Suzuki may reconsider its position and release an electric Jimny: a prototype was spotted during tests, but the company has not officially confirmed the project.
Back in 2023, Suzuki showed plans to launch an electric SUV with a Jimny silhouette as part of its strategy until 2030. However, in 2024, company president Toshihiro Suzuki stated that an electric version was impossible. According to him, batteries and electric motors would "spoil" the model's key quality – lightness. Hybrid versions were also ruled out at that time.
Now the situation has changed. In 2026, a photo of a camouflaged Jimny undergoing winter tests appeared online. The car received a closed radiator grille – a characteristic sign of electric vehicles. This could indicate the development of a fully electric version or a new variant of the model.
The prototype retains its ladder frame construction and, presumably, a solid front axle. This means that even an electric Jimny could retain its off-road capabilities, including suspension articulation and low-speed control.
The image shows a four-door version manufactured in India. Such versions are already exported to various regions, so a potential electric car would not necessarily be a local product.
The appearance of an electric Jimny would allow the model to return to Europe, where sales ceased in 2025. Technical details are still unknown, but a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system would logically be expected.