Renault’s Making A Jimny For 2027, But Even The French Don’t Get It

Update: Renault has released the first official photos of the Bridger Concept, along with additional details about the upcoming small SUV.

Suzuki’s little go-anywhere Jimny SUV is a forbidden fruit for most new car buyers in the West, and it looks like Renault is going to amplify that hurt. The French automaker has teased a new tough, baby SUV built to rival the Jimny, but unless you live in Asia or the Middle East, you won’t be able to get your hands on one.

It’s called the Bridger Concept, and from the images released so far it looks like a chunky little off-roader with more attitude than its size suggests. Think city-friendly dimensions with a dash of Land Rover Defender flavor.

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Renault says the Bridger will measure under 4 m (157.5 inches) long, which makes it genuinely compact. For reference, the new Renault 4 stretches to about 4.14 m (163 inches) and the Dacia Duster is closer to 4.34 m (171 inches).

So yes, this thing is properly small. Even so, Renault promises a surprisingly roomy cabin, with up to 200 mm (7.9 inches) of rear knee room and a 400-liter (14.1 cubic feet) trunk, which is actually more than you get in a VW Golf hatch.

The design appears deliberately rugged. The images reveal squared off proportions and a rear mounted spare wheel, which immediately brings to mind cars like the Suzuki Jimny. Whether it can actually tackle serious trails remains to be seen, but visually it’s definitely leaning into the tough SUV look.

Made In India For India

Renault says the concept previews a future production model that will play a key role in the brand’s international expansion plans. That production car will reportedly be designed and developed in India, likely at Renault’s plant in Chennai, but don’t expect to see it in European showrooms. The upcoming SUV is aimed primarily at markets such as India, Africa, and the Middle East.

ICE, EV And hybrid

Powertrain details haven’t been fully disclosed yet, but Renault says the model will ride on the Renault Group Modular Platform Small (RGMP Small). The architecture has been designed to support multiple propulsion systems, meaning the production version will be offered with combustion, hybrid, or fully electric powertrains depending on the market.

A look at the latest Renault Duster, which already offers a mix of combustion and hybrid powertrains depending on where it’s sold, should give us a rough idea of what might be on offer, at least on the combustion side.

The entry-level engine in the Duster is a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder producing 99 hp (100 PS), paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. A 1.3-liter turbo’d four making 158 hp (160 PS), this time mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, is next on the menu, and the flagship has a 1.8-liter hybrid with dual electric motors pushing out the same 158 hp.

A Small SUV We May Never Get

Renault plans to introduce a production version of the Bridger Concept in 2027, starting in India before gradually rolling it out to other international markets. Until then, we’re left with the images and the mildly frustrating realization that this pint-sized off-roader might be exactly the sort of SUV we’d like to get our hands on, but probably won’t be allowed to.