Xiaomi debuts Bluetooth-controlled 1:16 Suzuki Jimny

Click to enlarge

What doesn’t Xiaomi, the smartphone and appliance brand, make these days? A car might be a long shot, but the company teased exactly that on Weibo on Sunday. After getting tongues wagging, Xiaomi has given its car a debut, although this car isn’t one that you can drive, nor is the design theirs.

The China company’s latest product is a remote-controlled Suzuki Jimny in 1:16 scale. Retailing for 199 yuan (RM120) in China (introductory price of 179 yuan or RM108), the RC version of Suzuki’s fourth-generation small 4×4 by Xiaomi can be controlled via smartphone, with the app installed and Bluetooth hooked up.

If the shell looks realistic, what’s under the skin is decent too. The RC Jimny’s ladder frame chassis is made from shockproof nylon material, linked to suspension with shock absorbers and coil springs. Torque from the motor goes to all wheels, which are wrapped with off-road tyres.

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This tiny Jimny comes with a digital servo, and users can steer the car by moving the phone around, manipulating the device’s g sensor. Apparently, this RC Jimny is made from over 200 components, and parts for mods are on the cards.

Xiaomi has toyed with the idea of real cars before, even if it has not materialised yet. According to the South China Morning Post, in 2017, the company reported in a regulatory filing in India that it might sell electric vehicles. Last year, Xiaomi partnered with Chinese carmaker FAW for its version of the Bestune T77 SUV, which allowed its home products to be controlled by voice command in the car.

This month, the Beijing-based company registered a Chinese trademark that roughly translates as “Xiaomi car alliance”. Earlier this year, Sony shocked CES 2020 with its Vision-S concept car – Mi-Car next?

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Jeremy on Jun 30, 2020 at 6:33 pm

    Selling for 199k in tomyamland, this Jimny retailing for 199 yuan in China is bucket berbaloi.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Brian on Jun 30, 2020 at 6:43 pm

    Lolz! After LEGO cars, now is RC! Next? Scale model replicas from Bburago & Maisto I hope.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Zaini on Jun 30, 2020 at 7:53 pm

    Shut up and take my money ! Lai, lai, lai

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Just sharing on Jun 30, 2020 at 10:05 pm

    Xiaomi makes rather good quality electronic products aside from phones. Its range of earphones are surprisingly good despite the low prices. I was sceptical of the quality at first like most people of China-made products, but was thoroughly surprised when I tried one. I even have a Xiaomi hair trimmer which feels much more expensive than the price tag might suggest.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Just like Volvos, everyone here says they’re a better buy than BMW Mercedes etc but in real life they dont buy them

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • 25yrsOld on Jul 01, 2020 at 9:08 am

      exactly. any road cars can accelerate and fast enough for road regulations.

      beyond this, we only need a face value, i.e Branding.
      Volvo apa? Uncle punya

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Kyosho on Jun 30, 2020 at 11:58 pm

    Look alike kyosho miniZ jimmy

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • albag on Jul 01, 2020 at 12:33 pm

    when can we buy this?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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