French auto major Renault Group has inaugurated its new Renault Design Centre in Chennai, as part of its new India-centric transformation strategy – renault. rethink.

The new design centre further strengthens the company’s ‘design in India’ and ‘make in India’ strategy. It is also expected to function as a hub of excellence, particularly due to its proximity to Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India (RNTBCI).

Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer, Renault Group, said, "India is highly unique and locally driven. Having a dedicated design studio is essential to understanding its nuances, listening to its needs and building from its strengths. The Renault Design Centre Chennai will focus on developing models and concepts tailored to the Indian market while contributing to Renault Group’s global projects. By leveraging local talents and insights, this centre will play a key role in shaping Renault’s future mobility solutions. Its strategic location - at the heart of RNTBCI’s excellence hub - also enables closer collaboration across functions and faster integration of design into our engineering and innovation processes.”

Renault shared that the year 2025 marks an inflection point for the automaker in India, as it gears up to strengthen its presence in the world’s third-largest automobile market.

Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO and Managing Director, Renault India Operations, said, "The launch of the 'renault. rethink' strategy heralds a new era for Renault in India. We are proud to be the most Indian of European carmakers, boasting the largest R&D centre, manufacturing unit, highly localised supply chain and now one of the largest design centres. The opening of new design centre in Chennai will play a crucial role in the deployment of the Renault International Game Plan 2027. Our commitment is to redefine our brand, product positioning, and customer experience to meet the evolving needs of our customers in the country, hence we recently witnessed the global debut of new ‘R store’ in Chennai, India."

It has renewed its commitment for India with a 90 percent localisation target, and the recent takeover of the alliance’s manufacturing plant RNAIPL.

In 2024, Renault Group clocked a record EUR 4.3 billion in profit, which is 7.6 percent of its revenue, and saw its revenue grow to EUR 56.2 billion, up 7.4 percent YoY.

Design & Engineering in India

At present, Renault Group’s Chennai R&D centre is one of its largest globally, with around 10,000 engineering working on global and local projects. Now, the Renault Design Centre Chennai extends over 1,500 metre and is equipped with the latest technologies. It features a high-tech environment designed for 3D model evaluation and virtual reality experiences, a next-generation visualisation studio, a creative collaboration zone, high-performance LED wall, advanced VR integration and a harmonious blend of European and Indian Design.

“renault. rethink is more than a sculpture – it’s a bold expression of Renault’s vision for India. It symbolises our commitment to innovation and to designing cars in India, for India. This artwork captures the energy of a nation in motion, a future taking shape, and Renault’s ambition to be part of this exciting journey,” stated Acker.

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Ferrari has revealed the livery of its 100-foot flying ocean monohull during Milan Design Week, marking a major step in offshore sailing where innovation, aerodynamics and design research converge. The project, named Ferrari Hypersail, emerges from a creative process that blends the Maranello manufacturer’s aesthetic language with cutting edge maritime technology, underscoring a deepening relationship between design, performance and engineering.

The initiative functions as an open innovation platform, merging diverse expertise into a collective effort to redefine nautical possibilities. Key contributors include the Ferrari Tech Team guided by Matteo Lanzavecchia and Marco Guglielmo Ribigini, the Ferrari Design Studio led by Flavio Manzoni and naval architect Guillaume Verdier. Their goal is to transfer into the yachting world the same design philosophy that distinguishes Ferrari’s road cars, balancing constant innovation with respect for form.

In Hypersail, design arises directly from function, with every volume shaped by the interaction of wind, water and speed. As an offshore vessel, aesthetic decisions developed under strict aerodynamic and engineering constraints from the outset. The Ferrari Design Studio worked closely with the engineering team and Verdier to turn hydrodynamic and structural limitations into aesthetic opportunities.

The monohull’s streamlined silhouette recalls the proportions seen in the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2. The deck’s coachroof exterior echoes the graphic architecture of the Le Mans winning Hypercar 499P. Surfaces on the deck and coachroof, developed directly by the Ferrari Design Studio, ensure maximum technical efficiency, mirroring the development process of any Ferrari car. Solar panels integrated into the deck and hull sides are walkable with a specific grip, positioned after advanced study of solar exposure during navigation.

