THE STORY OF JIMNY: JA12/JA22 The Narrow Track Coilies

JA12 and JA22 were the kei car versions of the Coily SJ Series Jimny sold in Japan from late 1995 to 1998. The models were sold alongside the JB32 Jimny Sierra, the more expensive non-kei car Jimny for the Japanese Domestic Market.

1995 – JA12/JA22 Type I

The JA12/JA22 Jimny were first introduced to the Japanese Domestic market (JDM) in November 1995 as a replacement of the JA11 Jimny660.

The JA12 used an improved version of the F6A engine with turbocharger and intercooler, now able to churn out 64PS of power and 10kgm of torque.

The JA22 on the other hand, was powered by an all-new engine. It was the all-aluminium four-stroke, four-cylinder DOHC K6A. The engine was also fitted with a turbocharger and an intercooler, enabling it to churn out higher power output compared to the F6A. It also had lower NVH levels at higher speed. The JA22 also featured electric power steering, while the JA12 used the more conventional hydraulic power steering.

The JA12 and JA22 also featured a completely new interior design, including a new dashboard, new seats, new headrests, new door trims, and new seat covers.

The 1995 JA12/JA22 Jimny was available in both commercial and passenger car variants:
- JA12V - HA Van, a commercial vehicle model
- JA12C - CC Soft Top
- JA12W - XB Hardtop
- JA12W - XS Hardtop
- JA22W - XC Hardtop
- JA22W - YC Panoramic Roof

JA12 Engine Specifications

Engine: four-stroke, three-cylinder, 657cc (type F6A) DOHC with turbo and IC
Max. power: 64PS/6,000rpm
Max. torque: 10.0kgm/4,000rpm
Fuel distribution: EPI

JA22 Engine Specifications

Engine: four-stroke, three-cylinder, 658cc (type K6A) DOHC with turbo and IC
Max. power: 64PS/6,500rpm
Max. torque: 10.5kgm/3,500rpm
Fuel distribution: EPI

Jimny Wild Wind Limited Edition

The same year, a limited edition model called the Jimny Wild Wind was introduced. The model featured additional accessories including aluminium roof rack, spare wheel cover, aluminium alloy wheels, radio cassette player, air conditioning, and a Wild Wind body striping.

1996 – JA22 Jimny Landventure

In 1996, another limited edition model was added, the Jimny Landventure.

The model is based on the JA22W- XC Hardtop variant. Special features, including halogen fog lights, body colored bumpers, aluminium roof carrier, 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels, body striping, spare wheel cover, roof end spoiler, a multi-meter (compass orientation, pressure, altimeter) fitted on top of the dashboard, and unique seat upholstery, were fitted to the Landventure.

1997 – JA12/JA22 Type II

Come 1997, the JDM Jimny got a minor set of updates. The main highlight was the introduction of the Drive Action 4x4 System, which enabled switching between 2WD and 4WD mode while the vehicle is in motion.

Another highlight was the elimination of the YC Panoramic Roof, as well as XB and XS Hardtop variants and the addition of the XL Hardtop.



The interior was also slightly revised, the 1997 JA12/22 have brighter interior trim colors compared to that of the previous model.



The 1997 JDM Jimny line up then consisted of four main models:
- JA12V – HA Van
- JA12C – CC Softtop
- JA12W – XL Hardtop
- JA22W – XC Hardtop



In addition of those models, two limited editions were introduced:

Jimny Wild Wind Limited Edition

The JA22W Wild Wind, which featured AM/FM cassette stereo, unique seat upholstery, UV cut front windows, 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels, body colored bumpers, aluminium spare tire cover, body striping, and an aluminium roof carrier system.

Jimny Fishing Master

The JA22W Fishing Master was based on the XC Hardtop and was intended for people with fishing hobby. The model was equipped with waterproof seat cover, tray mats, and a ceiling mounted fishing rod holder.

1998 – Limited Edition Models

In 1998, two limited edition models were added to the JDM Jimny lineup:

Jimny Landventure

The JA22W Landventure  featured halogen fog lights, body colored bumpers, aluminium roof carrier, 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels, body striping, spare wheel cover, roof end spoiler, a multi-meter (compass orientation, pressure, altimeter) fitted on top of the dashboard, radio cassette player, and unique seat upholstery.

Jimny XL Limited

The JA12W XL Limited featured halogen fog lights, body colored bumpers, 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels, body striping, spare wheel cover, radio cassette player, and unique seat upholstery.

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THE STORY OF JIMNY: SJ413/SJ80 The Export Coilies

The Coily SJ Series Jimny was not only sold in Japan, but also in the global market, including Australia, South Africa, Latin America, some parts of South East Asia, and some parts of Europe.

Meanwhile, in other countries, such as India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Indonesia, production and sales of the leaf sprung SJ Series Jimny continued without being replaced by the Coily.

For most export markets, the Coily SJ were codenamed SJ413, and was very similar to the JDM JB32 Jimny Sierra. It featured wider front and rear tracks, and wide over fenders on the sides of the car.

In Australia and New Zealand, the Coily Sierra and Samurai were codenamed SJ80, differentiating them from the leaf sprung SJ413.

The export versions also got the G13B engine. The carburetor fuel supply system was used for most export versions of the Coily SJs, including the ones for Australia. Other markets, such as South America and Europe, got the fuel injected version of the G13B.

Engine Specifications

Engine: four-stroke, four-cylinder, 1298cc G13BA SOHC
Max. power: 64HP@6000rpm
Max.torque: 10.2kgm@3500rpm
Fuel distribution: carburetor

Central and South Americas

The Coily SJs was also available in a number of Central and South American countries.

