2022 Suzuki Jimny Lite price and specs: $26,990 before on-road costs for cheaper 4×4

"Outstanding levels of interest" have seen Suzuki announce a price for the new 2022 Suzuki Jimny Lite earlier than expected: $26,990 before on-road costs.

The stripped-out Jimny comes in $1500 less than the fully-loaded, eponymous Jimny variant already on sale in Australia, which has attracted wait times of six to eight months across Suzuki showrooms nationwide.

For reference, that's also $3000 more than the Jimny's original retail price when it launched in Australia in early 2019 – owing to price rises in recent months.

As reported earlier this month, the Lite accounts for its price cut through 15-inch steel wheels and the fitment of a simple radio/CD player, rather than the more expensive model's 15-inch alloy wheels and 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

MORE: Cheaper 2022 Suzuki Jimny Lite confirmed for Australia, here by August

The Lite also features plastic-like side mirror caps, halogen projector headlights (rather than LED units), and the deletion of the flagship model's fog lights. The images also show climate control has been removed, though it's not clear whether the photos are representative of Australian-specification models.

Power comes from the same 75kW/130Nm 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol four-cylinder, though it's mated solely to a five-speed manual transmission – with the existing model's four-speed automatic off-limits in the base variant.

Jimny Lite buyers will have a choice of single-tone metallic paint for an additional $695, or $1295 for two-tone metallic paint. Available exterior colours include White, Jungle Green, Medium Grey, Chiffon Ivory, Kinetic Yellow and Brisk Blue – with the latter three available with a two-tone black roof.

Further details of the 2022 Suzuki Jimny Lite will be released on 1 July 2021 (this Thursday) through Suzuki's website, ahead of its official Australian sales launch on 1 August 2021.

Suzuki Australia claims 100 pre-orders were taken for the Jimny Lite in the week following its announcement, with general manager Michael Pachota outlining dealers' desires to learn pricing in a media statement.

"My phone has been ringing off the hook since we confirmed Jimny Lite last week. Dealers are keen to know pricing, ready to place pre orders to secure customer's places in the queue," he said.

"We will maintain the fair allocation process based on customer orders with a queue system as we have done with the current Jimny in 2021, making sure the next order in the queue gets the next car to hit Australian soil, every time."

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