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Suzuki details 2019 Jimny engine and safety specs

Last month, we were able to publish official images of the upcoming new generation Suzuki Jimny SUV. Now, Suzuki has released a detailed mega-gallery of the boxy 2019 Jimny and some essential information on its powertrain and safety tech. The big news is that the Jimny's introductory engine choice will be bigger than anticipated, as it will be the 1.5-liter, 100-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 96 pound-feet of torque. For the time being, no other powertrain options are available, and there's no word yet of a hybrid variant. The offered transmissions are a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic, and 4WD mode is switchable from a separate gear lever with high and low range. Curb weight is mentioned to be as low as 2400 pounds. As for the Jimny's safety, there's now automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning combined with "Weaving Alert," and also traffic sign detection — certainly high tech for a very small SUV. But it's outside the reach of any road signage where the Jimny is designed to shine, as the image gallery shows with photos of the vehicle off-road. The Jimny's approach angle is 37 degrees, the ramp breakover angle is 28 degrees and the departure angle a nice 49 degrees. The minimum ground clearance is mentioned to be roughly 8.3 inches. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Suzuki Jimny View 16 Photos News Source: Suzuki Suzuki SUV Off-Road Vehicles suzuki jimny

Toyota will roll out solid-state battery EVs globally in a couple of years

GANDHINAGAR, India — Japan's Toyota Motor will in a couple of years globally launch vehicles with solid-state batteries that charge faster and last longer, an executive said on Thursday at an investment summit in India. Solid-state batteries promise to dramatically improve the driving range of electric vehicles (EVs), a key element of a strategic pivot Toyota unveiled in June to make up ground lost to Tesla and Chinese rivals, such as BYD, in the EV race. Last year, Toyota and oil refiner Idemitsu Kosan said they would tie up to develop and mass produce all-solid-state batteries, which they aim to commercialize in 2027 and 2028, followed by full-scale mass production. "We will be rolling out our electric vehicles with solid state batteries in a couple of years from now," said Vikram Gulati, the India head of Toyota Kirloskar Motor. It "will be a vehicle which will be charging in 10 minutes, giving a range of 1,200 kms (750 miles) and life expectancy will be very good". Gulati was speaking at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit where one focus of the Indian government is attracting more investments to scale up EV manufacturing capacity in the world's third largest auto market. At the start of the summit on Wednesday, Japan's Suzuki Motor said its Indian subsidiary and Toyota partner Maruti Suzuki would export the group's first battery EV to Japan and Europe — marking the first time for Maruti to export to its parent company's home country. Electric models made up around 2% of India's car sales last year, but the government is targeting 30% by 2030 and India's road transport minister said at the summit he sees annual EV sales in India reaching 10 million vehicles by 2030. On Toyota's plans for solid-state batteries in India, Gulati said the carmaker had various sustainable technology options that would differ based on the country, market and customer preferences. "Right now, for India, flex fuel and ethanol can be a no-brainer right away," he added India's trade department has backed lowering taxes on hybrid vehicles to help the transition to cleaner energy sources, following demands by Japanese carmakers, Reuters has reported. Gulati said the Indian government should consider a carbon-based tax structure for cars, which would make it technologically agnostic and more equitable.  Green Lexus Suzuki Toyota Electric

Suzuki has to take out $45M loan just to shutter US dealers

Bloomberg reports American Suzuki is set to borrow up to $45 million to to close its automotive dealerships and freshen up its it motorcycle and marine business. Suzuki Motor Corporation will loan American Suzuki the funds at three percent below the London Interbank offered rate in order to offer dealer owners a cash payment in exchange for voluntarily abandoning franchise agreements. The company's 216 dealers have 10 days to make a decision on the matter. Under the plan, Suzuki would give dealer owners half of what they're owed in one lump sum, and the dealers would then be able to pursue the remaining debt through the company's bankruptcy procedure.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Scott C. Clarkson granted American Suzuki interim authority to borrow the funds, but Bloomberg reports the company will likely return to court in a few weeks to seek up to $100 million. According to Richard Pachulski, a lawyer for Suzuki America, the automaker may owe its dealers somewhere around $50 million.