Maruti Jimny Begins Replacing Gypsy For Border Patrolling Duties: First Pictures
Over the years, the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy has proved that it is one of the best off-roading vehicles ever used by the Indian Armed Forces. Now, taking over its legacy, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny has also been inducted into the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). Recently, it was announced that Maruti Suzuki has provided the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) with a total of 60 Maruti Suzuki Jimnys.
60 Maruti Suzuki Jimnys Inducted into CAPF
According to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, these new Maruti Suzuki Jimnys will be used in extreme conditions along the borders of Leh-Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
These Jimnys will help the ITBP in patrolling and border-guarding operations. The newly inducted Jimnys will also help in transporting officers and troops to high altitudes and rugged terrains.
For those who may not be aware, the ITBP operates in some of the harshest conditions. Normal vehicles will not be able to survive in these areas. Temperatures near the Indo-Tibetan border reach as low as -45 degrees. Additionally, the terrains of these areas are extremely hard to drive on. Thankfully, the Jimny, being a capable off-road vehicle, has been selected to be driven in such areas.
Commenting on the induction of the Maruti Suzuki Jimnys, Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited, stated, “Today is a proud moment for Maruti Suzuki as we deliver the Jimny to the ITBP. The Jimny is an ideal vehicle to navigate the tough border terrains where the ITBP personnel dedicatedly protect our country. The Jimny, with its tagline ‘Never Turn Back,’ also resonates with the determination and valour of our brave soldiers in uniform.”
He added, “Maruti Suzuki has a long-standing association with the Armed Forces, providing them with vehicles they can trust. The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy has been a trusted companion for the Armed Forces for decades, and now, with the Jimny, we take ahead this legacy to support our soldiers at the frontiers. With its internationally acclaimed all-terrain capability, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny represents our commitment to go above and beyond to assist the heroes who protect our great nation.”
Maruti Suzuki Jimny
The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is the newest lightweight off-roader from the brand. Unlike its international counterpart, the Jimny is offered with a five-door layout, which adds more practicality to this SUV. However, this is not the main reason why it has been selected for the CAPF. The reason it has been selected is due to its off-roading capabilities.
Maruti Suzuki offers the new Jimny with a dedicated 4X4 system—the AllGrip Pro 4WD system. Additionally, it also gets a low-range gearbox with 2WD-high, 4WD-high, and 4WD-low. Apart from these, the Jimny also comes with an electronic traction control system and a three-link rigid axle suspension for better stability on uneven terrains as well.
Powering this Jimny is a 1.5-litre engine that produces 105 bhp and 134 Nm of torque. This engine comes mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Currently, the Jimny for civilians starts at Rs 12.76 lakh and goes all the way up to Rs 14.97 lakh.
Maruti Suzuki Gypsy’s Legacy
Prior to the Jimny, Maruti Suzuki provided the Central Armed Police Forces and other units of the Armed Forces with the Gypsy. This vehicle became popular due to its lightweight build and extreme off-roading capabilities. The Gypsy was also offered with a soft top, which helped in the easy ingress and egress of military and police personnel. Also, their heavy equipment, such as machine guns and others, could be easily transported in this vehicle.