The latest Suzuki Jimny has earned itself a niche cult following around the world, but sadly not in the USA. The closest thing we have is a base model Jeep Wrangler. Besotted owners have taken to the little Japanese 4WD with every conceivable modification under the sun. Some aftermarket 4WD accessory companies only specialize in Jimny. The Jimny aftermarket accessory market is big and lucrative.
Enter Japanese custom company DAMD, which has been turning humdrum cars into spectacular ones since 1982, creating high-end body kits. In 2019, DAMD created its own look-alike version of the Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen, based on the Jimny. A legend had been born, and from that day on, the Jimny tribute models just kept on coming.
The Suzuki Jimny is, sadly, not available in the USA. It has proven extremely popular in other parts of the world though, garnering a cult-like following among owners and enthusiasts. This list focuses on some of the cool and innovative (and maybe slightly risqué from a legal perspective) tributes that are all based on the fourth-generation Jimny (or Sierra, as it is known in some territories).
10
DAMD Little G Traditonal
The tribute design that started the craze, the DAMD G-Wagon tribute, is available in three styles. This is Little G Traditional, based on the original, more hardcore ‘G’ from the ’70s, and shares many styling queues with the original Mercedes-Benz.
This includes indicators that are mounted on the hood, the light guards for the indicators, headlights and taillights, the mud flaps, steel wheels shod with mud terrain tires and even mimicking the Agave Green hue, one of the original Gelandewagen’s color options.
9
Garage Ill Bron55
DAMD may have started the trend, but other companies have jumped on the Jimny body kit bus too. Garage Ill is a Japanese company that doesn’t get quite as involved with body kits as DAMD, but still offers some cool gear. Like the Bon55 Jimny body kit.
This kit transforms the front-end of the Jimny to resemble a Ford Bronco. It consists of a custom front grille, bumper, LED headlights, indicators and the Bron55 emblem (which may or may not resemble the Bronco logo).
8
DAMD Renault R5 Turbo
Ah, the nostalgia. A Suzuki Jimny that is also a Renault 5 (non) Turbo. DAMD’s team really had fun with this design, creating a splendid tribute to one of the most iconic hot hatches of the ’80s. The Renault 5 Turbo also won the famous Monte Carlo Rally in its heyday, beating some big power machines in the process.
The attention to detail, paying homage to the original hatch, is splendid. From the custom rear bumper, the high-end wheel arches that are perfectly color-matched to the body, the new front bumper with the yellow fog lights, the new headlights, indicators and grille… it really looks like the R5 Turbo part.
Under the hood, the Jimny 1.5-liter still produces only 100 hp. So you don’t get a lot of speed, comfort or great handling. A phone call to Twisted, listed elsewhere in this feature, to source a turbocharger, is definitely on the cards for this tribute.
7
Liberty Walk G mini
Japanese custom car company Liberty Walk has created its version of the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, based on the humble little Jimny. What sets the Liberty Walk product apart is that the company doesn’t just add some cool plastic bits to the exterior.
Depending on the thickness of your wallet, it can go all the way and create a truly bespoke G63 tribute with Mercedes quality leather trim in the cabin, custom exhaust system similar to the G63’s side pipes, wheels and tires, lights, steering wheel… you name it, Liberty can do it. Thanks to the bespoke exhaust systems that are available, the LW Jimny’s 1.5-liter engine sounds pretty amazing too.
It’s perfect for the G63 connoisseur who can’t afford the G63.
6
Twisted TJ
|
Engine |
1.5-liter turbocharged Inline-4 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
165 hp |
|
Torque |
143 lb-ft |
|
0-60 |
7 seconds |
|
Top speed |
115 mph |
Into some serious 4WD action? Then British company Twisted, specializing in bespoke Land Rover Defenders, has just the thing for you: the Jimny TJ. This Jimny stands out in this crowd because it doesn’t copy any particular model, but rather follows its own unique, Twisted style and finishes. There is also the small issue of a turbocharger and intercooler under the hood.
