Sizzling supercharged Suzuki Jimny lands in Oz

HARROP ENGINEERING quietly introduced a supercharger kit for the pint-sized Suzuki Jimny in December of last year, the TVS900 kit creating something of a stir among enthusiasts keen to extract more performance from their 1.5-litre ‘Zook’.

In standard trim, the Suzuki Jimny offers 75kW of power at 6000rpm and 130Nm of torque at 4000rpm (or 63kW and 107Nm when paired with an automatic transmission). Power is channelled to the wheels via the choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, both with a dual-speed transfer case for off-road work.

For many Jimny owners, the loveable lightweight is perfectly acceptable just the way it is. But for others – who use the vehicle in serious off-road conditions and often with a complement of camping equipment on board – the factory output figures fall well short of expectation.

Enter Harrop Engineering…

Utilising an Eaton-sourced supercharger engineered specifically to suit Suzuki’s K15B four-cylinder application, Harrop Engineering developed a side-mounted kit that is water-to-air intercooled to provide instantaneous boost response and “considerable gains right throughout the rev range”.

In fact, considerable might be understating it.

The TVS900 kit offers an impressive 59 per cent gain in peak power and 42 per cent increase in peak torque. It is bypassed at low engine speeds to maintain (close to) the Jimny’s factory fuel economy figure at cruising speeds and uses a stylish carbon-fibre intake chamber to provide the engine with the additional air it requires when “on boost” (quoted at 9.4psi or 65kPa).

“It’s a game-changer for driveability. These cars desperately need more power and torque and that’s what we deliver,” said Harrop Engineering brand manager Jake Di Pietro.

All other aspects of the Jimny remain unchanged, barring of course a subtle whine from beneath the bonnet. Harrop Engineering says the kit otherwise maintains all OEM functionality, the ECU recalibrated to ensure factory-like useability.

“Our goal is to have an OE level of integration with the hardware, and that extends to the recalibration or the tuning that is required to make the whole package work,” added Mr Di Pietro.

“For this kit, we reprogram the ECU with our own file. We don’t use a piggyback or standalone ECU, and that ensures that all the vehicle systems function as intended by Suzuki.

“The vehicle has also passed emission testing and is mod-plated in Victoria.”

This week, GoAuto caught up with supercharged Suzuki Jimny owner Tarzan Patterson to put the vehicle through its paces.

“With 106kW and 168Nm at its disposal the result is not just about the figures, but driveability as well,” said Mr Patterson.

“Power and torque delivery is far more linear, and the fuelling is just spot on. It is always ‘ready’ with just the prod of the throttle, even from very low engine speeds.”

Upgraded injectors and a higher capacity MAP sensor ensures Harrop’s “instantaneous” power delivery claims are always maintained. Unlike turbocharging, there is no spooling to wait for and no throttle lag.

The 1380kg (as tested) Jimny is eager, almost excitable under throttle. On 98RON premium unleaded it delivers a 0-100km/h time that is certain to raise a few eyebrows, clocking 10.1 seconds against the standard model’s 12.9 seconds.

It has a subtle supercharger whine that suits the Suzuki’s subdued note – and diminutive size.

It’s a note that is obvious enough from behind the ‘wheel, but not especially so from the roadside. In fact, the only real ‘tell’ as to the added performance on offer is how quickly to Jimny gets up and hustles, and a tiny badge on the tailgate.

The added power and torque help to iron flat large grades while offering the Jimny more in reserve for overtaking. Much more, in fact.

Where the normally aspirated Zook is basically topped out at highway speeds – leading to extended overtaking manoeuvres and downshifting on steeper grades – the supercharged example is unflinching in its ability to gather pace.

Offroad, the benefits from supercharging the Jimny are equally obvious. The improved torque allows challenging climbs to be conquered without the need for a run-up, allowing the vehicle to take on the most gnarly of obstacles with less fear of damage.

In low range, there’s a sense the supercharged Jimny could just about climb a vertical wall. Add in that compact footprint and ultra-sharp turning circle and you get the sense this thing would go almost anywhere you point it.

On the downside, we did find the supercharged Jimny running hotter than a comparative standard model along for comparison.

We’ll need to tap into the OBD for an accurate take on the situation, but Mr Patterson says he feels engine bay temperatures are well above where they were before, suggesting additional cooling may be in order.

As expected, supercharging the Jimny has also resulted in heavier fuel consumption…

The stock three-door manual uses a claimed 6.4 litres per 100km on the ADR Combined cycle, Mr Patterson’s modified Jimny (with bash plates, all-terrain tyres, bullbar, roof racks, etc.) using 8.8L/100km in mixed conditions before its visit to Harrop Engineering.

After a fortnight on the road, Mr Patterson said that figure has jumped to a steady 10.3L/100km – or a 17.0 per cent increase.

The other significant increase to the Harrop Engineering supercharger package is price.

At $10,990 (installed) the TVS900 kit is far from cheap, especially when you consider a Suzuki Jimny three-door manual starts from $30,490 plus on-road costs.

While there’s no questioning the superb engineering and factory-like integration of the Harrop Engineering product, the value equation of the kit is incredibly hard to justify, not least of all for the questions if leaves unanswered in terms of warranty coverage from Suzuki’s side of the fence.

Harrop Engineering backs its product with a three-year/60,000km warranty with a 12-month/20,000km warranty on workmanship, saying the remainder of the driveline is covered as per the original manufacturer. But in speaking with Suzuki Australia this week, GoAuto learned that might be the only warranty coverage owners are left with.

“As outlined in the Suzuki Vehicle Owner’s Manual and Warranty & Service Handbook, any non-approved modifications, including but not limited to engine enhancements, specification changes, aftermarket tyre installations, exterior treatments, and window/glass films, can result in the exclusion of warranty coverage,” said Suzuki Australia public relations, product, training and events manager Joanna Montalto.

“Specifically, modifications that alter the vehicle’s original performance characteristics, such as the installation of an engine supercharger kit, place additional stress on the powertrain and associated components. These changes exceed the vehicle’s engineered design parameters and are not covered under warranty.

“Additionally, vehicles that have undergone such modifications are no longer eligible to participate in the Suzuki SGS or CPS programs, as per the guidelines set forth in the Warranty & Service Handbook.”

With a statement as clear as that, we think the idea of an aftermarket supercharger kit is something you’d really want to be welded onto – even if it’s one of the most impressive Suzuki Jimny modifications we’ve yet to come across.