Yorkshire vehicle modifiers Twisted are to produce their first non-Land Rover model as they launch the Twisted Suzuki Jimny.

The new model will be the first time in the company’s 21-year history that a full conversion has been carried out on something other than a classic Land Rover Defender.

Twisted’s initial offering will be based on the two-seater Suzuki Jimny Light Commercial Vehicle and customers interested in the Suzuki Jimny, redefined by Twisted, are being encouraged to register their interest. There are expected to be just a handful available as the although the Suzuki Jimny is technically still on sale, demand has been high.

Passenger car versions of the Suzuki Jimny are already off sale due to emissions regulations, but the N1 classification of the Suzuki Jimny LCV has enabled it to remain on sale. It is not yet know how many Jimny LCVs will be available but the UK’s initial allocation when it was announced was around 600 units. Twisted will be battling it out with customers eager to snap up the mini-off roader which was launched at a price of just £16,796 (ex VAT).

A five-door Suzuki Jimny variant has been announced for Africa, Australia, India and Latin America but there are currently thought to be no plans to introduce it into the UK.

Charles Fawcett, founder and MD of Twisted, said, “The much-loved Suzuki Jimny is a pure, proper little offroader. It’s evocative, engaging, and endearing. It’s almost a miniature Defender with similar architecture, driveline and analogue feel. The Jimny is one of the very few vehicles still in production with the same driving essence as when its predecessors were launched over 40 years ago.”

Full technical details of the Twisted mods will be released as Twisted Suzuki Jimny nears completion but Fawcett says that the Twisted Jimny will have more engaging handling and better power delivery. It will also use Twisted wheels and tyre packs, and get their own specially honed suspension.

In addition there will be increased sound deadening, and upgraded infotainment system and a customised Twisted interior – all of which sound like pretty sensible upgrades to the Jimny Commercial which is far from a sensible or practical little van.

Pricing for the Twisted Suzuki Jimny is expected to be in the region of under £50k without VAT.