The Suzuki Sierra is the second-generation Suzuki Jimny and, thus, is also a mini FWD like its more popular younger sibling. This pintsize off-roader sold in Australia as Suzuki Sierra for nearly two decades from 1981 through 2000. This article puts the Sierra in the spotlight to highlight this pioneering era. Like the LJ50 and LJ80 models that preceded it, the Sierra became an instant hit mainly due to the availability of different body styles that enhanced its commercial and agricultural usefulness.
The Sierra went by a variety of names in its different markets worldwide, including Chevrolet Samurai, Holden Drover, Maruti Gypsy, Santana Samurai, Suzuki Caribian, Suzuki Fox, Suzuki Katana, Suzuki Potohar, Suzuki Samurai, Suzuki Santana, Suzuki SJ410, and Suzuki SJ413.
SJ30
The SJ30 was produced after the retirement of the LJ80. It first came out of production in 1981 with two engine versions—the SJ30 550 (fitted with a 550-cc 3-cylinder engine) and the SJ30 660 (equipped with a 660-cc engine). These versions were Suzuki’s entry to the local Kei automobile market segment.
They were exported mainly to India, Indonesia, and other Asian markets, but these versions were produced with the LJ80’s bigger engine and with a longer and more full-body frame. The SJ30 was discontinued in 1987 and replaced by the JA71 series.
SJ40/SJ410
In 1981, Suzuki produced and marketed a new model, the SJ40 (aka Jimny 1000 and Suzuki SJ410), alongside the SJ30. It was the version assigned to replace the outgoing LJ80 (aka Jimny 8) and was powered by a 1.0L F10A 8-valve 4-stroke petrol engine paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox as the standard transmission. This powertrain kicked 34 kW maximum power output, 70 N⋅m peak torque, and a top speed of 109 km/h.
1981
Two variants of the SJ40, badged as Suzuki Sierra, reached the shores of Oz in 1981, namely:
- two-door, four-seat 4x4 SUV
- two-door, two-seat 4x4 ute tray
Both models weighed 860kg (kerb weight), but the ute tray variant was longer, narrower, higher off the ground, and had a longer wheelbase than the passenger type.
At around the same period, other versions called the Samurai, and the Caribian space cab was developed from the SJ40/410 model code.
1984
In Indonesia, where the Sierra/Jimny was also assembled, an SJ410-based model called Katana was altered into a 4x2 drive version. It was developed as Suzuki’s response to higher taxes being imposed on 4WDs in Indonesia.
JA51/SJ413
In 1984, the 1.0L engine gave way to a new 1.3L G13A 4-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission to generate a maximum output of 47kW and 100 N⋅m. Apart from a new engine, the SJ was overhauled and fitted with new power brakes, new seats, an updated dashboard, and a restyled grille.
This Sierra model was internally coded as JA51 and SJ413 (aka Jimny 1300) on which Santana Motors in Spain based their Samurai-badged Jimny/Sierra (marketed as Samurai 1.0 and Samurai Mil).
The name Sierra nameplate was retained in Australia, where the same variants were offered (4x4 SUV and ute tray) except with the new 1.3L engine. The old-version ute trays still remained in the lineup for 1984.
1985
A unique body style was introduced in 1985 for the Aussie market, the commercial two-door four-seat 4WD Sierra. It had about the same ground clearance and wheelbase as the SUV but was more full and slightly shorter than both the SUV and ute.
From 1985 through 1987, Holden Australia offered the same SUV and ute vehicles with identical specs but rebadged as Holden Drover.
Meanwhile, India assembled its SJ40/SJ410 version, too, the Maruti Gypsy. It was initially fitted with the 1.0L F10A (34 kW) engine, but later iterations were powered by a 1.3L G13BB 16-valve engine (60kW, 103 N⋅m). The Maruti Gypsy’s rugged and reliable quality made it popular as a law enforcement vehicle in India.
Several years later, this same version made its way to New Zealand in 2013. It donned a new guise as the Farm Worker 4x4 though its grille still wore a Maruti badge. It is equipped with the same engine, teamed up with a 5-speed synchromesh manual transmission.
JA/JB series
1986 – JA71
In 1986, a second-generation iteration of the Jimny, model coded as JA71, was introduced with a turbocharged and fuel-injected engine and the upgraded body of the JA51. This modification never reached Oz, but these were its specs:
· 543-cc F5A 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (38 kW)
1990 – JA11
In 1990, the JA71 was replaced by the JA11 in compliance with new Japanese regulations on Kei cars. The JA11 featured a new engine with the following specs:
· 657-cc F6A 3-cylinder engine (40 kW, later increased to 43 kW and then 47 kW)
1996 – JA12/JA22/JB32
A new-version Sierra, coded as JA12, came out in 1996. The Sierra’s underpinnings were modified, including the replacement of the leaf spring suspension with a coil spring version to improve on-road handling. Simultaneous to these mechanical modifications, cosmetic updates were also done to equip the Sierra with new seats, steering wheel, and doors. Cosmetic alterations were done to give it a bolder appearance overall.
A series of updates took place for the JA/JB model codes, and these came with new engines as well. For this period, the following were the engines used:
- Model JA12 – 657-cc F6A I3 petrol engine (47 kW)
- Model JA22 – 658-cc K6A I3 petrol engine (48 kW)
- Model JB32 – 1.3L G13BB 16-valve petrol engine (63 kW)
The JB32 model was the Sierra/Jimny version that reached most export markets, although not all markets received the updated JA and JB series. In Australia, the original SJ410 Stockman returned to represent the utes in the Suzuki 4x4 lineup.
The SJ410 ute and the SJ413 SUV and commercial 4WDs were the last Sierras standing in Australia. In 2000, the Suzuki Sierra bowed out as it completed its almost two decades of tenure in the land of Oz and made way for the Suzuki Jimny to continue the journey.