New Delhi: Honda Cars India Ltd. has received certification from the Automotive Research Association of India and the International Centre for Automotive Technology for the use of Honda’s advanced wind tunnel facility in Tochigi, Japan, to support upcoming WLTP certification requirements for India-specific models.
The certification allows Honda Cars India to use the wind tunnel facility, together with chassis dynamometer facilities, for vehicle road-load determination under the AIS:175 regulatory standard.
AIS:175 mandates the adoption of the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure, or WLTP, in India from April 1, 2027.
The approval enables Honda to use its global research and development infrastructure for homologation and regulatory compliance work related to vehicles intended for the Indian market. In practical terms, the company can now carry out part of the required aerodynamic testing in Japan while preparing future models for Indian certification.
The ARAI certificate was presented by Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI, to Udit Kumar, Senior Vice-President and Director, Honda Cars India Ltd.
The ICAT certificate was handed over by Saurabh Dalela, Director, ICAT, to Kumar at a separate ceremony. Senior officials from the respective certification agencies were also present.
Wind tunnel testing plays an important role in determining the aerodynamic resistance faced by a moving vehicle. This information is used to establish road-load values, which influence official assessments of fuel consumption, energy use and exhaust emissions.
Unlike a road test, a wind tunnel does not have traffic jams, potholes or impatient motorists to complicate the calculations — an advantage engineers are unlikely to complain about.
WLTP was developed under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to provide more representative and standardised measurements of vehicle fuel consumption, energy consumption and emissions.
The testing procedure is already used in markets including Europe, Japan and South Korea. India’s planned transition to WLTP-based certification is expected to require more detailed and accurate evaluation of factors such as aerodynamics, vehicle resistance and real-world operating conditions.
Speaking on the announcement, Takashi Nakajima, President and CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd., said, “We are pleased to receive this certification from ARAI and ICAT for Honda’s Wind Tunnel Test Facility to be used for testing activities supporting the upcoming WLTP certification requirements. While it is an important milestone, it is also a reflection of Honda’s long-standing commitment to engineering excellence and proactive compliance with evolving regulations.”
The certification comes as automakers operating in India prepare their testing and development processes for the April 2027 regulatory shift. For Honda, the approval provides a route to integrate its Japanese engineering facilities more closely with India’s homologation framework.
As India moves towards globally aligned vehicle-testing standards, access to certified aerodynamic and laboratory infrastructure will become increasingly important. The transition may take place largely behind laboratory doors, but its results will eventually appear where consumers notice them most — on efficiency figures, emission ratings and the specifications of future cars.
