Aptera 2e - October this year

[bigdadi]

From ROAD & TRACK...

I'm accelerating and cornering — hard — on three wheels, little wisps of tire smoke curling out of the slender front wheel pants as steering is cranked in and "throttle" applied. And no, I'm not in an early Volkswagen GTI that hikes up its inside rear tire. Rather, I've been given a drive in the Aptera 2e, a soon-to-be-produced electric vehicle whose shape is slipperier than a Teflon-coated salmon on glare ice, and whose composite construction offers both light weight and impressive structural integrity. Better yet, the 2e is scheduled to begin rolling off the Vista, California, assembly line this October for an as-yet-to-be-determined price between $25,000 and $40,000. Charge it overnight from your 110-volt home outlet, and it's claimed to have a range of 100 miles...in the carpool lane, if you wish.

Pie in the sky? Nope. The business model looks sound; nearly 4000 deposits have been placed (Robin Williams among the clientele), enthusiastic investors are locked in, and co-founders Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony have assembled a team that balances Detroit low-volume niche-production experience with California "anything is possible" attitude. Chief engineer Tom Reichenbach was formerly vehicle engineering manager for both Ford GT and Shelby GT500 programs; and CEO Paul Wilbur has a storied history at Ford, Chrysler and ASC. And Fambro, a biotech engineer and private pilot intrigued by his aircraft's composite construction, and Anthony, a composites specialist with a background in boat design and fluid dynamics, seemed predestined for this partnership.

But back to the Aptera itself. I'm in the pre-production prototype called Punch, so named for upholstery whose color matches that oft-spiked party drink. But the fabric's long gone, as Punch gets lots of track-testing duty and is tuned now with suspension settings and an a/c motor/controller that are nearing final production specs. With the rotary "shifter" clicked to D3, the most aggressive setting, it's responsive, easily modulated and reasonably quick: Reichenbach says 0–60 mph in under 10 seconds with a 90-mph top speed with its pack of lithium-phosphate-ion-"pixie dust" cells — that last part suggesting that their exact composition is a secret.



But flinging it around the streets near Aptera's headquarters, it seems quicker still, partly due to a go-kart-like agility that's carried off with a surprisingly civil ride. Adding to the feel is a view of the road rushing up at you (the base of the aircraft-evocative windshield plunges toward the pavement) and those wheel pants articulating with the inboard rocker-type front suspension, visible out of the dramatically forward-raked side windows. Steering and brakes are unassisted, but efforts are reasonable as the curb weight is only 1700 lb., about half the weight of a base Honda Accord.



Aptera 2eEarlier, I rode with Reichenbach in another near-production prototype whose interior and exterior detailing is nearing final spec. Entering gracefully through the quasi-gullwing doors takes a few tries, but the door openings are large and once seated, the cabin width seems to split the difference between a Lotus Elise and a Toyota Corolla. There's a large hooded digital speedometer and bar-graph battery state-of-charge indicator, along with a central infotainment screen that offers mind- boggling possibilities. Leg- and head room were surprisingly generous for even my 6- foot-3 frame. And safety is preeminent in the Aptera's design — the final version will have both frontal and side airbags. And if there was any doubt about the strength of the composite construction, it was quelled as eight Aptera employees stood on the roof of a development shell. And that was after the shell had gone through government roof -crush testing!



It seems as if the future is here today...or at least come this October.

[robrecht]

Finally, a flying car! Oh wait ...

[bigdadi]

Gullwing doors
The gullwing doors open upwards, not outwards. So no matter how tight your parking spot is, you'll never have trouble opening the door wide enough to get out.

Eco-Chic Seating
You haven't heard? Wasteful fabric is, like, so ‘totally’ out right now. Welcome the new kid on the block; it's Eco-Chic Seating featuring recycled material that is colored with natural dyes.

Smart Phone Connectivity
Time to put all those playlists to work. Simply plug 'n' play music through the audio system, and with the push of a button, switch over for that important incoming call.

Solar assisted climate control system
Be it scorching hot or absolutely freezing, you will approach your Aptera with confidence because you know that the solar cells on your roof are not there just for a fashion statement. They are there to keep your cabin at a welcoming temperature at all times.

Cavernous Cargo Compartment
With enough room for 15 bags of groceries, a couple of surfboards, or sets of golf bags, this cargo space is sure to meet your needs.

LED interior and exterior lighting for maximum energy efficiency

RFID(Radio Frequency ID) Key Fob

Select the Aptera model:
2e
Available in 2009, this all-electric model will give you over 100 miles per charge (300mpg). The 2e can be charged by a standard outlet (110v) in under 8 hours.
2h
Available in 2010, this plug-in electric hybrid will achieve an astounding 300 mpg. It can be charged by a standard outlet (110v) or filled up at your local gas station.

[bigdadi]

gullwing...

[bigdadi]

Cabin...

[bigdadi]

Receptacle...

[bigdadi]

This automobile is one of competitors in Progressive's Auto X-Price

[charly]

What Ocean did that thing came from?

[macphanatic]

How will those doors work in parking garages? I could see this as a problem for those that have to park in them.

[bigdadi]

Originally posted by macphanatic
How will those doors work in parking garages? I could see this as a problem for those that have to park in them.

I guess the height won't be taller than a person's height when gullwing in lifted up position.

[Nathan_P]

Originally posted by robrecht
Finally, a flying car! Oh wait ...

Roads? Where we're going, we don't NEED roads!

[N_Jay]

Nice. Can I get it in Turbo Diesel instead of electric?

[robrecht]

Originally posted by N_Jay
Nice. Can I get it in Turbo Diesel instead of electric?

The price of Diesel is finally coming down--it's now below that of premium gas. But electricity is still much cheaper, isn't it?

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by robrecht
The price of Diesel is finally coming down--it's now below that of premium gas. But electricity is still much cheaper, isn't it?

Yes, but given the cost and efficiency of today's battery systems, I am still not am electric car guy.

There is a chance that some nanotechnology will get capacitors up to battery like volumetric efficiency, and that would change the model by allowing truly efficient regenerative braking.

[robrecht]

Originally posted by N_Jay


Yes, but given the cost and efficiency of today's battery systems, I am still not am electric car guy.

There is a chance that some nanotechnology will get capacitors up to battery like volumetric efficiency, and that would change the model by allowing truly efficient regenerative braking.

So, you agree that even with the relative inefficiency of today's battery systems, electric vehicles are still cheaper than Diesel? But they need to be even more efficient for you to embrace the technology? If that's the case, what's the ultimate criteria you're using?