Renault India, a wholly owned subsidiary of Renault Group, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to enhance its vehicle engineering and research capabilities through advanced aerodynamic testing and collaborative innovation. Under the agreement, Renault India will utilize IIT Kanpur’s National Wind Tunnel Facility (NWTF) to carry out aerodynamic and wind-noise evaluations for its passenger vehicles. The collaboration is expected to support the development of vehicles with improved efficiency, performance and refinement by combining Renault’s global engineering expertise with one of India’s most advanced automotive testing facilities.
The partnership will enable Renault India to validate aerodynamic performance and wind-noise characteristics against defined engineering benchmarks, helping engineers optimize vehicle design and improve overall driving performance. The initiative also reflects Renault’s continued investment in engineering-led product development and its focus on leveraging India’s growing research ecosystem.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr Vikraman V, Chief of Engineering, Renault Group India, said, “This collaboration strengthens our engineering capabilities in India by bringing together Renault’s global expertise and IIT Kanpur’s advanced research infrastructure. The National Wind Tunnel Facility will play an important role in supporting the development of future vehicle platforms while reinforcing India’s contribution to Renault’s global engineering and innovation network.”
Prof Dr Alakesh Chandra Mandal, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Coordinator, National Wind Tunnel Facility, IIT Kanpur, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Renault India in advancing automotive research. The partnership demonstrates the versatility of the National Wind Tunnel Facility and provides an opportunity to apply our expertise beyond aerospace to support innovation in vehicle engineering.”
The National Wind Tunnel Facility is India’s first state-of-the-art wind tunnel dedicated to advanced aerodynamic research. It features a continuous closed-jet test section measuring 3.0 metres by 2.25 metres and supports highly accurate aerodynamic testing at speeds ranging from 80 km/h to 280 km/h. The facility is currently being upgraded to accommodate testing at speeds exceeding 400 km/h, expanding its capabilities for future mobility and high-performance vehicle research. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes the framework for collaboration, covering commercial engagement, intellectual property management and confidentiality, ensuring a structured and mutually beneficial partnership.
Renault India manufactures its vehicles at its production facility in Oragadam, near Chennai, which has an annual installed capacity of 480,000 units. The company also operates an extensive nationwide sales and service network comprising nearly 638 customer touchpoints, including more than 200 Workshop on Wheels locations, supporting customers across India.