For the livery, the studio chose Nuovo Giallo Fly, a yellow shade with deep narrative roots. Historically representing Ferrari’s second soul, Giallo Fly first appeared on the 275 GTB, inspired by Fiamma Breschi, friend of Enzo Ferrari and widow of driver Luigi Musso. The name Fly creates a linguistic link to the vessel’s foiling nature. The carbon fibre hull appears in a new grey variant, Grigio Hypersail, expressing the material’s lightness and performance. The interplay between Grigio Hypersail and Nuovo Giallo Fly evokes Ferrari’s stylistic codes, including the colour separation of the 512 BB, while the Ferrari logo on the sail continues the elongated F motif seen on recent Formula 1 cars and other models.

From 22 to 26 April, Hypersail will be exhibited at the Ferrari Flagship Store in Milan through a dedicated display. The project also includes a lighthouse installation, an exclusive sculpture by the Ferrari Design Studio on the HIGHLINE Milano terrace overlooking Piazza del Duomo, positioning Hypersail as a symbol of future technology and performance in offshore sailing.

Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari Chief Design Officer, said, “Hypersail represented an unexpected opportunity for the Ferrari Design Studio; a challenging objective due to its complexity, which allowed us to extend our creative research into a context different from our usual one. In reality, the Design Studio is not new to this kind of endeavour. In the past, the experience gained in racing car projects, one of the most technologically advanced sectors, has encouraged exploration into more complex fields, allowing us to test ourselves and expand our expertise.”

Matteo Lanzavecchia, Head of Vehicle Engineering at Ferrari and Chief Technology Officer of Hypersail, said, “Hypersail is a vessel unique in scale and technology, engineered to deliver peak performance within an environment as singular and unpredictable as the ocean. This is achieved through its core concept: foiling, made possible by a sophisticated control system, leveraging the expertise gained from our automotive developments, and powered by energy recovered from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and motion. The strategic choice of a monohull arises from the synergy between maximum hydrodynamic and aerodynamic efficiency. Throughout every design phase, the collaboration with the Design Studio allowed us to accentuate and refine Hypersail’s forms and features, establishing it as a definitive benchmark of design and innovation.”

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Amaron, the automotive battery brand under Amara Raja Energy & Mobility, has successfully engaged more than 5,000 mechanics nationwide through its Amaron Boss Mechanic programme, underscoring its dedication to India’s automotive service sector. The company now aims to dramatically expand the initiative, targeting 25,000 mechanics in future seasons.

The four-week on-ground initiative was structured around practical workshop tasks, allowing participants to showcase technical skill, speed, consistency and problem-solving abilities. A grand finale featured the Battery Boost & Endurance Challenge, a rigorous test of accuracy, pace and stamina. Winners were declared in Patna, Indore, Lucknow, Kolkata and Pune, with each receiving a new motorcycle. All finalists earned certificates and branded mementos.

By celebrating mechanics as trusted experts rather than just service providers, Amaron strengthens its grassroots connections across key markets. With plans to scale the programme into one of India’s largest mechanic engagement platforms, the initiative reflects the brand’s enduring promise of reliability and long-lasting performance.

Chandrasekar Radhakrishnan, Chief Business Officer – Automotive and Home Energy Business (India & SAARC), Amara Raja Energy & Mobility, said, “Amaron has built its brand not just through products but through strong relationships at the grassroots level, especially with the mechanic community. Every day, vehicles across India run reliably because of countless acts of quiet dedication by mechanics, and we believe great work happens in the quiet. Through Amaron Boss Mechanic, we celebrate the skill and trust that power the automotive ecosystem. The overwhelming response inspires us to take this initiative to more cities.”

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Horse Powertrain, a global leader in innovative and low-emission powertrain systems, is all set to unveil a new ‘all-in-one’ powertrain, the X‑Range C15 Direct Drive, at the Beijing Auto Show 2026. The unit consolidates a four-cylinder engine, transmission, power electronics and an electric motor into a single shared housing. Designed for rear subframe mounting, double isolated installation significantly improves noise, vibration and harshness.

