The Nomad Truck
Taking inspiration from young adults (my friends in Iowa) in the Midwest and their lifestyle of do-it yourself, I looked to create a vehicle that offers the function of a flatbed truck for hauling while also giving them modern passenger comforts. The large truck market pricing shuts out the young demographic, while the SUV is geared towards the family market. Enter the Nomad. A smaller, more efficient utility vehicle that offers a stylish ride while also letting get stuff done.
Solo Project
Prof. Dave Lynn
Georgia Institute of Technology
Studio Project
Initial Concept Development
Concept development took inspiration from the automotive styling in practice during the golden age of American automotive manufacturing and modern hybrid and electric vehicles. Various automotive brand styling and types of utility vehicles where researched and explored before identifying the niche in the new market for American hybrid pickup trucks.
Market and Branding
The American truck market is saturated oversized flatbed trucks. These expensive large vehicles yield greater profit margins but price-out new car owners. With the added benefit of reducing pedestrian fatalities, many Americans are seeking out smaller vehicles that still maintain the utility and usability of modern pickups.
Indian Motorcycle is the oldest American motorcycle manufacturer. Over one hundred years has curated the iconic traditional style and brand with their iconic teardrop fuel tank and S-curved spine & saddle. The Scout and Chief motorcycles continue to be their most popular models. Indian still continues to use their traditional body shape and accents while modernizing components.
Celebration of authenticity through nostalgia and romanticizing the past has captivated many young Americans to adopt the unique Americana aesthetic. Americana offers people avenues of unique expression with a feeling of connection to a broader culture that is imbued with cross-cultural diversity and a hopeful spirit. Americana opens the doors for all to share a diverse heritage and traditions, reinventing itself to new eras of young Americans.
Body Styling
The goal of this concept development for the Nomad truck is to meet the demands for a hybrid vehicle platform for new car owners and the growing American truck market. To embody the classic American car body style, the branding of Indian Motorcycles was used to help develop the body shape and user identity. The iconic teardrop fuel tank and S-curve along the body of the Indian Scout motorcycle was imbued in the body, panel lines, and curves of the truck.
Final Concept
The Nomad truck is optimized for passenger space with a five-foot bed. The hybrid drive chain uses a 2.5-liter Duratek Atkinson cycle inline-four gasoline engine paired with four in-hub electric motors produces a combined 91 hp (194 PS; 142 kW) at 5600 rpm. The truck interior reflects the classic styling of the Indian Motorcycle leather upholstery and tactile user interface mixed with digital displays.
