Industrial Design Discpline
Renault
Renault is a French multinational automobile manufacturer known for its innovation in hatchbacks, rally heritage, and commitment to human-centric, emotional design. Through projects like “Renaulution,” the brand aims to reconnect with modern consumers via sustainable, performance-driven, and stylistically bold vehicles.
B2C
Automobile
01
Details
Renault Zenix – The Final Hot Hatch
Sep – Dec 2022 | 3.5 months | Co-led with defined zones of responsibility
In collaboration with a 3-member team, we reimagined a future-ready Renault hatchback that pays tribute to the brand’s rally and hot hatch legacy. The result, is a micro-hatch concept designed for both Indian and European markets available in hybrid and electric variants, with bold styling, modular CMF design, and a circular sustainability model.
Tools
My Role & Responsibilities
I was responsible for research on hatchback history, rally legacy, Renault’s current lineup, form ideation, CMF concept boards, frozen form development, and CAD renders. My focus was on defining aesthetic direction through proportion studies, keyline continuity, and circular material sourcing aligned with Renault’s future transition to EV/hybrid models.
Primary Stakeholders
Target Audience
Urban European | Indian youth | Compact EV adopters
02
Objective & Insights
Declining trust in Renault’s safety after low NCAP ratings needs to be reversed with a modern EV
Indian market craves compact, affordable, and stylish cars with emotional connection
Future models must embrace circularity with recycled materials and low-emission mobility
Problem Hypothesis
Despite its legacy, Renault’s hatchbacks are losing appeal in a competitive market. A new design must fuse performance, sustainability, and brand identity to reignite consumer interest and drive adoption across emerging EV segments.
03
Design Process
Iterative Model
30%
Research & Brand Immersion
- Studied Renault’s hatchback legacy, rally culture, and current EV landscape - Analyzed global and Indian market trends, user reviews, and brand evolution - Conducted SWOT analysis, competitor benchmarking, and consumer insights
25%
Ideation & Concept Definition
- Defined design direction through multi-brief exploration (Wisdom, Play, Love, Work) - Developed inspiration boards (Dart Frog, Sapphire, Ardour) and brand narrative - Finalized concept name “ZENIX” to honor Renault’s last diesel hot hatch
30%
Form Development
- Explored form through sketching, jellybean proportions, and hard point constraints - Conducted proportion studies (wheelbase, overhang, roofline) - Finalized “frozen form” with bold front profile and Renault signature styling
15%
Visualization & CMF Application
- Applied sustainable CMF strategy (recycled textiles, PET, automotive waste) - Created high-fidelity 2D/3D renders in Rhino + Keyshot - Designed final poster and brand reveal consistent with Renault’s visual identity
Design Journey
This project was a bold attempt to balance Renault’s hot hatch legacy with future sustainability goals. The concept evolved from rally inspiration to an urban EV narrative, combining powerful aesthetics with eco-friendly interiors. The design journey demanded close team synergy, research depth, and ideation refinement to bring “ZENIX” to life, our vision of a final fossil-fuel hatchback transformed into an electric legend.
04
Impact & Limitation
Proposed a circular CMF strategy.
Validated user interest in sporty yet sustainable hatchbacks across two continents
Repositioned Renault’s emotional design identity into a future-proof electric platform
Limitation & Further Action
While conceptually rich, the project lacked real-world crash data and drivetrain simulations. Future steps include validating form feasibility through aerodynamic testing, collaborating with Renault’s CMF team for material trials, and integrating connected-car tech for a Gen-Z digital experience.
