The current Suzuki Jimny is in a very strange position. It was initially designed as a retro homage to snack-sized Suzukis of old, but now finds itself as retro in its own right by simply due to the fact that it still exists after being in production, almost unchanged, for nearly 20 years.
It's a neat, capable, iconic little micro SUV, drowning gleefully in its own layers of self-reference.
And it doesn't look like that's about to change if these leaked images of its long-awaited 2019 replacement are anything to go by. The images reportedly stem from an internal company presentation about their future models, and look similar to the first leaked images of the now released Suzuki Swift.
Thankfully the Jimny continues to reference the past, via a bunch of different styling cues. Things like the five-slat grill, round headlights, and the compact, boxy shape all make this instantly recognizable as a Jimny.
Not that it's surprising that the Japanese manufacturer stuck with the retro theme, considering just how many cheeky little references they packed into the design of the new Ignis. The retro vibes continue inside, where a boxy and upright dash houses some mega cool looking dials behind the steering wheel and other old-school switch gear. The infotainment screen is one of the few modern touches.
It's been reported elsewhere that the Jimny will still utilize body-on-frame architecture, which will also be good news for those who like venturing into the rough stuff. The chassis is expected to be paired with Suzuki's AllGrip Pro all-wheel drive system, too.
Off-road capabilities have always been the Jimny's strong point, going back through the history of Suzuki's entry-level off roader to the Samurai and the Stockman. So, trudging through the great outdoors is an area where the Jimny must excel.
Engines and pricing are still to be confirmed, but we'll keep tabs on it over the coming months.