This system replaces the rear electric drive unit on existing battery electric vehicle platforms. A manufacturer can maintain one common architecture across battery electric, hybrid, plug in hybrid and range extended electric model lines without substantial design or production changes. The X‑Range C15 Direct Drive joins the Horse F15 for front drive units and the Horse C15 range extender.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine comes in two states. A naturally aspirated version produces 70 kilowatts for B and C segment cars. A turbocharged variant delivers 120 kilowatts for larger D segment vehicles and light commercial vans. Both integrate with a dedicated hybrid transmission and two electric motors.

The two motors follow a P1 plus P3 configuration. The P1 motor acts as a generator, outputting 70 kilowatts in the naturally aspirated variant or 110 kilowatts when turbocharged. The P3 motor provides electric traction independently in serial mode or together with the engine in parallel mode, where direct connection boosts efficiency beyond pure serial hybrids.

Depending on automaker needs, the unit can power rear wheels alone or enable all-wheel drive when paired with another electric drive on the front axle. Rear axle placement allows compact exhaust integration, freeing floor space for batteries or passengers. The unit contains a full set of power electronics ready to integrate with a DC‑DC converter, onboard charger and 800-volt booster.

Horse Powertrain will display the X‑Range C15 Direct Drive at the Beijing Auto Show 2026 in Hall A1, Booth A111. A press conference on its strategic vision and hero products is scheduled for 24 April 2026 at 11:40 AM China Standard Time.

Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer, Horse Powertrain, said, “The X-Range family of powertrains is about reflecting today’s market realities, allowing automakers to pivot from BEVs to hybrids and range extenders on a single platform, quickly and at scale. The X-Range C15 Direct Drive is an ‘all-in-one’ powertrain, allowing BEV platforms to be converted to HEVs, PHEVs and REEVs with little redesign or tooling changes required, dramatically reducing time-to-market, amortising BEV investments and catering to the diverse array of mobility needs in today’s global market.”

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South Korean automotive major Hyundai Motor Company and Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to develop and mass-produce electric three-wheeler (E3W) solutions for the Indian market.

The partnership follows the debut of an electric three-wheeler concept at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 and aims to address the specific requirements of last-mile mobility in India.

Under the agreement, Hyundai Motor will manage the primary design and lead co-development efforts using its global research and development expertise. TVS Motor will contribute its established electric platform, engineering experience in the three-wheeler segment and local market insights. TVS will also oversee manufacturing operations in India, managing both domestic sales and future export activities.

L-R: Sharad Mishra, President, Group Strategy, TVS Motor Company; K N Radhakrishnan, Director and CEO, TVS Motor Company; Amitabh Lal Das, Chief Legal Officer of Hyundai Motor India and Joongsun Ko, Senior Vice-President of Corporate Strategy & Planning, Hyundai Motor Company.

A central component of the JDA is the localisation of manufacturing. Major components for the E3W will be sourced and produced within India to reduce costs, strengthen the local supply chain and ensure the availability of spare parts. The EV is being engineered with features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon conditions, enhanced thermal management for tropical climates and modular interiors for passenger and cargo use.

Joongsun Ko, Senior Vice-President of Corporate Strategy & Planning, Hyundai Motor Company, stated, “Hyundai Motor Company has long explored ways to contribute to improving India’s transportation environment as a key market and our collaboration with TVS Motor is a strategic decision rooted in that effort. We hope the co-developed E3W enables broader access to safer and more sustainable transportation for people across the country.”

Sharad Mishra, President, Group Strategy, TVS Motor Company, said, “At TVS Motor Company, we aim to transform quality of life through sustainable and accessible mobility. The Joint Development Agreement marks an important step in our partnership with Hyundai Motor Company and advances our shared ambition to develop electric three-wheeler solutions. By bringing together complementary strengths - including our electric three-wheeler platform, engineering expertise, and deep understanding of customer needs - we are well-positioned to deliver purpose-built products for India and additional markets."

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