Safer Suzuki Jimny almost here

Suzuki's upgraded Jimny – the first to be fitted as standard with electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes – has received Australian Design Rule certification ahead of its local release in October.

The safer version of the long-running Jimny, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2010, also features a new-look grille, front bumper and bonnet (complete with air scoop), as well as updated instruments and other interior details.

There are no other changes to the time-honoured Japanese off-roader, which is not only one of the world's few remaining 'hard-core' compact SUVs, but Australia's cheapest 4x4.

At $19,990 drive-away, only Chinese brand Chery's front-wheel drive J11 SUV is cheaper than the existing Jimny Sierra three-door, which costs $20,490 plus on-road costs.

Fitted as standard with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, the 2015 Jimny therefore continues to be powered by a 62kW/110Nm 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, matched to either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.

Weighing just 1060kg in base form, the four-seat Jimny measures just 3695mm long (including its tailgate-mounted spare wheel) but offers 199mm of ground clearance and can tow up to 1300kg (350kg with an unbraked trailer).

Standard features on the new model include ESC, ABS, twin front airbags, 15-inch wheels and roof rails, while air-conditioning, power windows/mirrors, central locking and alloy wheels will be available.

While the release of an ESC-equipped Jimny extends the life of Suzuki's iconic small off-roader indefinitely, the small-car brand's launch of an all-new compact SUV based on the iV-4 concept based on the iV-4 concept has been delayed until early in the second quarter of next year.

The iV-4 concept debuted at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show and will be revealed in final production guise at this year's Paris show on October 2, when it could also be christened as the born-again 'Vitara' – a nameplate that dominated Australia's small 4x4 landscape alongside the Sierra in the 1980s and '90s.

The production iV-4 will closely follow the Australian launch of the all-new Celerio, which replaces Suzuki's bargain-basement Alto in the first quarter of next year.

While Australia's Celerio is expected to come from Thailand (not India, like the Alto), the production iV-4 – like the S-Cross on which it's based – will be produced in Hungary.

As with the S-Cross launched here last year, the production iV-4 should be powered by an 88kW/156Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine and (eventually) an 88kW/320Nm diesel, both matched to front-and all-wheel drivetrains, giving it broader appeal than 2WD-only compact SUVs like the Ford EcoSport, Holden Trax and Peugeot 2008.

Further afield, Suzuki Australia is still awaiting confirmation of a diesel-powered, automatic version of the petrol S-Cross, a replacement for its nine-year-old Grand Vitara and a belated successor for the large XL-7 seven-seat SUV.

Originally, the Celerio, production iV-4 and diesel S-Cross were all due on sale here by the end of this year, leaving the updated Jimny as Suzuki's only new release this year – apart from limited-editions.

However, Suzuki Australia's new general manager Andrew Moore says next year's new Celerio and all-new iV-4 will mark the start of a product offensive for the Japanese brand, which will include at least one new model every year between 2015 and 2019.

"You are about to see an explosion of Suzuki marketing with our sponsorship of the next hit series of The Block Glasshouse, while we are anticipating a strong finish to the 2014 NRL season by our premium partners, the Melbourne Storm," he said.

"It all augurs well for the model boom starting in 2015, with our new Celerio light car and the all-new iV-4 compact SUV. Those two cars are the first in a barrage of new product, including at least one or two new Suzuki models every year for the next five years."