for other markets. Surely the farmers, vets and other VAT registered businesses would appreciate the 20% saving?
Wouldn't be brilliant as a company car, but I've had the same thought as youCurrently on holiday, so missed this, but for what it's worth...
We have a Swift Sport and like the Suzuki simplicity/reliability/fun combination.
We are looking to replace a recently departed MX5 mk1 which was the wifes daily driver, and this article pops up.
So, when they're available, we'll be having one! Her only proviso - has to be in a bright colour.
Bravo Suzuki - keeping up the fun factor!
We have a Swift Sport and like the Suzuki simplicity/reliability/fun combination.
We are looking to replace a recently departed MX5 mk1 which was the wifes daily driver, and this article pops up.
So, when they're available, we'll be having one! Her only proviso - has to be in a bright colour.
Bravo Suzuki - keeping up the fun factor!
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