The Suzuki Jimny is getting close to its mid-lifecycle update but that doesn’t take away from the fact it is still one of the most desirable no-frills off-roaders on sale. Twisted Automotive, known for modifying Land Rover Defenders, spiced up the little Jimny with an overhauled cabin, premium features, upgraded suspension, a turbocharged engine, and a number of off-road accessories. The project was announced in April, as one of the most comprehensive tuning packages for the Suzuki Jimny. Twisted has now completed the first example, highlighting all of the upgrades that transform the originally spartan SUV into a legitimately premium offering.

Starting with the interior upgrades which are the most important, Twisted wrapped everything in duo-tone leather including the quilted seats, dashboard, door cards, steering wheel, floor mats, and gearshift levers, covering most of the stock model’s cheap scratchy plastics. The EU-spec and UK-spec Jimny is exclusively available as a two-seater LCV but Twisted can remove the standard bulkhead and add a leather-wrapped rear bench under request.

 

The dials and A/C rings got a soft-touch feel with extra padding and the headlining can be specced in premium Alcantara. The original Suzuki infotainment has been swapped with an aftermarket unit by Alpine, featuring Apple CarPlay, Navigation, and DAB. There is also a premium sound system developed by a dedicated audio engineer. More importantly, soundproofing materials have been added to the lower portion of the cabin for a quiet ride, which can be further enhanced according to the preferences of the owner. The ride quality is also improved by the handling package that includes new gas shock absorbers and a rear anti-roll bar. Optionally, the Yorkshire-based tuner offers a 25 mm lift kit for the suspension which is noticeable from the outside.

Speaking of the exterior, Twisted’s Jimny features subtle upgrades which help it gain an upmarket look. The BF Goodrich all-terrain tires wrapped around the black-painted 16-inch alloy wheels come standard, adding more grip off the beaten track. The lower portion of the bodywork retains the unpainted plastic finish but the grille and mirror caps have been painted to match the rest of the bodywork. The new exterior shade with an optional satin finish can be combined with mountain decals on the sides, and Twisted branding on the tailgate. The smoked LED headlights and taillights add to the charisma of the Jimny. Off-road goodies include the roof rack with an integrated light bar, a tow bar, an adventure bumper with a warn winch, plus extra underbody protection.

Last but not least, Twisted offers the option of a Stage 1 upgrade for the 1.5-liter petrol engine for those interested in spicing up the performance – a turbocharger increases the power output from the stock 103 hp to a healthier 165 hp. Pricing for the Twisted Suzuki Jimny starts from £ 49,500 (US$ 61,450) before taxes. The company will start building customer vehicles in October, and is already accepting orders as they have “a number of delivery mileage pre-registered Jimny secured and ready to build from”. Of course, besides finished cars, the upgrades will also become available for existing Suzuki Jimny owners in the form of a conversion kit.