Taguig City, 08 March 2019–With their surprise move of introducing the fourth-generation 2019 Jimny here today, just nine months after it was launched globally last year and four months before the date they had previously named for its commercial introduction, Suzuki Philippines seems to have crowd-sourced some heavy-hitting clout with the Japan head office both for and with the all-new 4×4 mini off-roader.
At the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) last October, they exhibited a handful of left-hand drive 2019 Jimny units because of what Suzuki Philippines general manager for automobiles Mr. Shuzo Hoshikura described as the thousands of inquires they had received asking if and when the new Jimny model would be introduced here–inquiries that were sparked by the speculations of a few aficionados after the new model was globally introduced last year. Pressed for when the Jimny would be available here in real commercial numbers, Hoshikura said in July or August, and at a base price of P1.1M.
Now, just nine months after the new model was introduced globally last June, after advanced orders they received at PIMS might have tipped the scales even further, and four months before Hoshikura’s promised arrival date in July at the soonest, Suzuki Philippines startles us once again with the early unveiling of the 2019 Jimny All-Grip Pro 4×4 off-roader. Unveiled and put on display at the Bonifacio High Street Ampitheater in Taguig City today until Sunday, March 10, the 2019 Jimny lists even lower than the initially promised price of PhP1.1M but notched above the P0.910 to P0.960M price of the previous generation model and with that All-Grip Pro label that distinguishes it from the previous model Jimny of which they might have some lingering stocks.
The Philippine-market Jimny’s AllGrip Pro label refers to Suzuki’s categorization of its four-wheel-drive drivelines (full-time all-wheel-drive AllGrip Auto, part-time all-wheel-drive AllGrip Select, and on-demand 4×4 low or high drive AllGrip Pro). And, like the previous generation Jimny, this new model is also assembled in and shipped over from Japan.
The 2019 Jimny AllGrip Pro will be available in the following variants and at the corresponding price points:
- GL 1.5L M/T in monotone finish at PhP0.975M
- GL 1.5L A/T in monotone finish at PhP1.035M
- GLX 1.5L A/T in monotone finish at PhP 1.085M
- GLX 1.5L A/T in two-tone finish at PhP1.095M
To replace the current Dzire’s auto-shifting feature on the top-end GL variant is the new model’s Auto Gear Shift (AGS) system, a.k.a. an Automatic Manual Transmission (AMT). Actually less sophisticated than the 4-speed conventional automatic gearbox of the previous Dzire model, this AMT variant basically takes the Dzire’s manual transmission variant and removes the manual clutch pedal and mechanical stick shift, replacing these with an electro-mechanical Magneti Marelli auto-shifting module.
Strong/stable front: Steering is light and predictable even when going downhill, braking and then turning. The Super Carry’s signature tension rods shape the wheel mounts into strong tripods, preventing the front wheels from being pushed back in those turns, protecting the intended caster and camber, and stabilizing her on tight curves as well as on fast straightaways.
Adaptive rear: With load compensating suspension and brakes in the rear (features typical on larger truck segments), the Super Carry does a decent job of keeping all four wheels planted under hard braking and vigorous turning. About 75% of leaf spring tension is online, all the time, with the other 25% implemented with a partial/floating bottom leaf that comes into play only when the mini-truck takes on a heavy load, or when doing some G-pulling turns. Braking is intuitive and predictable with the ventilated discs up front complemented by standard drums in the rear featuring Load Sensing Proportioning Valves (LSPVs)–LSPV maintains braking traction on the rear tires even when there’s little or no cargo to tamp down the back.
They seemed to ask, “what if we make her boxy in back with a fourth pair of pillars?” Adding the Ertiga’s D pillars to the Swift’s A, B, and C pairs creates generous vertical cargo space in back.
The Ertiga’s third seating row, what defines it as an MPV, splits 50/50 with either or both sides folding down flush into a flat deck. With that third row fully stowed, the Ertiga is configured as a tall station-wagon with generous leg-room in the second row.
Heavier, longer and taller than the Swift hatchback, the Ertiga MPV compensates with its larger wheelbase geometry—longer by 31cm, as mentioned, and wider by 0.5cm on its front and rear treads. And, going under that increased weight on the coil-sprung strut-suspension is ground clearance they’ve thoughtfully upped by 1.5cm.
On the top-spec Ertiga with its 4-speed automatic transmission there seems to be moderate slippage in the torque converter, this to multiply torque when you need it. Rolling out with 2000rpm and then accelerating with higher revs at around 2500rpm triggers upshifts conventionally at 20km/h increments—going through 20, 40 and then 60km/h to finally reach an overdrive fourth gear. The lock-up clutch kicks in after another 20km/h increment at 80. After accelerating up to cruise, throttling it down to 2000rpm will keep you moving at 80km/h while a higher 2500rpm will put you at the 100km/h legal limit.
All-in-all, the Ertiga with her K14B engine and 4-speed automatic gearbox handled and performed similarly to the 
In fact, the air-conditioning is so strong that you’ll appreciate their keeping the heater feature meant for wintered markets. Even in the summer heat, the air-con makes the interior so cold that condensation can build up and leave moisture deposits in the vents—causing mildew build-up after a while. To flush out the unpleasant smell, switch off the AC, flip her into heater mode and run the blowers full blast for a few minutes. End of the exercise, the interior will smell bone-dry clean again.
