The motor vehicle market in India is a highly competitive one and while there are a number of domestic brands, foreign brands also put up a strong fight for share. And the market volume is large enough to justify investing in developing country-specific models.
For Renault, India has been an attractive market which has been growing since it entered in 2005 and it has adapted models to the local market like the Duster as well as introduced original products such as Kwid and Triber.
Soon, another India-specific product will be introduced by the French carmaker and to give a preview, it has presented a showcar known as the Kiger. As would be expected, it is a SUV, the type of vehicle which is in hot demand today all over the world.
Eye-catching little SUV
The Kiger, which is under 4 metres in length, was created from the cooperation between Renault’s French and Indian design divisions. It has been given an adventurous look which blends well with the urban jungle as well as the natural jungle.
At first glance, the Kiger stands out with its sculpted bonnet, slender windscreen and a semi-floating roof with a roof rack. On both sides, the tapered mirrors have been designed like airplane wings. At the rear, the trailing edge is topped by a spoiler that is functional and also adds a sporty touch.
The lower section is more muscular and stockier, sitting on four 19-inch wheels framed by large square arches that give strength to the exterior styling. The 210-mm ground clearance with reinforced lower flaps and prominent shoulders will prove useful on rough terrain or bad roads.
The sporty side is accentuated by the dual centrally located exhaust tailpipes and the honeycomb patterns distributed around the vehicle.
For the showcar, double-stage LED spotlights, similar to those that appeared on the New Kwid last year, and green turn signals are fitted. At the rear, the double ‘C’ headlights signal Kiger’s place under the Renault brand and form a light signature that prefigures that of the production model.
‘Aurora Borealis’ colour
The showcar is finished in a green ‘Aurora Borealis’ colour which changes according to the light and the angle from which it is observed. It is adorned with ‘mysterious’ blue and purple reflections that make the car as intriguing as well as seductive.
Fluorescent touches highlight certain aluminium elements such as door handles, bumper inserts, strapping with inlaid decoration, logo contours and brake calipers.
“The creative association of French and Indian designers was the best way to meet the needs and expectations of a clientele increasingly fond of style, dynamism and novelty. As with the Triber, we are once again demonstrating our ability to innovate, by offering a new model with a dual personality, both urban and outdoor,” said Laurens van den Acker, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Design of Groupe Renault, confirming that the Kiger will become a production model.
