There were some very interesting automotive revelations at CES 2022. Examples to be highlighted are the BMW iX M60, Chrysler Airflow, Chevy Silverado EV and the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX. Among all the famous automakers, there was a very fascinating MIT startup called Indigo Tech. With the support of Audi and Porsche executives, Indigo presented two electric van concepts – Flow and Flow Plus.
These are pretty cool looking vans that focus on the ride-sharing and delivery sector. The highlight here, however, was the central driving position. Yup! You don’t have to imagine being in a Speedtail McLaren F1 to experience this. You can own one (if it becomes a reality) and it would be very, very cheap! It is an EV and comes with so-called “robot wheels”.
Indigo Flow and Flow Plus want to make ridesharing and delivery vans super cool.
These electric vehicles are aimed at the commercial market
Via: Indigotech.com
The world is rapidly moving towards electromobility. But while the passenger car sector is already crammed with impressive electric vehicles, the commercial side remains heavily neglected. There are some highlights like the collaboration between Rivian and Amazon and the new Ford Pro platform which is entirely dedicated to the commercial and government sectors.
And now Indigo Tech is planning to revolutionize this sector with the Flow and Flow Plus vans. It’s too early to say whether or not these two will become a threat. But with the clever packaging and the fresh technology, we see it as a tough nut to crack.
The central driver’s seat is the highlight here
Via: Indigotech.com
The central driving layout is usually synonymous with super sports cars for more confidence and control. But even the modest Indigo offers have a central cockpit. And it has the coolest dashboard layout we’ve seen yet. It will even put Mercs, Beamer and Audis to shame!
The instrument cluster is spread across the dashboard and has displays adjacent to it. A sporty-looking steering wheel is equipped with various controls for the driver. There is ample storage space on both sides of the driver’s seat.
Looks cool with the low-settlement design language
Via: Indigotech.com
Passenger and delivery vans are mostly designed for practicality and functionality, which does not go well with the visual appeal. But Indigo’s EVs look downright stunning. The deep design with wide wheel arches and a tapered profile give the package sportiness. The front bezel is dull, but the LED lighting gives it a sharp appeal.
The Flow has a huge sliding door and a panoramic glass roof. But since Flow Plus is a delivery truck, it loses that coolness. Since this is an electric vehicle, the wheels are pushed to the extreme ends, which helps to maximize the interior space.
Packs a 40 kWh battery and has active suspension
Via: Indigotech.com
Powertrain details are rare, but Indigo has claimed that both of these cool vans come with a 40kWh battery that can travel over 250 miles on a single charge. The engine layout is unique here. The vans are equipped with “robot wheels” which Indigo calls.
These wheels integrate drive and suspension tasks in one package. This eliminates the need for a motor and transmission setup, which is generally located on the axis in an EV. This further results in a much lower floor height, which results in more cargo space.
Via: Indigotech.com
Each of these robot wheels provide 30 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The setup provides independent control over each wheel and can even be used to perform torque vectoring. The active suspension is geared towards driving comfort and easy handling.
Sources: Indigotech.com, Carscoops.com
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About the author
Tijo Tenson
(449 published articles)
Tijo is an engineer, mechanic, gamer and avid content creator. He’s a fat eater who loves tinkering with cars every now and then when he’s not busy writing down his passion for them. He has always had a soft spot for JDM and likes to delve deep into everything to do with bikes and engines.
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