After the humble Kwid, came the larger Triber
MPV and now a new model is about to be launched. If you wanted all that space
but not the extra third row of seats, Renault will also be bringing out a new
SUV called Kiger. Based on the same platform and scheduled for launch in
October, the new SUV essentially completes Renault’s foray into the most
sought-after automotive segments in the Indian market.
The Renault Kiger has already been in its
developmental stage for a while, it has even been spotted by keen enthusiasts
multiple times over. The Kiger was seen with a
negligible amount of camouflage applied to its front fascia and this has given
us the first real look of its design and proportions. While the front shares
quite a few design cues with the Triber MPV and the latest Kwid, it also
features unique touches to help it stand apart. The grille gets a two-slat,
chrome-plated treatment, with a bold Renault emblem in the middle and flanked
by a pair of sleek-looking LED DRLs. Below this, you’ll find a butch front
bumper design, which features cube-shaped LED headlamps enclosed within
parallelogram-shaped black plastic housings.
Overall, the front features quite a modern
and purposeful look. In fact, despite the shared underpinnings, the Kiger
manages to look wider and more menacing than the Triber MPV. While earlier test
mules had their alloys completely covered with camouflage, the latest versions
give us a much clearer picture. The side profile features a steeply raking belt
line, complemented by equally sporty 8-spoke alloy wheels. The rear profile
will feature edgy, wrap-around tail lights and a pronounced lip in the middle
to add an extra dose of sportiness.
The first glimpses of the test mules cabin
show that the Kiger could offer features like an 8-inch touchscreen
infotainment, digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, engine
start/stop button, and steering mounted audio, telephony & vehicle
information controls. While it is yet to be confirmed, the Renault Kiger is
likely to be powered by two versions of the 1.0-litre three-pot unit found in
the Triber and Kwid. The first will be the mechanically identical naturally aspirated
version putting out 72BHP/96Nm, the second could be a turbocharged version of
the same engine with a rumoured output of 95bhp. The former could be paired to
a 5-speed MT/5-Speed AMT options, the latter might feature 5-Speed MT/CVT
gearbox options.
We expect prices of the all-new Renault
Kiger to start around INR 5.5 lakh and push up to INR 9 lakh for the
top-of-the-line versions. When launched in October, the new SUV will compete
against the likes of the Marti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and Mahindra
XUV 300.