3 Minutes
A Legendary 4x4 Marks Its Grand Finale
After over five decades of off-road adventure, the Suzuki Jimny is waving goodbye to Europe and the UK, forced out by tough new emissions regulations. Before it disappears, Suzuki France is giving fans one last chance with a truly exclusive release: the Jimny 55th Anniversary Edition. This limited swansong is available only in France, with just 55 individually numbered examples honoring 55 years of rugged 4x4 tradition.
Distinctive Design and Retro Appeal
The Jimny 55th Anniversary Edition stands out with unique retro-inspired styling touches. It sports eye-catching graphics, a classic heritage grille, and bold red mud flaps. Adding a playful touch, each vehicle’s spare tire cover features the silhouette of a rhino—an iconic symbol for the Jimny—emphasizing its strength and durability. The special edition is further personalized with a serialized plaque detailing the manual transmission’s shift pattern and transfer case positions, highlighting its pure mechanical character.
Four colors are on offer: Bluish Black, Jungle Green, Medium Gray, and White. Inside, comfort and style meet with heated seats, air conditioning, and Bluetooth-enabled audio, all based on the premium Privilège trim. Each unit includes a durable rubber cargo mat and floor mats—a nod to its hardworking, mud-friendly persona. To commemorate the edition, buyers receive a luxury logbook with an embossed leather cover and a matching Suzuki keychain.
Engine and Off-Road Capabilities
At the heart of the Jimny 55th Anniversary beats a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 gasoline engine, delivering 102 cv (101 hp) and 130 Nm (96 lb-ft) of torque. While not designed for record-breaking speed—its acceleration is modest—what truly matters is its legendary off-road capability. The Jimny’s traditional body-on-frame construction keeps weight down to just 1,090 kg (2,403 lbs), allowing for remarkable agility over rough terrains.
A true enthusiast’s machine, the anniversary model comes exclusively with a five-speed manual gearbox and a shift-on-the-fly transfer case. Drivers can select between 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (four-wheel drive high), and 4L (four-wheel drive low) for optimal performance on everything from city streets to rocky trails. Although open differentials might worry some off-roaders, Suzuki compensates with a smart traction control system that brakes spinning wheels, sending power to where it’s needed most. It’s a clever solution, serving as an effective alternative to traditional locking differentials.
Impressive Angles and Interior Technology
Designed for serious off-road challenges, the Jimny 55th Anniversary Edition boasts a class-leading set of approach, departure, and breakover angles: 37° up front, 49° at the rear, and 28° midship—making tricky obstacles a breeze. Inside, drivers benefit from the latest safety tech, including lane departure warning, lane change alert, automatic high-beam headlights, and traffic sign recognition.
Market Positioning and Competitive Edge
Priced at €28,955 (about $33,200), the Suzuki Jimny 55th Anniversary Edition is available strictly as a two-seat commercial vehicle. This not only allows Suzuki to sidestep certain emissions restrictions, but also strengthens the Jimny’s appeal as a practical, go-anywhere SUV for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Comparatively, its mix of retro allure, real off-road hardware, and rarity makes it unique in the compact SUV market—a space where few rivals deliver such a blend of classic style and authentic 4x4 performance.
With only 55 units to be delivered by June 2025, this is a rare chance for French fans and collectors to own a piece of Suzuki’s off-roading heritage—a fitting farewell to an automotive legend.
Source: autoevolution
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