The iron rhino

Started with a small scale factory named Hope Motor Company that develop a small 4 wheel-drive called Hopestar ON360. The vehicle equiped with 2 in-line cylinder 359cc, 2-stroke with mitsubishi’s air cooler. Unfortunately, this ON360 got only a few response in Japan’ market. Only 50 units were sold, 20 units around Japan and the rest of it were outside Japan.

            In 1968, szuki officialy bought the design and production rights from the Hope Motor Company. The factory that was built by Michio Suzuki immediately do some development. This vehicle called LJ Brute still used the same engine, chasis, and gear set from Hopestar. But, the Suzuki’s engineers have upgraded the 2-stroke ME24 coded engine from 21hps to 24hps. They also repaired the lubrication system, so the owner never been bothered by the mixed gasoline.

            The Suzuki 4 wheel-drive vehicle actually was born in 1970. The first generation known as Jimny 360 or LJ10 a.k.a Suzuki Brute. The face-lift made a great market response even in the America’s and canada’s market.

            The LJ20 was introduced 2 years after the LJ10 launched. Air cooler engine replaced with the water cooler engine without changing its capasities. To answer the under power problem from LJ20, Suzuki published the LJ50 or Jimny 550 variant to public in 1974. It was equiped with 2-stroke 539cc 3-cylinder engine which could burst 33hps out.

            In the year 1977, the 797cc SOHC 4-stroke 4 in-line cylinder engine was introduced as the heart of SJ20. This new model engine was proved to be more efficient in fuel consumption, better performance, and also has low emition.

            In 1982, the iron rhino dah a dramatic design change with the born of SJ410. With the bigger dimension came along with the bigger engine, the 970cc 4-cylinder SOHC. As its ancestor, this one improved fast.

            On its development, they release the canvas and fiberglass roof option in 1983 – 1985 with a local nickname called Jimny Sierra. This second generation vehicle was going global. In Australia it was known as Holden Drover, meanwhile in India it was called Maruti Gypsy. In Japan, they produced the SJ30 variant which is made using the SJ410 platform but still equiped with the 2-stroke 539cc 3-cylinder engine.

            Hard suspension, light-weight body, and the axles tend to narrow made this vehicle easily rolled. This issue had became one of the trigger for increased number of accidents in USA. To response the issue, in 1983 born the famous SJ413 a.k.a Samurai, equiped with stronger engine and widder axle.

            The Samurai that then became a legend in everywhere, especialy in USA. Once there was an issue that there was an attempt to subvert the Samurai market by one of the big three. Rumors said that they tried to sabotage Samurai’s market by hiring a stuntman to make a fake roll over accident in the highway. This vehicle safetyness became doubtfull.

            But it’s not Suzuki if they lack of innovation, the development of 4-wheel drive not just stop on Jimny. The SE416 appearance in 1988, the first Suzuki’s SUV had equiped with front independent suspesion and rear rigid axle with spiral spring. It was a major step in the 4 wheel-drive innovation.

In europe and Australia, the SE416 known as Vitara. While for US’ market named Sidekick, in asia it called Escudo. And as Asuna Sunrunner for Canada’s and south pacific’s market.

            Once again, the horn of the iron rhino become sharper. This huge success on the SE series required more attention, especially the North America’s market. So, Suzuki made a cooperation with the General Motors producing the GM version Sidekick named Chevrolet Geo Tracker, GMC Tracker, and Pontiac Sunrunner. This SUV was like a root from all Suzuki’s SUVs until now.

Hopestar ON360

First generation (1970 – 1979)

1970: LJ10 (2-cylinder 2-stroke 360cc mitsubishi air cooled FB engine)

1972: LJ20 (2-cylinder 2-stroke 360cc water cooled L50 engine)

1976: SJ10/Jimny 55 (3-cylinder 2-stroke 550cc LJ50 engine)

1977: SJ20/Jimny 8/LJ80 (SOHC 4-cylinder 4-stroke 797cc F8A engine)

Second generation (1981 – 1998)

      1981: SJ30/Jimny 550 (3-cylinder 2-stroke 550cc LJ50 engine)

Suzuki LJ10

      1982: SJ40/Jimny 1000 (SOHC 4-cylinder 4-stroke 970cc F10A I4 engine)

1982: SJ410 (half-door convertible,pickup truck, 2-door hardtop, raised-roof hardtop, and no-glass hardtop)

1984: SJ413/Jimny 1300/JA51/Samurai (SOHC 4-cylinder 1300cc G13BA engine)

1986: JA71/Jimny 550 turbo (SOHC 3-cylinder turbo engine)

1986: 4-stroke F5A turbocharger engine released for JA71

1987: adding intercooler for JA71

      1990: JA11/Jimny 660 (SOHC 3-cylinder turbo engine)

Suzuki SJ410

      1992: automatic transmision released

      1993: JB31/Jimny 1300

      1995: JA12/Jimny 660 (SOHC 700cc F6A engine)

      1995: JA22 (DOHC 660cc K6A engine)

      1995: JB32/Jimny 1300

      1997: air lock hub released

Third generation

      1998: JB23/Jimny 660 (3-cylinder 658cc K6A engine)

      1998: JB33/Jimny Wide (4-cylinder 1298cc G13B engine)

      2000: JB43/Jimny Wide Sierra (4-cylinder 1328cc M13A engine)