Suzuki Jimny by Twisted Review

I hardly need to ask what this is, right?

The lettering along the side rather reveals the answer, doesn’t it? Even so, introductions are in order. Meet the Suzuki Jimny by Twisted: the first vehicle other than a classic Land Rover Defender to receive the North Yorkshire company’s modification treatment.

Why choose the Jimny rather than the new Defender?

“I never want to modify for the sake of modifying, I want to make something better,” Twisted boss Charles Fawcett tells TG. “That’s why we haven’t done new Defender – everybody else has done it and they just make something slightly different to standard.”

Twisted sees the Jimny as “almost a miniature Defender with similar architecture, driveline and analogue feel”, however, which explains its move away from an exclusively Defender-focused approach.

So, what has changed on the Jimny?

First, every new Twisted Jimny starts life as a Jimny Light Commercial Vehicle. In standard form, that means two seats and 863 litres of luggage capacity, although you can supply your own vehicle for conversion instead.

The headline element of the conversion is the ‘Twisted Performance Upgrade’, which effectively bolts a turbocharger to the regular 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Output rises from a fairly modest 100bhp to a far more useful 165bhp. Bear in mind, too, that it weighs only 1,090kg.

Alongside the turbo, there is a sports downpipe, a Syvecs ECU with its associated remap, revised pipework and oil feeds, a performance air filter, and a catch tank. That is just what sits beneath the tiny bonnet, though. The rest of the package includes newly raised suspension using Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers, complemented by a fresh rear anti-roll bar that does a superb job of keeping the Jimny under control.

The front bumper and door-mirror caps are now matched to the body colour, while 16-inch five-spoke Twisted alloy wheels and BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres complete its chunky little-terrier appearance. It is a tremendously endearing thing.

Must I specify every one of those upgrades?

Absolutely not. As with Twisted Defenders, buyers can select whichever additions they want for the compact 4x4. Further choices include privacy glass, a complete satin paint finish, a light bar, roof rack, underbody protection and a Warn winch. Happily, the Nineties mountain-scene decals are optional as well.

There is also a huge range of cabin upgrades, including ‘occasional rear seats’ that convert the little van back into a four-seater.

And what is the interior of the Suzuki Jimny by Twisted like?

Fawcett says this particular Jimny’s cabin required 230 hours of work. That effort is immediately apparent, while the upgraded sound insulation substantially improves the Jimny’s otherwise dubious road refinement. Naturally, it is not a new Defender, but it is now much more agreeable to spend longer at motorway speeds in than the tinny standard model.

Twisted Defenders contain plenty of leather, and the Jimny follows precisely the same formula. It covers the seats, dashboard, grab handles, gear levers, handbrake, steering wheel, centre console and doors. Even the floor mats have leather edging. That is decidedly posh.

The headlining is trimmed in Alcantara, while a new Alpine head unit with navigation, DAB and Apple CarPlay replaces Suzuki’s sluggish infotainment system. There are replacement speakers too, which could genuinely make you choose music over the shipping forecast, and every vehicle receives an individual build plaque recording the process it has undergone.

Go on, tell me more about that engine…

Right, back to the main attraction. The Suzuki Jimny by Twisted is centred on its turbo. Despite the extra sound deadening, you can still enjoy the sequence of whooshes and flutters produced as the forced induction gets to work. Picture an asthmatic elephant trying to drink a milkshake through an especially hole-ridden straw. That gives a reasonable impression of the soundtrack this thing creates.

The increase in power transforms acceleration as well. You will find yourself working the five-speed manual gearbox to hold the engine above 3,000rpm and keep the turbo singing. Suzuki remarkably never disclosed the standard Jimny’s 0-62mph time, but there is now a genuine feeling of urgency that ought to make that figure rather less humiliating.

You mentioned that it handles better too?

Objectively, calling it ‘well’ may be a little generous. Still, Twisted’s Jimny is enormously entertaining. It remains a relatively tall vehicle with a very short wheelbase, yet the sophisticated suspension and revised anti-roll bar keep it reasonably flat through bends, making it brilliant fun on narrow country lanes. Those hefty tyres do not offer enormous tarmac grip either, so small four-wheel slides and locked-up brakes only enhance the miniature rally-car character.

At the same time, it remains comfortable, maintains momentum, still returns 30mpg and does not even require upgraded brakes to bring it to a halt. We are rather fond of it.

It sounds brilliant. What does it cost?

The turbocharged Jimny is genuinely hilarious to drive. There is, however, a modest obstacle: the price. The Suzuki Jimny by Twisted begins at £49,500 + VAT, including the performance upgrades. As it is a commercial vehicle, the tax can be reclaimed. That represents a substantial rise over the £21,099 starting price, although this is a thoroughly transformed small car, and a Defender 90 with a few Twisted modifications can readily reach six figures.

Perhaps we will simply continue telling ourselves that £50k makes it a bargain…