The 94I project began in November 1992 with designer Malcolm Oastler.[1] The car was intended to be "simple but soundly engineered, easy to tune and maintain, and with a highly developed aerodynamic package."[5] An unused design for the Galmer G93 had been sold to Reynard and used as a basis for the 94I.[6] Bruce Ashmore, a former designer at Lola Cars, arrived late in the design process as the technical director, and provided input based on his experience with Indy cars.[7]