Key points
- DAMD unveils Jimny Armata, a themed build based on the five door Suzuki Jimny.
- Styling takes inspiration from iconic Italian rally cars, especially the Lancia Delta Integrale.
- Uses DAMD’s “Little D” front kit with quad circular headlamps and a custom grille.
- Gains metal off road bumpers, skid plate, yellow fog lamps and trail focused add ons.
- Dimensions remain identical to the stock five door Jimny, but suspension appears lifted.
- OZ Racing alloy wheels, chunky tyres and roof mounted IPF amber lamps enhance off road cred.
- Truck style heated mirrors with angle memory and retro upholstery complete the theme.
- Powertrain is unchanged, it retains the 1.5 litre NA petrol engine with manual or automatic gearbox and part time 4WD, as in the Japanese market Jimny.
Japanese aftermarket specialist DAMD, known for its retro themed body kits, has revealed a new customised version of the five door Suzuki Jimny, called the Jimny Armata. Unlike some wild concept builds, the Armata keeps the Jimny’s basic boxy silhouette and footprint intact, but layers on aggressive styling and purpose built hardware to give it the feel of a compact, rally bred off roader.
The project continues DAMD’s tradition of transforming modern Japanese cars into tributes to classic European icons, this time with a clear tilt toward Italian rally legends.
Design inspired by classic Lancia rally cars
The Jimny Armata draws its visual inspiration from classic Italian performance cars, with a particular nod to the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale and other Group A rally machines. Up front, DAMD has reworked the fascia using its existing “Little D” kit, which replaces the factory grille and headlamps with a bespoke setup.
The new grille is paired with circular quad headlamps, instantly giving the Jimny a rally era face that enthusiasts will associate with the Delta Integrale. The combination of round lights, squared off body lines and upright stance gives the compact SUV a distinctive, old school motorsport character while still recognisably being a Jimny.
Rugged armour, higher stance
To underline its off road intent, the Armata wears metal bumpers at both ends that offer better approach and departure angles compared to the stock plastic units. A prominent skid plate protects the underbody, while yellow tinted auxiliary fog lamps add both function and a classic rally car touch. Additional trail ready accessories, including recovery points and protective cladding, complete the rugged look.
On paper, the Jimny Armata remains exactly the same size as the standard five door Jimny. It measures 3,820 mm in length and sits on a 2,590 mm wheelbase, dimensions that help the Jimny remain nimble on tight trails. However, the Armata clearly appears to sit higher than stock, suggesting a suspension lift or revised springs and dampers. The regular Jimny offers 210 mm of ground clearance, and this visual lift should translate to better obstacle clearance and approach angles off road.
Off road focused wheels, tyres and lighting
DAMD has fitted the Armata with OZ Racing alloy wheels, finished in military style colours that match the SUV’s tough persona. OZ Racing is a well known Italian wheel manufacturer with a deep connection to motorsport, so the choice further reinforces the rally theme. These wheels are wrapped in chunky off road tyres, which not only fill out the wheel arches but also promise improved grip on mud, gravel and rocky terrain.
On the roof, the tuner has installed four compact amber LED positioning lamps from IPF, a respected Japanese manufacturer of auxiliary lighting. These lamps improve visibility during night time trail runs and add a functional, rally raid look. The raised roof lighting, metal bumpers and skid plate together give the Armata a much stronger road presence than the factory Jimny.
Practical truck style mirrors, retro cabin
Another standout feature on the Jimny Armata is the pair of truck style side view mirrors. These large, squared mirrors extend outward more than the stock units and give the SUV a utilitarian, commercial vehicle inspired appearance. Importantly, they are not just cosmetic, DAMD says they come with built in heaters to keep them clear in cold or wet weather, as well as an angle memory function that allows drivers to quickly return to a preferred setting.
Inside, the cabin has been tweaked to echo the retro exterior theme. The seats are finished in fabric upholstery with a classic pattern and texture, moving away from the more modern look of the regular Jimny. This treatment, along with subtle trim changes, aims to create the feel of an old school rally support vehicle or military spec 4×4, while retaining all the basic ergonomics and layout of the stock interior.
Familiar 1.5 litre powertrain retained
Despite the visual drama and genuine off road equipment, DAMD has not altered the Jimny’s mechanical heart. The Jimny Armata is expected to use the same 1.5 litre, naturally aspirated, four cylinder petrol engine that powers the standard model. In Japanese specification, this unit produces around 103 hp and 134 Nm of peak torque, figures that prioritise reliability and tractable low end response rather than outright speed.
The engine continues to be paired with either a five speed manual gearbox or a four speed automatic, depending on the base vehicle chosen by the customer. As with the regular Jimny, the Armata build retains Suzuki’s part time four wheel drive system with a low range transfer case, which is a key reason why the Jimny is so popular with off road enthusiasts worldwide.
Availability and enthusiast interest
For now, the Jimny Armata is being showcased as a complete themed build for the Japanese market, where the five door Jimny has joined the long established three door model. DAMD typically offers its kits as aftermarket packages that owners can purchase and have fitted through authorised installers, so a similar approach is expected with the Armata.
The company has not announced export plans for the Armata package yet, but given the growing fan base of the five door Jimny in markets like India and Australia, enthusiasts will be watching closely to see if the kit, or parts of it, become available internationally through official or independent channels.
