Embracing the #LiveLodgycal way of life

Everyone loves a good holiday and the chance it offers to live free, leaving everyday hassles far behind. Nothing beats setting off on a vacation in a stonking new car though, especially when it comes with acres of space & an open invitation to come explore the twisty black-top. Just the mere thought of it lights up the face with a never ending smile and I’m sure you’ll agree to it too. That’s the #LiveLodgycal way of life, a world of endless possibilities waiting to be discovered in your own inimitable style. Which is why; the new Renault Lodgy is such an appealing option to me. Those large headlamps on the car light up the way, helping to keep me on the tarmac and, the rain wiper & defogger out back which keep you aware of those coming up from behind, especially with the monsoons making their presence felt.

Apart from the exterior features though, it is the on the inside where the #LiveLodgycal philosophy truly shines and that is where the action truly lies, since we carry our world with us when on a holiday. With me, there are a few things I like to bring along, and don’t give me that incredulous look as you read on. My action camera happens to be among the first things I pack these days. From mounting it on the inside of the windshield to letting it hang off the fenders, or leaving it strapped proudly up front, it helps capture the rush and to relive it all long after the trip is over. That nifty central upper storage with lid on the dashboard in the Renault Lodgy offers easy accessibility for my camera & its mounting hardware, even as it keeps things safe from prying eyes.

Having an appropriate soundtrack to accompany you is a must on a road trip. After all, one does need some sonorous support whilst navigating the changing road conditions, from choc-a-bloc traffic scenes to light throttle cruises and, all the way through to those full bore highway runs. My phone also doubles up as a media-house & in the Lodgy, all I need to do is sync it to the MediaNav system before stashing it away in the open storage above the glove box. It remains hidden from view as it streams the music that sets the tone for the trip, yet is accessible enough should that urgent-response query from the workplace make its dreaded appearance.

Passing through the quaint towns and their delectable aromas never fails to work up my appetite and a quick pit-stop is the only way to appease the taste-buds. This usually involves a balancing act as I try to sample the wares without feeding my clothes or spilling stuff onto the ground. But in the Renault Lodgy, you simply pull out those flight trays and put the cup-holders to good use! Now that’s what I call #LiveLodgycal.

Any time is a good time to hit the road and it all boils down to personal preference. With me, I prefer to travel overnight. The air is cooler, so the engine runs better and the bonus is that the sky can be quite mesmerizing at night. This is why, I love to carry my tent along in the boot, so I can pitch it by the roadside under the stars and spend my time marveling at the magic of the universe. Not only can I carry my tent easily but the flexible seating in the Renault Lodgy holds a ton of potential. For example, I merely have to deploy the 50:50 Split & Tumble fold feature in the last row & the 60:40 Split & Tumble fold in the second row to make space for my motorcycle. Yep, that’s not a typo or proof that I’ve gone stark raving mad. Having a car and a motorcycle to take along on a trip means that I get to enjoy the best of both worlds, driving till the end of the road & riding off along a just discovered off-road trail in the back of the woods.

There are cars and there are cars. Most hit the headlines for their red-lining engines and other performance specs that would be more suited to the race-track. But out here in the real world, where everyday living is what matters, flexibility and practicality along with frugal maintenance costs is what matters. This is where the Renault Lodgy scores. For cars that’d be this willing to cater to your every dream, no matter how far-fetched it may appear to be, even as they make you feel terrific as you drive in with a post vacation high the next work-day are rather special! Live free, #LiveLodgycal!

Note:

• I’m participating in the #LiveLodgycal contest with Renault in association with BlogAdda to get a chance to be a part of the #LiveLodgycal Drive in Goa