As petrolheads, we all feel the urge to change our cars from time to time, whether it's a mental exercise or actually taking the leap and parting with our cash. Josh, our Parts Manager, did the latter. This is a man who’s been devoted to Hondas for as long as we can remember, with ownership that includes a DC2, EP3, EK9, and FD2.
However, Josh went off-piste when something rather different caught his eye: the latest generation and very humble Suzuki Jimny!
A perk of working at Torque GT meant he immediately got Darren, our Personal Import Specialist, on the case to hunt the auctions in Japan for the right one. Eventually, a bid was placed on a 2021 Jimny Sierra with just over 5,000 km covered, finished in ‘Medium Grey.’
Patiently waiting for the Jimny to arrive on UK shores, Josh wasted no time planning how he wanted to modify it. In Japan, the aftermarket scene for Jimnys is huge, offering some wonderfully crazy creations from cosmetic to mechanical modifications.
After thorough research, Josh opted for an APIO body conversion. The previous owner in Japan had already kindly fitted some APIO Wildboar wheels, so it made sense to complete the look. APIO has been at the forefront of Jimny lifestyle, maintenance, and modification in Japan for many decades, having been founded back in 1969.
The Jimny arrived fresh from Japan, and it didn’t take long to get it into Torque Bodyworks for its cosmetic transformation.
The kit consists of cut-down front and rear bumpers, increasing clearance and giving a more off-road appearance. The addition of the APIO grille further adds to the purposeful look.
Supplied unpainted, Torque Bodyworks opted to paint the bumpers in a textured black to mimic the pre-existing textured plastic over fenders, making the kit look as though it was factory fitted.
This is Josh’s daily driver, and like anyone who cares about their new car, the next natural step was to get it cosmetically protected. Fortunately, Alex in the Torque Detailing department was more than happy to help!
Having been ceramic coated, Josh's Jimny looks awesome, and with the APIO kit, it is especially unique on UK roads.
The humble Jimny is becoming a super popular request to source through our Personal Import Service. If you're looking for a retro, capable, and reliable little 4x4, you really don't need to look any further!
