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Lucky Australians get super-limited Suzuki Jimny Heritage Edition

Every time the Suzuki Jimny comes up, people in the U.S. throw around phrases like “forbidden fruit” and words like “unobtanium.” Still, the automakerÂ’s newest off-roader may be impossible to get, even for people in markets where itÂ’s sold. The new Jimny Heritage Edition will soon be available in Australia, but its super-limited numbers will make it one of the rarest pint-sized off-roaders yet. Suzuki said it would only build 300 of the retro-inspired Jimnys. The companyÂ’s Australian website shows four colorways, including green, white, grey, and black, each accented by red and orange graphics and red mudflaps. Heritage decals and a unique cargo tray round out the look. The Heritage Edition gets the same 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that the standard Jimny and Jimny Lite get, which produces around 100 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque. Suzuki offers a four-speed automatic transmission in other variants, but the Heritage comes exclusively with a five-speed manual gearbox. The JimnyÂ’s ultra-compact size, short wheelbase, and almost nonexistent front and rear overhangs make it a surprisingly capable off-roader. Utility vehicles have ballooned in size here in the States, and while we never got the Jimny, we did get oddities like the Geo/Chevy Tracker before the market went wild on luxo-barge SUVs. The Heritage Edition builds on the GLX trim, the most “luxurious” variant, if you can call it that. The trim gets a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, LED headlights, a rearview camera, fog lights, and even some advanced driver aids. Though small and somewhat basic, the Jimny Heritage Edition can be upgraded with several options and accessories. Suzuki offers skid plates, cargo accessories, premium speakers, and even an $1,800 (AUD) 15-inch wheel kit. Pricing starts at AUD 33,490, or $22,591, a few thousand more than the base Jimny. White is the only standard paint color, however, so lucky buyers will have to shell out an additional $695 for one of the other hues. Related Video

Toyota, Suzuki partner on hybrids, EVs, building cars for each other

NAGOYA, Japan — Toyota and Suzuki on Wednesday said they planned to produce electric vehicles and compact cars for each other to better compete with fast-changing technologies in the global auto industry. The agreement follows an initial R&D tie-up announced by Japan's No. 1 and No. 4 automakers in 2017, and will see more vehicles produced by Suzuki for Toyota, one of the world's biggest carmakers. Although Suzuki is far smaller, it is a dominant force in the fast-growing Indian market. The two automakers have been pooling their strengths. Toyota is a leader in hybrid technology and is investing heavily in automated driving, while Suzuki specializes in affordable compact cars — as many automakers struggle to keep pace with ballooning investment in EVs and self-driving cars. Under the latest agreement, Suzuki will source gasoline hybrid systems for cars it sells worldwide from Toyota, which pioneered hybrid vehicles with the Prius more than 20 years ago, the companies said in a joint statement. In return, Suzuki will produce two compact models for Toyota in India based on its Ciaz and Ertiga models. Further cooperation with Suzuki will help Toyota expand its presence in India, the world's fifth-largest passenger car market where it has struggled to grow sales due to lean demand for its lower-cost models. The deepening partnership between the two automakers will enable cost-conscious Suzuki to tap into Toyota's R&D firepower to develop lower-emission vehicles and self-driving cars — areas which Suzuki has admitted it is struggling to keep up. "We believe that the expansion of our business partnership with Suzuki ... will help give us the competitive edge we will need to survive this once-in-a-century period of profound transformation," Toyota President Akio Toyoda said in a statement. The two automakers will deepen their cooperation in India, where Suzuki's hybrid vehicles will be made using engines and batteries locally produced by Toyota. They will also join forces in Europe, where Toyota will produce electric vehicles based on its RAV4 SUV crossover and Corolla wagon for Suzuki, while Suzuki will supply Toyota with gasoline engines for compact vehicle models sold in the region. Suzuki will also produce its Baleno, Vitara Brezza, Ciaz, and Ertiga models for Toyota which will be rebranded and renamed as Toyota models for the African market.

Suzuki teases iK-2 and iM-4 concepts set to debut at Geneva

While it may be true that Suzuki no longer sells its models in the US, the Japanese brand is still motoring along and quite popular in the rest of the world, including Europe. The Japanese company just teased two concepts to premiere at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, but hasn't revealed much about them yet. First up is the iM-4 concept (pictured above), which Suzuki describes as an "iconic mini 4x4." Given that the next-gen Jimny (better known in the US as the Samurai) is supposed to go on sale in 2017, this vehicle might be the first future glimpse of the little offroader. The company reportedly wants to keep the new model close in spirit to the current one, while updating its aging design. The iK-2 concept (right inset) is a bit more mysterious. Suzuki calls it "an ideal compact sized car." Based on the brand's European range, it could preview a look for a future version of the Swift. We should know much more about both of them when the Geneva show begins in March. SUZUKI UNVEILS iK-2 AND iM-4 CONCEPT MODELS AT THE 85TH GENEVA MOTOR SHOW 06/02/15 Suzuki Motor Corporation will display two world-premiere concept models at the 85th Geneva Motor Show next month. iK-2 The iK-2 is an ideal compact sized car, developed with an innovative theme of "Harmonised Force". By combining all of the key elements expected in a car of this size the new model raises compact car values to the limit. iM-4 The iM-4 is an iconic mini 4x4 developed with a concept theme of "Shape the Inspiration". It is an all-new proposal from Suzuki, packed with its compact 4x4 DNA and new technologies as well as distinctive styling that will give real inspiration to drivers. Detailed information will be disclosed at the Suzuki press conference, scheduled on Tuesday, 3rd March 2015 at 11:15 am , On stand 4251, in hall 4 A special website is available on http://www.globalsuzuki.com/geneva2015/