NASA reveals astronaut shuttle, the Canoo Lifestyle EV
This lunchbox on wheels will soon be transporting NASA astronauts
There’s a new player in the electric vehicle market. And their first partnership is with none other than NASA. Enter the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle which is marketed as a fully electric, highly versatile utility vehicle aimed at city explorers, businesses, families, and adventurers. The company’s website says it’s a loft on wheels and will be launching in late 2022 starting at a price of USD 34,750 (or PHP 1.905 million)
NASA’s Project Artemis, which aims to return man to the moon, has contracted the new American EV manufacturer and based on their Instagram has given already three vehicles. NASA said that they wanted an emissions-free vehicle that should have room for four fully equipped astronauts, three additional crew, and a driver. Aside from that, they also asked for additional cargo space for equipment bags, cooling units, and a pad transfer bag.
As per their website, the Canoo has four variants. These are the Delivery, Base, Premium, and Adventure. Each has its own set of features for the intended task at hand. The interior is fully customizable. Standard cabin features are a driver and passenger seat upfront then the rear is where the magic happens.
The Premium and Adventure get a U-shaped seating arrangement whereas the Base gets the typical 2nd row. The Delivery has no seating in the back. Fabrics for the seating can also be customized when ordering. You also get 12 airbags throughout the cabin.
The dashboard is very functional too. You basically have one screen, a square steering wheel, and what seems to be a touch screen strip built into the dash. Its enclosed drive-by-wire unit is also housed in the dash and serves as a reminder that you are driving an EV. There is also a street window since there is no engine bay.
To say that the exterior is cute is a huge understatement. Like the Citroen Ami, the shape is unconventional and looks like a lunchbox on wheels. It has signature 6-piece cross LED headlights and taillights, suicide doors, 18-20 inch wheels, and a mostly glass top to give you more visibility when driving. Other accessories that can be added are a light bar on top and a roof rack.
The EV comes with an 80 kWh battery and has an estimated range between 322 to 402 km. The most powerful version has 300 PS and 450 Nm of torque. More details will follow as you can already pre-order via their website.
Canoo’s partnership with NASA has picked up interest in the brand. The quirky-looking multi-purpose electric vehicle has also two more models coming up which are the MPDV and Truck. Would you like to see these on Philippine roads? We do!
