Renault India, the wholly owned subsidiary of Renault Group, has announced a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to strengthen its vehicle research and development capabilities in India.

As part of the collaboration, Renault India will utilise IIT Kanpur’s National Wind Tunnel Facility (NWTF) to conduct advanced aerodynamic and wind-noise testing for its passenger vehicles. The partnership reinforces Renault’s commitment to developing future-ready vehicles through innovation, advanced engineering and collaboration with leading Indian research institutions.

The collaboration combines Renault’s global engineering expertise with one of India’s most sophisticated testing and research facilities, supporting the development of vehicles that deliver enhanced efficiency, safety and performance.

Through access to the NWTF, Renault India will be able to validate vehicle aerodynamic characteristics and wind-noise performance against defined engineering targets, enabling more precise product development and optimisation.

“This partnership marks an important step in strengthening Renault’s engineering capabilities in India. By collaborating with IIT Kanpur and leveraging the National Wind Tunnel Facility, we are bringing together world-class research infrastructure and Renault’s global engineering expertise to develop futuREady vehicles. This collaboration also reflects India’s growing importance within Renault’s global innovation and engineering ecosystem,” said Dr Vikraman V, Chief of Engineering, Renault Group India.

“We are pleased to partner with Renault India in advancing automotive research and development. This collaboration highlights the versatility of the National Wind Tunnel Facility and represents an important opportunity to extend our expertise beyond aerospace applications to support innovation in the automotive sector,” said Prof Dr Alakesh Chandra Mandal, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Co-ordinator, NWTF.

The National Wind Tunnel Facility is India’s first state-of-the-art facility of its kind. It features a continuous closed-jet test section measuring 3.0 m × 2.25 m (9.84 ft × 7.38 ft), enabling highly accurate aerodynamic evaluations at speeds ranging from 80 km/h to 280 km/h (approximately 50 mph to 174 mph). The facility is currently being upgraded to support testing at speeds exceeding 400 km/h (approximately 249 mph), further enhancing its advanced research capabilities.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a comprehensive framework governing commercial engagement, intellectual property management and confidentiality, ensuring a transparent and mutually beneficial partnership between Renault India and IIT Kanpur.