The funky little Suzuki Jimny is as capable off-road as a huge Mercedes Benz G-Class, but due to its compact size, it is also well-suited to city life. Suzuki Cars Malaysia has just posted a teaser image for a special Rhino Edition Jimny on its Facebook page in order to tempt the many Jimny diehards out there.
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Like in all teasers, the primary character is obscured in darkness, but the post does provide small hints as to what this new Jimny will look like. The 3-door rhinoceros spec is a throwback that most Jimny enthusiasts would associate with, not the 5-door model that was recently debuted in India.
The original Jimny Rhino connection first forged in the UK
It’s easy enough to find a myriad of items with a rhinoceros logo if you browse the Jimny aftermarket scene. The association between the horned beast and the little off-roader was first forged in the UK in the 1980s when the second-generation Jimny was released there.
Before the 1982 Birmingham Motor Show, Suzuki shipped units of the off-roader with plastic spare wheel covers bearing a drawing of a rhino to its British distributors. The distributors favored the animal and had it redrawn with the rhinoceros which symbolizes toughness and dependability.
![](https://carlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Carlist_Jimny-1-1600x934.jpg)
The rest, as they say, is history, and the rhinoceros has subsequently appeared as the de facto emblem on the Jimny. There may have been a few limited-edition Jimnys with the rhino logo over the years, especially in the UK, but the most recent one was unveiled in South Africa.
The South African-spec Rhino Edition only offers aesthetic modifications with bespoke rhino decals, a soft spare wheel cover with the rhino logo, a Suzuki Heritage grille, red Suzuki mud flaps, and rain and wind deflectors.
It appears probable that the teased Malaysian-spec Jimny Rhino Edition may employ the same kit as the South African version. As the upgrades are only cosmetic, the same naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre 4-cylinder producing 102ps will likely remain as will the 4-speed automatic transmission.
In Malaysia, the Suzuki Jimny is distributed through Naza Eastern Motors and is available in one trim, that being the Jimny 1.5-litre automatic priced from RM 174,900.
OUR THOUGHTS
The Jimny Rhino Edition has been a popular spec for years and the new one will no doubt re-ignite a new wave of interest in the very capable. For those contemplating a Jimny—we highly recommend one. For the money, there are compact off-roaders that can match what this funky little Suzuki can do.