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