The little 4WD’s 1.5-liter engine has 165 hp – 60% more than the stock car. A five-speed manual gearbox feeds the horses to the wheels. The suspension features high-performance gas-damped shock absorbers and a rear anti-roll bar system. The 16-inch satin black alloy wheels are shod with BFGoodrich all-terrain tires.
Engineered and designed by a team of Land Rover Defender lovers, the TJ is sure to pack substantial off-road punch. As a bonus, it should be pretty grand on the road too.
5
DAMD Little D
The Land Rover Defender is a legendary 4×4, with an iconic appearance. So DAMD’s crew created the Little D – a Suzuki Jimny that pays tribute to the legendary British 4WD.
You get the grille that shouts Defender, headlights and indicators, as well as a steel front bumper and protection plate that look like they all came from the Landy parts bin. The narrow steel rims are finished in the same green as the vehicle, as used to be the case with the Defender, and are shod with relatively narrow, high profile all-terrain tires – just like the Defender.
At the back, you get a custom bumper with Defender-style lights, and the look is rounded off with some Land Rover-style mud flaps. Underneath the skin it is all Jimny, so you actually can go anywhere in the Little D too, no matter the terrain.
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4
DAMD Little B
DAMD caters for the hardcore Suzuki Jimny enthusiasts too, offering the very cool-looking Little B body kit. This version is based on the Suzuki LJ and SJ from the 1980s, and is a back-to-basics interpretation of those original classics.
The grille, lights and period chrome-looking front bumper are based on classic Suzuki designs. The same goes for the period chrome-looking wheels with hubcaps, as well as the rear bumper with the round lights more typical of the 70s and 80s. The painted finish also resembles the ’80s SJ.
The extended wheel arches add an extra level of cool too, as do the mud terrain tires.
3
Cal’s Motor 1970s American SUV
Japanese tuning company Cal’s Motor (part of the Alpine Style group) revealed its tribute to the 1970s American SUV at the Tokyo Motor Show in January 2025. Truth be told, it looks pretty similar to a late ’70s Ford Bronco, with the square headlights and all.
Be that as it may, it comes replete with period chrome grille and bumper, and square headlights. The kit also includes a custom, chromed rear bumper with round rear taillights. Completing the 1970s American 4WD look are chromed rims with hubcaps, topped off with Toyo all-terrain tires.
This version is ideal if you want to stand out from the same-old DAMD and Liberty Works folks, and if you have a soft spot for 1970s American SUVs.
2
DAMD Jimny Dronco
DAMD calls its tribute to the classic Ford Bronco, the Dronco. It gets the retro-styled grille, which also seems a little bit less gaudy than the Bron55 interpretation of the modern Bronco.
As with all DAMD’s body kits, it is the attention to detail that really sets it apart from the new kids on the body kit block. Like the period chrome-style beading on the flanks, running all the way from the nose to the tail. The period bumper, the white rims (as opposed to the chromed or steely look), follows the same design as the original Bronco wheels.
The roof and top back panels, decked out in white. The ladder on the rear door, and the cool rear bumper with the period taillights. Even the pale blue color harks back to an original hue option on the 1960s Bronco.
1
DAMD Lancia Delta Integrale
If you are a world rally championship fan of sorts, you’ll know what the Lancia Delta Integrale is, and what an iconic role it played in Lancia’s illustrious rally history.
In case you didn’t know, some quick facts. When the mighty Group B rally class was banned in 1986, Lancia needed a new rally weapon to replace the 500 hp Delta S4 4WD. The Delta Integrale HF 4WD was turned into that weapon. It won straight out of the box, and by 1988 the Integrale won 10 of the 11 rallies.
It is on this car that DAMD based its finest tribute. Besides the obvious grille and headlights, panels and air-intakes on the sides, and rear bumper, you can also have your DAMD Integrale (as you should) with OZ Racing rally rims, racing bucket seats and, in the ideal world, a Twisted turbocharger upgrade, along with high-end suspension system upgrade.
Sources: DAMD; Suzuki; Hagerty, Twisted
