Suzuki Jimny given $30,000 retro US-inspired makeover by Japanese firm
With a chrome bumper, grille, and wheels inspired by 1970s US four-wheel-drives, this modified Jimny wouldn’t look out of place on a Californian beach. But it comes at a price.
A Japanese tuning company has unveiled a $30,000 body kit that makes a Suzuki Jimny look like a 1970s US four-wheel-drive.
Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this month, the body kit – unveiled by Cal’s Motor sub-brand of Japanese firm Alpine Style – is reminiscent of a 1970s Chevrolet K5 Blazer SUV.
Named the Beas, the package swaps out the standard front fascia of the Suzuki Jimny for a chrome grille with square headlights on either side, replaces the standard black bumper for a chrome unit, and adds retro fog lights mounted beneath.
The factory 15-inch alloy wheels are swapped out for classic-looking chrome wheels, wrapped in Toyo Open Country all-terrain tyres.
At the rear, a chrome bumper replaces the standard car's black bumper and includes four circular tail-lights.
Inside, the seats are trimmed in leather, with unique stitching.
Two versions of the body kit are available: the Beas, intended for the regular Jimny in Japan – which has shorter bumpers and no wheel-arch flares to fit within Japanese 'kei car' rules, and be eligible for lower tax rates – and the Beas+ for the Jimny Sierra, which is the version sold by Suzuki in Australia.
Pricing starts at 2.98 million yen ($AU31,000) for the Beas and 3.18 million yen ($AU33,000) for the Beas+.
Cal’s Motor has given the US-inspired treatment to another Japanese car – the Toyota HiAce van.
It is designed for the 'old' flat-nose HiAce dating back to 2005 – which has been axed in Australia but remains available in Japan – rather than the new 'semi-bonneted' HiAce sold in Australia since 2019.
Named the Carica, the HiAce body kit includes uniqu front and rear styling – with chrome bumpers and square headlights – plus two-tone paint, whitewall tyres, and chrome wheels.
Priced from 5.68 million yen ($AU59,000), the Carica can also be had with an optional camping package.