The Business Bytes
PRIYABRAT BISWAL
BHUBANESWAR, JANUARY 28, 2021
French auto maker Renault on Thursday unveiled its upcoming compact SUV Kiger in India, which it plans to launch in the country in the current quarter. After Kwid and Triber, Kiger is the company’s third model, which would be introduced in India, followed by other markets.
Designed in India and France, KIGER, the first sub 4-meter compact SUV from Renault, would be commercially launched in the first quarter of 2021.
Renault KIGER has already made a striking presence thanks to its ‘Stunning’ design, which depicts a very strong personality. It has been designed with a host of sporty and muscular elements and stands out as a true SUV. On the inside, KIGER’s ‘Smart’ cabin combines technology, functionality and roominess.
The Renault KIGER will use two engine options – 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine delivering 100 PS and 160 Nm, and 1.0 L petrol engine with an output of 72 PS and 96 Nm. The transmission option will include a five-speed manual and a five-speed EASY-R AMT on the 1.0 L petrol engine, and five-speed manual and 5-speed X-TRONIC CVT on the 1.0-litre turbocharged unit.
KIGER gets functional roof rails, 16-inch alloy wheels, black cladding on the sides and a split C-shaped tail lamp.
It packs the best in class boot space at 405 litres and commendable 210 mm of ground clearance. It has a 7-inch infotainment system, an all-black dashboard and fully-digital driver’s display.
“KIGER combines the best Renault has to offer: our expertise in innovative cars with the creativity and in-depth knowledge of customer needs. A strong proof that Renault really is a game-changer,” said Fabrice Cambolive, SVP, Renault Brand, Sales & Operations.
“True to the promise of the show-car, Renault KIGER is a robust, dynamic and generous SUV. Armed for travel in the urban jungle, we also designed it for the outdoors and to easily navigate any type of road conditions. KIGER has a distinctive SUV look and its long wheelbase enables great space and volume on board. Its ‘smart cabin’ has been specially designed to encourage sharing and convenience,” added Laurens van den Acker, EVP, Head of Design, Groupe Renault.
“Kiger is the third global car after Kwid and Triber, which would debut in India before any other market. With this, we enter the B-SUV segment, which currently accounts for 50 per cent of the industry sales right now,” Renault India Operations Country CEO and Managing Director Venkatram Mamillapalle said.
Renault has continued to move forward in the country and has navigated the challenging macro-economic environment, bettering the industry trends, he added.
“We have managed this by our robust business strategy, which includes our exciting product range, laser-sharp focus on quality and customer-centricity and our aggressive network ramp up across the country,” Mamillapalle said.
Renault sold over 80,000 units last year, and its cumulative sales have crossed the 7 lakh mark in the country.
Mamillapalle informed that the company is expanding its sales network in the country, and in the last year alone, it has set up 120 sales and service outlets.
