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Suzuki Jimny LCV is a bare-bones two-seater

The Suzuki Jimny is a truly versatile vehicle, and we don't just mean in its prodigious off-road capabilities. Turns out, the compact 4x4 can be configured in a variety of ways to skirt the road tax rules and enthusiast demands of various markets, making it an even more desirable proposition for a budget four-wheeler. The latest variant arrives in the form of the Jimny LCV for the U.K. market. That stands for Light Commercial Vehicle, and as such it's not subject to the same strict emissions rules as passenger cars. It also means that it doesn't come with any rear seats, expanding the cargo area to just a hair over 30 cubic feet. In fact, the U.K.'s emissions laws were so strict, Suzuki was forced to take the Jimny off the market in early 2020. After a year's hiatus, this workaround was the only way to bring the popular SUV back to old Blighty. There's only one trim level to the Jimny LCV. It comes with solid colors, but you can order metallic or two-tone paint for an extra charge, its only option. As with most LCVs, there's a safety partition separating the cargo from the front seats. Compared to the passenger version with all seats folded flat, there's an extra 1.2 cubic feet of hauling space. The Jimny LCV might just be the latest version, but it's not the only one. There's already a narrow-body and small displacement version to qualify it as a kei car in its native Japan. Also, there's the recently announced Jimny Lite to serve as a blank canvas for enthusiasts who want to build their own rig. Like the Jimny Lite, the Jimny LCV comes with analog climate controls as opposed to digital, a traditional stereo in place of a touchscreen, halogen headlights instead of LED, 15-inch steel wheels instead of aluminum and a five-speed manual as the only transmission option. It differs from the cost-saving Lite, however, in that the LCV retains its fog lamps. Of course, it the LCV still retains the things that make it a great off-roader, including the ladder-frame construction, solid front and rear axles, and low-range gearing. In essence, it's a wink to true enthusiasts who missed their chance to get a Jimny prior to 2020. Suzuki U.K. says that it will be "available in very limited numbers" for 2021. So, if you live there and want a new Jimny, the four-wheeling gods have given you a rare second chance. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Toyota, Honda, Nissan and more collaborating to increase fuel efficiency

Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Daihatsu have announced an alliance that will see a push to improve fuel economy from both gas-powered and diesel-powered engines by as much as 30 percent before the end of the decade.
The newly assembled Research Association of Automotive Internal Combustion Engines put the roughly $20-million project together, with the Japanese government committing to half the cost while the eight manufacturers will chip in the rest.
According to Automotive News, the automakers will team up and share basic research on internal-combustion engines in a bid to cut costs. Eventually, the results of the research will find its way into a production vehicle, although it's unclear just when we'll see the fruits of this partnership on the road.

Question of the Day: Most heinous act of badge engineering?

Badge engineering, in which one company slaps its emblems on another company's product and sells it, has a long history in the automotive industry. When Sears wanted to sell cars, a deal was made with Kaiser-Frazer and the Sears Allstate was born. Iranians wanted new cars in the 1960s, and the Rootes Group was happy to offer Hillman Hunters for sale as Iran Khodro Paykans. Sometimes, though, certain badge-engineered vehicles made sense only in the 26th hour of negotiations between companies. The Suzuki Equator, say, which was a puzzling rebadge job of the Nissan Frontier. How did that happen? My personal favorite what-the-heck-were-they-thinking example of badge engineering is the 1971-1973 Plymouth Cricket. Chrysler Europe, through its ownership of the Rootes Group, was able to ship over Hillman Avanger subcompacts for sale in the US market. This would have made sense... if Chrysler hadn't already been selling rebadged Mitsubishi Colt Galants (as Dodge Colts) and Simca 1100s as (Simca 1204s) in its American showrooms. Few bought the Cricket, despite its cheery ad campaign. So, what's the badge-engineered car you find most confounding? Chrysler Dodge Automakers Mitsubishi Nissan Suzuki Automotive History question of the day badge engineering question