In some Latin American countries, such as Chile, the Coily was sold as the Suzuki Samurai II. In other Central and South American countries, such as Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, it was sold as the Samurai, without the “II” prefix.

The Coily wasn't available in countries like Colombia and Venezuela, where Suzuki products were sold under the Chevrolet brand. In those countries, Chevrolet continued selling the leaf sprung versions of the Samurai.

South American versions of the Coily Samurai were fitted with the fuel injected version of the G13B engine, and was available in softtop and hardtop variants. The models were sold between 1996 and 1998.

In 2003, when Suzuki pulled out of the Brazilian market, parts for the Coily became scarce as Suzuki dealers and service centres closed. As a result, owners had to individually import the parts, and alternative part distribution networks formed around Suzuki 4x4 communities.

When Suzuki returned to the Brazilian market in 2008, spare parts became officially available once more, although at relatively high pricing. Many of the Brazilian Coily owners then turned to the alternative networks to get parts for their Coilies.

Africa

The Coily also made it to the African continent. It was quite popular in countries like Peru and South Africa. 

In South Africa, the Coily was available only as grey import vehicles, as Suzuki only sold the leaf sprung SJs in the country. The SJ80 model with carburetor were the ones imported to South Africa. High roof versions were also available.

Europe

The Coily was only sold in certain parts of Europe. It was marketed in Eastern European countries like Ukraine, Romania, Czech Republic, Turkey, and Russia. However, it was not marketed in most Western European. Finland was probably the only Western European country where the Coily was sold. The Coily Samurai was also available in the island countries of Southern Europe, Malta and Cyprus.

The Coily SJs were sold only in a relatively short period of time. Suzuki began making the model in late 1995, and in 1998, it was already replaced by the third generation Jimny.

In 1998, Santana Motors began producing diesel engined Samurais, called the Samurai Td, in Spain. These models had exterior and interior appearance similar to that of the Coily SJs, and were sold alongside the third generation Jimny. However, the Samurai Td adopted the leaf spring suspensions for both its front and rear wheels, meaning that they are not considered as Coily SJs.

Australia

In Australia, the model is sold as the Suzuki Sierra, and was codenamed SJ80. The Coily Sierra was sold from early 1996 up until late 1998. It was then replaced by the third generation Jimny in 1999.

1996

The Coily Sierra arrived in Australia in early 1996, and was available in only one trim level, the JX, with two body style options: convertible (softtop) and hardtop.

For a period of time, the old leaf sprung version of the Sierra continued to be sold alongside the Coily model before eventually being discontinued. The old version was then renamed the Sierra Classic to differentiate it from the new Coily. A pick up version called the Sierra Stockman was also available.

1997

In 1997, Suzuki introduced two new variants for the Coily Sierra, the Sierra Surf, and the Sierra Trax. Both models were based on the standard JX model but were given an additional set of equipment. The trim levels and general equipment list are as follows:

Sierra JX - standard

2 speaker stereo
intermittent wipers
radio cassete
tachometer
trim-velour(hardtop)

Sierra Surf – softtop only

Chrome wheels
Body colour bumpers
Nudge bar - front

Sierra Trax – softtop and hardtop

Alloy wheels
Front fog lamps
Nudge bar-front

1998

In 1998, Suzuki eliminated the Trax trim level, and introduced a new one, the Limited Edition JX.

Sierra JX – softtop and hardtop

2 speaker stereo
intermittent wipers
radio cassete
tachometer
trim-velour (hardtop)

Sierra Limited Edition JX – softtop and hardtop

Body color bumpers
Chrome wheels

Sierra Surf JX – softtop only

Body color bumpers
Chrome wheels
Nudge bar-front

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THE STORY OF JIMNY: JB32 Jimny Sierra The Coily Sierras

1995 – JB32 Type I

Suzuki introduced the JB32 in 1995, their latest more expensive non Kei-car version of the Jimny. It replaced the JB31 and was sold as the “Jimny Sierra”.

The JB32 was powered by an improved version of the G13B engine. The all-aluminium four cylinder engine was able to produce 85PS of power and 10.8kgm of torque.

Just like the previous non Kei-car versions of the Jimny, the JB32 Jimny Sierra had wider tracks compared to the JA12/JA22 Jimny, which was marked by the wide over fenders on the sides of the car.

The JB32 was available in a single version, called simply the “Jimny Sierra”, with an option of 5 speed manual or 3 speed automatic gearbox.

JB32 Engine Specifications

Engine: four-stroke, four-cylinder, 1298cc (type G13B)
Max. power: 85PS/6,000rpm
Max. torque: 10.8kgm/3,000rpm
Fuel distribution: MPFI

Jimny Sierra ELK

A limited edition model called Jimny Sierra ELK was released at launch. 

The model featured various optional accessories, including 15-inch aluminium alloy wheels, aluminium roof carrier, aluminium nudge bar with fog lights, a roof end spoiler with LED high mount stop lamp, a custom steering wheel, air conditioning, and radio cassette player. The ELK was available in two body colors: Mercury Silver Metallic, and Dark Turquoise Green Metallic.

The ELK contributed a very large percentage to the JB32’s sales, that Suzuki eventually decided to eliminate the standard model from the lineup, leaving the ELK as the only variant.

1997 – JB32 Type II

1997 marked the introduction of the Drive Action 4x4 System to the JB31. The new system enabled switching between 2WD and 4WD mode while the vehicle is in motion.

Apart from that, the 1997 version also had lighter interior colors and new seat cover materials.

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