Suzuki Jimny gets more power under the hood but is it worth it?

We all know the Suzuki Jimny is one of the most capable 4x4s on sale today. Despite its small size, the Jimny's short overhangs and lightweight construction allow it to go over any terrain with ease. Perhaps the only complaint of some 4x4 enthusiasts with the Jimny is its 1.5L naturally-aspirated inline-four which could use a bit more oomph.

With only 100 PS and 130 Nm on tap, some think the Jimny needs to get more power under the hood. Fortunately, an Australian-based tuner shop decided to give it the extra power it needs. Harrop Engineering has come up with a solution to solve the Jimny's need for more horsepower and torque with a supercharger kit.

Tuner supercharges Suzuki Jimny to make up to 144 PS image

The kit consists of a TVS900 supercharger, a recalibrated ECU, a water-to-air intercooler, a custom airbox made from carbon fiber, and a bypass valve to improve fuel efficiency at low RPMs. As a result, power goes up to 144 PS and 168 Nm of torque when fitted with a cold-air intake system and aftermarket exhaust. Without a cold air intake and custom exhaust, the tuner says output still goes up to an impressive 136 PS and 149 Nm of pull.

All seems well and good with the supercharger kit but there's one caveat for the extra power. Harrop Engineering says the kit is only compatible with the 4-speed automatic transmission. Based on a report by CarExpert, those with a 5-speed manual transmission on their Jimny will need to modify the gearbox to handle the additional torque.

Tuner supercharges Suzuki Jimny to make up to 144 PS image

How much will the supercharger kit set you back? Well, interested customers will have to shell out a hefty AUD 10,990 or around PHP 399,000. Would you want to fit your Jimny with a supercharger or would you rather prefer a turbo kit to get more power out of the tiny 4x4?