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This Suzuki Defender is a Jimny done right

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• The Suzuki Jimny and Land Rover Defender are two of the most iconic 4x4s.

• This Suzuki Jimny is known as the Little D by DAMN.

The DAMD kit is meticulously engineered to scale, which allows for all those cherished Defender styling details.

• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za

What are two of the most iconic 4x4s you can imagine? Suzuki's Jimny and Land Rover's original Defender would be atop the list for most off-road enthusiasts. 

If you desire the styling and design of a classic Defender, with the compact dimensions, agility and driveability of a new Jimny, we have very good news for you. 

Japanese aftermarket specialist, DAMD, has produced an outstanding upgrade kit for the current Jimny, converting it to a Defender lookalike called Little:D. 

Land Rover purists might be troubled by the presence of an authentic Defender grille and badges on a fourth-generation Jimny, but there is no denying that it looks terrific. The DAMD kit is meticulously engineered to scale, which allows for all those cherished Defender styling details, to be slickly integrated with the Jimny's more compact dimensions. 


What do you think of this Suzuki Jimny by DAMD? Would you consider it if it was available locally? Please email us your thoughts.



suzuki jimny little D_damd, suzuki defender

Image: DAMD

Transforming the Suzuki into a Solihull doppelganger

A classic Defender 90 measures 1778mm across, while the current Jimny is only 1645mm wide. Despite the discrepancy in size, industrial designers at DAMD have done a splendid job of harmonizing new elements to create an authentic Defender feel. 

Most striking is the grille and front lighting set-up. Suzuki's Jimny has round headlights, like all proper off-road icons, such as the Jeep Wrangler, Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen and original Defender. This gave DAMD a good departure point for its project to make the small Suzuki look like a period Defender 90. 

Where DAMD's designers made the change, was to place a Defender grille pattern between the standard headlights and add a secondary mini-light, below the corner turn-signal indicators. The bonnet is also a reshaped stamping, with more pronounced ridges. 

suzuki jimny little D_damd, suzuki defender

Image: DAMD

The entire Jimny front bumper is also removed and replaced with a steel off-road specific item, true to Defender specification. This has improved the approach angle and gives this DAMD Jimny better impact survivability when navigating technical off-road terrain. 

At the rear, it is much the same, with the factory bumper removed and replaced with a sturdier steel option. DAMD also changes the lighting configuration from Suzuki's broad rectangular cluster, to two individual mini-lights at each corner of the Jimny's bumper. 

suzuki jimny little D_damd, suzuki defender
Image: DAMD

No alloy wheels necessary 

Beyond the charmingly 'Defender' specification front and rear styling changes, DAMD adds some Union Jack side graphics to the doors and a sturdy roof rack, to load an adequate volume of gear, for overlanding adventures. 

An LED lightbar is attached to the front leading edge of the roof rack. This projects additional terrain illumination, helping you find your way in the dead of night, on an unmapped adventure trail. 

suzuki jimny little D_damd, suzuki defender
Image: DAMD

You can't make a true Defender clone without steel wheels, and the DAMD Jimny rolls a choice of either Dean Cross Country or APIO Wildboar SR 16-inch steelies, shod with Toyo off-road specific tyres. 

Although the cabin is left relatively unmodified, thereby avoiding the annoyance of adding agricultural Defender ergonomics and reducing comfort, there is a neat textile upgrade. Inside the DAMD Jimny, you have the option of two tartan seat upholstery options. 

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