Your packages have never traveled in such comfort and style!
The 2015 IVECO Vision Concept finally brings a cool sci-fi, Hollywood-ready look to a full-size van. Its surfacing and proportions take a bold look into the future of IVECO van designs — pairing brutal and aggressive lighting and nose to friendly, flowing forms to van roof-lines that are usually far boxier.
But before we look at the cool design and tech of the IVECO Vision, there is one thing to note first thing: the IVECO Vision is absolutely gigantic.
From some angles, the concept appears to be only slightly larger than the Ford Transit Connect, and about the same size as the Transit High-Roof.
But in reality, it is much, much taller and wider than both those vans. The IVECO vision has a gigantic shadow — closer to the size of a Unimog than a standard panel van.
That boxer nose is ultra short in its front overhang, but extra tall in hood height. The windshield wipers are right at eye level for a standing adult.
This mean hood profile has a fully shrouded middle grille, which is a key main distinction between the standard IVECO Daily vans on sale today. Broadly speaking, the IVECO Daily has similar design details to this futuristic concept up front.
But follow the windshield up and the rounded canopy is almost 100-percent glass for max visibility. Around the sides of the grille, the shape of the van makes its versatile height an asset. This high-roof is not an add-one to an existing design. Rather, the rising beltline shows its broad painted side proudly. The chunky and macho feel to the IVECO Vision makes it very cool and stylish.
Inside, a fully-automated cargo loading system and multiple control tablets let the van get down to business.
The powertrain is a plug-in electric hybrid that can switch to 100-percent EV power for non-emissions urban areas, or congestion-control zones like central London.
2015 IVECO Vision
Iveco VISION
A technology concept for future mobility
Iveco continues to place the search for cutting-edge new technological solutions and the interpretation and anticipation of future scenarios at the core of its business strategy. Iveco Vision, a concept centred on low environmental impact mobility, is embodied in a commercial vehicle featuring a range of innovative solutions. The concept emerged in the wake of Iveco’s Dual Energy technology, the chassis unveiled at the 2012 edition of the Hanover trade show, bringing together potential technologies for use in the light commercial vehicle of the future.
The innovation which characterises Iveco Vision starts with the Dual Energy system, a technology which allows for the use of two different types of traction – one is exclusively electric, ensuring zero local emissions and low noise levels, and the other is hybrid (thermoelectric) and suitable for longer journeys and for extra-urban missions, reducing consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 25%.
In this architecture, a specific transfer unit couples the electric motor with the transmission shafts enabling to have an hybrid that is also an adaptive traction system with real-time energy management. Based on mission-related elements, the vehicle self-adapts to the most suitable traction: the hybrid mode improves commercial speed and autonomy range on intercity routes; while the electric mode allows unrestricted, no-emission mobility in metropolitan areas.
As a natural evolution of the “Dual Energy” project, Iveco has redesigned the frame, body, interior and user interface: the result is Iveco Vision, a commercial vehicle concept ideal for door-to-door delivery missions.
The project focused on the development of three new areas to be trialled: a new adaptive Human/Machine Interface; a design characterised by total visibility and a new fully automatic system for load management. With regard to the first of these areas, the vehicle is equipped with a high-integration tablet, which communicates with the on-board electronics.
Ample glazed surfaces and the “see-through” front pillars guarantee unrestricted outside visibility from the cabin – while rear camera sight is displayed on a panoramic screen on top of the windshield.
Finally, with regard to the specific mission, Iveco Vision is equipped with a load management system based on a series of sensors which identify the goods and then indicate the correct positioning of these within the vehicle interior, triggering containment devices which prevent the movement of larger packages. Beside protecting valuable goods from damage, improved space management also makes loading and unloading faster – with an obvious efficiency gain.
In summary, Iveco Vision is a laboratory for the study and development of new technological solutions and future modes of transport, which represent the natural evolution of Iveco’s light commercial vehicle range. To achieve this goal, Iveco continues to expand and improve the company’s open and collaborative innovation model, which sees the brand working alongside important partners for the sharing of ideas, expertise and professionalism.
In addition to the partners who worked with Iveco on the construction of the Dual Energy chassis (Bosch, Dainese, Brembo, Streparava, Arcelor Mittal, CRF, Denso, FPT, Sole, Trucklite, Xperion, ZF), Comftech, Essence and ST Microelectronics have also contributed.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.