Jimny 5-door – cute off-roader now comes with extra length
Since its launch in the late 1960s, nearly 3.5 million Suzuki Jimnys have been sold worldwide, picking up numerous awards along the way.
A bit like Vegemite, the first impression raised when you encounter a Mahindra Pik Up is love or hate – with one motoring journalist saying it had looks “only a mother could love.”
Getting past that first impression, that goes on to reveal that the interior is never going to win any prizes for style, it looks like the mechanicals are very well sorted, which is reassuring if you’re considering dipping your toe in the budget end of the burgeoning ute market.
Mahindra’s own mHawk 2.2 litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel pumps out a relatively modest 103kW/320Nm, that combines with a six-speed manual gearbox to push it along quite cheerfully. While manual transmissions appear to be a disappearing breed, this one changes as slickly as any top end brand, while the ratios are progressive and keep things in the “sweet spot “of around 1,800rpm at legal road speeds.
For those looking to explore beyond the tar seal, the 4WD versions are fitted with a Borg Warner electrically-shifted transfer case that made it very capable when we ventured into some soggy Waikato paddocks in late April.
Offered in single cab 2WD or 4WD or as a double cab 4WD, all with rear low-level trays, the company can also supply a single cab with a much deeper well-side body, offering acres of spaces for an extra $1,000.
Out on the open road, the Pik Up drives with very good manners, with precise, wellweighted steering, along with a torquey motor that hangs on well down below 1,500rpm before the gearbox needs to be stirred. The independent suspension at each corner travels well over any road imperfections and makes for a comfortable ride on more serious off-road terrain.
On the safety front, whilst not up there with the latest suites, the mix includes dual airbags, crash protection zones, ESP and ABS. Tech is taken care of with the likes of central locking a noisy alarm and reverse camera on the S10 version. Payload for the rear tray is rated up to 1,035kg, combined with rear towing capacity of 2,500kg, brought to a stop by a front-end disc and rear drum set-up.
Southland Farmers will be breathing a sigh of relief that central Government is stepping in to stop Environment Southland from introducing unworkable and expensive new farming rules.
OPINION: Irate Southland farmers are on the money denying anglers access across their land.
Over 400 of New Zealand’s stalwart kiwifruit growers gathered in Mount Maunganui this week for a celebration to recognise three major milestones in the industry’s history.
While unrecorded in New Zealand, Bluetongue, an acute viral disease in ruminants, is endemic in tropical and sub-tropical climates.
She came all the way from a sheep station in Tasmania especially to be presented with the top prize in this year's Massey University agriculture, horticulture and environmental science award.
Massey University is tweaking the format of its agricultural courses.
OPINION: Earlier this month, small Waikato milk processor Tatua reminded the country that it’s still number one when it comes…
OPINION: It was only in 2018 that the Chinese Government embarked on a mission to lift domestic milk production and…