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Suzuki Jimny 2021 to morph into ute?

The Suzuki Jimny is reportedly being morphed into a commercial vehicle, could it take the form of a ute?

The current iteration Suzuki Jimny could soon disappear from showrooms and transform into a commercial vehicle, according to an overseas report.

Autocar India claims the Jimny will be axed in Europe, a result of tightening passenger car emissions regulations to be introduced in 2021, with dealers already told to stop taking orders for the pint-sized SUV.

It is understood that Suzuki needs to lower its average fleet emissions, and that the popularity of the Jimny, which is powered by a 1.5-litre engine outputting around 158 grams of CO2 per kilometre, is pushing up the total.

In Australia however, Suzuki Jimny orders will continue as normal, according to the brand's local boss Michael Pachota.

"I can confirm that in Australia, it's business as usual," he told CarsGuide.

"There is no information from Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) suggesting that the statements regarding Jimny sales in Europe are factual; I have not seen any communication from SMC verifying this strategy in Europe."

Regardless, the report says to circumvent this, the European Jimny will be morphed into a commercial vehicle, which are not yet affected by the tightening emissions standards.

This could open the door for the long-mooted Jimny ute, but the commercialised model is expected to retain the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 75kW/135Nm.

The rear seats would be scrapped to turn the Jimny from passenger to commercial vehicle, while the interior will also undergo some changes.

Autocar India is also stating that sources close to them say the Jimny will return as a passenger vehicle when a less-pollutant engine is made available.

Across Suzuki’s range, it offers a hybrid version of the Swift light car and Ignis SUV in Europe, with an electrified Vitara and S-Cross expected to break cover soon.