UK-based Land Rover Defender modification specialist Twisted Automotive has set its sights on the Suzuki Jimny, with the company announcing that, for the first time in its 21-year history, it will release off-road tuning packages for a vehicle other than the Defender.
“The Suzuki Jimny feels like a natural addition to the Twisted stable and will appeal to anti-ordinary people of all ages that want to inject fun into their day-to-day driving,” explained Charles Fawcett, Founder and Managing Director of Twisted. “We’re raring to work on what we’ve nicknamed the ‘Little Twisted’.”
“The much-loved Suzuki Jimny is a pure, proper little offroader. It’s evocative, engaging, and endearing. It’s almost a miniature Defender with similar architecture, driveline and analogue feel.”
“My first 4×4 was a Land Rover 109, shortly followed by a brown Suzuki SJ (the Jimny’s predecessor). I adored it. A few years later, I had a little LJ80. Land Rover runs through my veins, but I’m lucky enough to have fond memories of other simple 4x4s. The Jimny is one of the very few vehicles still in production with the same driving essence as when its predecessors were launched over 40 years ago. It still makes every journey fun and induces an immediate smile.”
“A Jimny from Twisted will have more engaging handling and power delivery”
The ‘Little Twisted’ will be based on the (two-seater) LCV (light commercial vehicle) variant of the Jimny. This derivative is, of course, not available in South Africa. However, the LCV is equipped with the same K15B 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine found in its stablemates, and it features a five-speed manual cog swapper.
Specific technical details of the Twisted modifications will be released as the development vehicles are signed off later in 2023. However, Fawcett added, “A Jimny from Twisted will have more engaging handling and power delivery, utilising our Twisted wheel and tyre package along with honed progressive suspension. It will benefit from extensive soundproofing, upgraded media interface, audio system and our signature custom interior.” The firm has also been working with Front Runner to supply and fit accessories to the converted Jimny.
According to Twisted, indicative pricing for the ‘Little Twisted’ will come in below £50 000, which, at the current Rand-Pound exchange rate, amounts to (less than) R1 148 168 per build . Alongside full builds, Twisted has confirmed it will tailor customers’ vehicles. As mentioned, Twisted’s initial offering will be the Jimny (LCV). However, the firm hasn’t ruled out additional variants.
Watch our review of the Jimny here.
