Dhananjay Anil Chile | dhananjay.wce@gmail.com

Redesign of Maruti 800 for 2020

Guide Vipul Vinzuda
Sponsor Maruti Suzuki India Limited
 
Keywords compact city commute;hatchback;nostalgia;clay model

The project involved designing the next generation of the Maruti 800. It was very important to understand the reasons why Maruti 800 was such a hit with buyers. The nostalgia people feel about this car is absolutely unparalleled and it was challenging to capture these attributes. Extensive field studies across different cities and demographics were carried out.

Research was done on the form language of the car and interpreting in the context of 2020. The form studies were done mainly considering the 1983 model as it was the most distinct and iconic model among all generations of the Maruti 800. The second phase involved understanding the design language and how it was understood by the customers. Surveys and questionnaires were used as tools to gather information on people’s perception about the car. Indirect questions were asked to gauge the opinion about form language.

User data and preferences were consolidated. Themes were identified using overall trends and keywords for further explorations and concepts. The first concept was more on the lines of the compact city commute, a role played by the Maruti 800 very successfully over the years. The second one tried to capture the “family car” feel of the Maruti 800 with its spa¬cious volume and large glasshouse. The final outcome was a sporty 3-door hatchback for the gen¬eration next, a tribute to the car which was very advanced and performance oriented for its time.

Learning gained was tremendous as one got introduced to the formal design process at the company. The transition from ideation to the clay model was extremely interesting. Skill improvement took place due to the constant mentoring and encouragement and introduction to newer techniques such as the tape draw.
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