New Suzuki Slimny – The world’s first 4×4 two-wheeler [April Fool’s]

Suzuki’s Australian wing has unveiled the all-new Slimny, the world’s first four-wheel drive two-wheeler.

The Slimny marks the first collaboration between Suzuki’s vaunted motorcycle division and its automotive arm.

It boasts the “same, great Jimny profile” but just “without the width.” Because we all know the Jimny was uncomfortably wide to begin with.

The Slimny now “really does go where Slimny wants – even down most corridors,” said Suzuki.

For those still unconvinced, don’t let the April 1st reveal date fool you. Suzuki Australia is adamant that the Slimny is “out now.”

April Fool’s gone right

Last year, Suzuki South Africa played a clever April Fool’s joke where it announced the arrival of a Jimny bakkie.

While few were tricked into thinking it’s a real product, a render of the compact workhorse sparked much conversation online with several consumers claiming they would buy one without thinking twice should Suzuki go ahead with developing it.

Comments on social media ranged from “Still put me on the list for the first one” to “It’s a shame that it’s an April Fools joke, I would have bought one,” but one of the most interesting takes that caught our eye was: “You guys joke but if you made a Jimny bakkie it would the best seller of the range.”

Suzuki responded by saying it would take the public feedback “to the powers that be,” indicating that the top brass were duly informed of the dust the imaginary vehicle kicked up.

Fast forward to July 2024, Suzuki Australia revealed that a Jimny-based pickup was “not a dead project.”

While the spokesperson didn’t go into further detail, their succinct statement suggests that a Jimny bakkie isn’t completely off the cards.

It’s safe to say, though, that the Slimny might not see the light of day any time soon.