Up Close with a Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle
Also known as GOEV, Canoo is jumping into the mix with its own unique fleet of EVs.
It seems that, nowadays, everyone and their mother is starting an EV brand. It started with the widespread success of the Tesla Roadster that catalyzed the desire of companies to try to replicate and disrupt a once impenetrable automotive manufacturing market.
Granted, traditional automakers have also attempted to piggyback on the demand for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), with Chevrolet producing the Volt, Nissan making their Leaf, and BMW introducing the i3. The market has since seen the introduction of a number of new players in the BEV and automotive world.
Lucid, a California-based company founded by ex-Tesla Engineer Peter Rawlinson, decided to build a more luxurious, range-capable BEV starting with the Air sedan. Meanwhile Rivian, a Michigan-based company founded by RJ Scaringe, has kept its focus on producing vehicles that is meant for those with more active, outdoor lifestyles, namely the R1T pickup truck and the R1S SUV.
Similar to these two brands, Canoo, another California-based company, is going the route of producing a unique product, yet in a familiar form factor—the MPV.
One of several variants of their MPV, the Canoo Delivery Vehicle is focused on providing a spacious last-mile delivery vehicle.
What just a few years ago would be referred to as a van, or perhaps even a minivan, now carries the moniker of being a “multi-purpose vehicle“ or “multi-passenger vehicle,” more simply known as an MPV. Kia had a large role in popularizing the term this year as it didn’t want people to consider the new 2022 Carnival as a minivan (despite it being exactly that, but shh.)
Canoo set out to deliver a cost-effective fleet of vehicles, built on one shared platform, with maximum modularity, and thus this MPV was born. Rather, it’s in the process of being born. So I suppose Canoo is in labor?
The company is thus far producing four variations of this “loft on wheels”: Base, Delivery, Premium, Adventure.
Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle Trims
All four variations share the same powertrain and body, with the exception of the Delivery vehicle dropping some windows from the B-pillar to the tail. Additionally, range estimates vary from 250miles per full charge for the Delivery line to 350miles per full charge for the Premium line.
Where they are making their mark in the industry is with their proprietary drivetrain. Fitted into what has been dubbed a skateboard chassis, it is the slimmest rolling, functional chassis with an integrated battery unit, Electronic Control Modules (ECM), and Battery Management Systems (BMS). Unlike most drivetrains, it forgoes traditional mechanical components to ensure maximum versatility across the product line.
Most notable of these “missing” mechanical components is the steering column. Instead, Canoo will be employing a steer-by-wire system that keeps in line the ethos of maximum versatility. It will allow the steering wheel placement anywhere within the interior cabin, accommodating right- and left-hand drives without significant engineering or design difference. Heck, it can even be placed further back or further forward.
Canoo's steer-by-wire platform on its fully integrated skateboard chassis architecture.
Seeing it in person
It's one thing to see a car, or even just a concept sketch, online or through imagery, but it's a completely different thing to see it in person. Luckily, I had the opportunity to see the Canoo Lifestyle vehicle up close at The Bridge V's Cars and Coffee meet in the Hamptons.
A look at the steering mechanism.
I'll tell you this much, it has a presence, despite it's small footprint. Measuring in at 4421mm (or 174in) in length, it is no longer than a Volvo XC40, yet its interior remains as spacious as a proper full size SUV or minivan. A vehicle that, for all intents and purposes, qualifies as a compact SUV has an interior volume that earns it the MPV title.
A more detailed look at the interior, from outside in. You can hear the PR reps telling some folks about it.
Again, it's no larger than your standard compact SUV, but because of its pod-like design, its presence is tangible. It's almost as if you're looking at a mini bus.
Front end 3/4 view of the Canoo.
What you'll notice about the front end is an additional panel of glass where a front grille would normally be. Since there's no engine and no need for a cooling intake, the engineers were able to rethink what purpose that space can serve. The front end of a car generally being a blind spot, it just made sense to give the driver an additional line of sight.
The rear end and left side with its coach (or "suicide") doors open.
It's slightly interesting to see Canoo opting for a liftgate in the rear instead of side-by-side rear doors, but not surprising considering power liftgates are almost standard practice with SUVs and MPVs.
Other Offerings and Future Plans
The Lifestyle Vehicle seems to be only one of the several vehicles Canoo is planning on producing. Using the same skateboard platform across offerings, they aim to reduce development costs, while offering other practical solutions like a Pickup Truck and a commercial Multi-Purpose Delivery Vehicle. Plans to license and sell the skateboard as a platform for other EV makers are also under consideration.
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