Love the new Suzuki Jimny, but want it to look just a little bit more like a classic Land Rover Defender?
Your wishes have been answered by Japanese tuning company Dream Automotive Development & Design (better known as DAMD), thanks to their latest product offering.
As reported by Wired.co.uk, DAMD now offer a special ‘Little D’ conversion kit for the latest Jimny, transforming it into a pint-sized replica of the famed Defender.
Defending the faith
With rugged styling, genuine off-road ability, and an overall air of utilitarianism the new Jimny is arguably already the spiritual successor to the original Defender.
Driving the Jimny when launched in October 2018, we said that it could “kick sand in the eyes of any crossover”, and was in the same league as the “Land Rover Defender, Jeep Wrangler and Mercedes-Benz G-Class” in the dirt.
Adding the DAMD Little D kit to the Jimny now means it can fully resemble the British icon that has helped inspire it, with a comprehensive body kit and a range of optional parts to complete the look.
The core Little D kit includes new bumpers front and rear, a replacement front grille, reshaped bonnet, and widened wheel arches. New lights are added to further the transformation, along with raised lettering to the leading edge of the bonnet.
DAMD also fits oversized mud flaps as part of the kit, and completes the shrunken Defender image with a green oval badge on the front grille.
Once fitted, the Little D kit lets the Jimny do a more than passable impersonation of the Defender. Further options include painted steel wheels, and seat covers finished in tweed-effect trim.
Gangsta’s Paradise in miniature
The Little D is not the only body kit offered by DAMD for the new Jimny. The company has also created the ‘Little G’ version, which apes the looks of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
As with the Defender version, turning your Jimny into a pimped-out Mercedes replica needs a new bumper, front grille, wheel arch extensions, and upgraded lights.
DAMD is also set to launch new Jimny body kits this year. The light blue ‘Dronco’ version is designed to replica the classic Ford Bronco, cleverly done just as collectors go into overdrive for the retro version. The yellow ‘Roots’ offering pays homage to the original Suzuki Jimny from the 1970s.
Prices for the Little D conversion kit begin at the equivalent of £1,750 plus taxes in Japan, rising to £3,200 should the special steel wheels be added.
DAMD’s UK importer, Sumo Power, states that buying the Little D kit here should cost £2,500 plus VAT and take up to four months to arrive. Add the inevitable cost of painting and fitting the kit, and it could easily push the cost of a £16,249 of a base Jimny to £20,000.
That still makes it cheaper than the G-Class inspired kit created by Kahn Design, and the Defender vibe seems perfectly suited to the nature of the Suzuki Jimny.
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