A new utility-focused SUV has launched in the UK, based on the Suzuki Jimny and targeting the small business, farm, livestock and leisure users.

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Priced from under £20k (€23,846), depending on the conversion, the Yomper 4×4 has been engineered to take a payload of 500kg and comes with a 12-month warranty.

It’s been developed by a West Yorkshire-based start-up and uses a specially adapted long wheelbase chassis, creating tray back ‘Bergan’ or alloy drop side ‘Commercial’ variants, available with 225 or 275 size wheelbases.

Both are said to deliver an unparalleled combination of load space and off-road capability.

Power comes from a standard Suzuki 1.3-litre 16v petrol engine, rebuilt inhouse and featuring new components and “serious upgrades” to ensure its ability as a workhorse.

The Yomper 4×4 is the brainchild of Samson Engineering – a specialist in the design, development and manufacture of bespoke commercial trailers and construction equipment – which responded to feedback in the local community about the lack of a suitable small utility SUV.

Giles Walker, Yomper 4×4 CEO, said: “You can’t buy an inexpensive go-anywhere working vehicle anymore, so I decided to make one.

“As an off-road and trials bike enthusiast myself, I know what makes a good SUV, so the natural choice for the base vehicle was the Suzuki Jimny – cheap, affordable and reliable, yet small enough to go where other off-roaders can’t and with exceptional off-road capabilities, without the issue of a heavy offroad ‘tyre print’.”

Walker created a brand-new chassis and bespoke alloy body for the Yomper, as well as converting the Jimny bodyshell into a chassis cab, with its own strengthened rear bulkhead.

The Bergan followed and was inspired by the Subaru MV ‘Brat’ pickup, with integrated pickup ‘tray back’ bodywork.

“There are other companies that have done Jimny pick-up conversions,” said Walker. “But none have gone as far as to create a bespoke body and chassis like that of the Yomper, which is essentially a ground-up vehicle that uses the Suzuki running gear and front bodywork more as components to create a full vehicle than as a basis for conversion. Those are the key engineering differences, and the fact we can offer both body style variants show the flexibility and bespoke nature of our design.

“The fact all our vehicles attain IVA approval is proof that our design and manufacturing approach is the correct one to take.”