ROYAL FLUSH

The Renault Kiger’s only completed its first year on sale, and it’s already racked up the accomplishments — from being one of Renault India’s top volume drivers to its 4-star adult protection GNCAP rating — with the perfect drive from the Queen of the hills to the Princess of the hills to celebrate it in style…

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It seems like there’s no dearth of a taste for royalty, or optimism, for inhabitants of hill stations around India. Look up some of the famous ones, erstwhile colonial summer retreats especially, and you’ll quickly find they all proudly proclaim to be the queen of the hills. In North India alone, you’ll find two famous examples (Mussoorie and Darjeeling, if you’re interested), while in the south, that distinction is taken by Ooty, now a thriving town (verging on city, really) nestled in the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu. To avoid the clash between those northern towns we mentioned, the other famous hill getaway here — Kodaikanal — has been christened the Princess of the hills. And it’s only fitting that the car (and its achievements) we’re celebrating on this journey is worthy of being the king of the segment — the Renault Kiger.

Legend has it that its name was derived from kaiser (or emperor), so the analogy fits well enough. In the year that it’s been on sale, the Kiger has only gone from strength to strength, being one of Renault India’s top volume drivers, and cementing its popularity with Indian car buyers. Not to mention the other accolades that have poured in, being one of five cars all over the world shortlisted for the prestigious World Car Awards this year. For the Kiger, a made-in-India, for India and the world, that’s high praise. Of course, the fact that it’s also been awarded a praiseworthy 4-star adult occupant protection rating by the Global NCAP is further validation that there’s more than meets the eye with the Kiger.