Aptera's 300 MPG car available for pre-order
By Donald Melanson 
posted Oct 10th 2007 3:34PM
posted Oct 10th 2007 3:34PM
Aptera certainly managed to attract a fair bit of attention for itself earlier this year, when its concept car turned as many heads for its space age looks as it did for its promised 200 MPG range. Now the company looks to be taking the next step on the long road to availability, with it accepting pre-orders for the car, which apparently now boasts a range of 300 MPG in typical driving conditions. What's more, the company says its also readying an all-electric version of the vehicle in addition to the plug-in hybrid model, with promising to last for around 120 miles before needing a recharge. Both models will also apparently come packed with features, include driver and passenger side airbags, interior and exterior LED lighting, a "solar assisted" climate control system, and an "advanced drive computer" that includes GPS, a rear-view camera, and a complete vehicle diagnostic system. All that apparently comes at a bit of a premium over the initially-estimated $20,000 price, however, with the electric and plug-in hybrid models now set to run $26,900 and $29,900, respectively. If that's still in your ballpark, you can reserve yours now for a mere $500, with the first vehicles promised to be in drivers hands in 12 months or so.
[Via Digg]
[Via Digg]
For all the doom-sayers, if you don't like the car don't buy one. It is still a free country. Information on the website says the car is built to twice the standards of passanger cars. I presently drive a car using roll-cage technology. When you see a racecar crash at 200 mph and the driver walks away, thank the roll-cage.
Even though the electric model fits nearly all my needs I would choose the model with the on-board generator because I would drive it all over the countryside and show it off. Since I would not be using fuel until I exceed 50 miles, I would never need gas for my in-town driving which currently is costing me $240 a month. When we drive from LA to SFO it would take about a gallon of gas or two gallons if I punch it up to 80 mph. I could drive to Portland on about five gallons. What's not to like? My present car is a 2-seater and Aptera gives me a TON more storage.
Aptera may not be for everyone but it is exactly right for me. I can hardly wait.
This car is simply awesome. There is a ton of information on it at:
http://ApteraForum.com
99% of those who would consider buying this car (like myself), do so because they like the gas mileage and/or want to reduce their own consumption of foreign oil to ZERO.
For this reason- I will not buy this car until the engine runs on alcohol or some form of vegatable oil !!! A few less mpg for this fuel change doesn't bother me at all .
Put an extra wheel in back and 2 airbags- it qualifies as a car. We're not talking about a lot of extra weight. How much extra would this cost?
mike korman misterfact@yahoo.com
To all of you who think it's ugly, oh well. The car was designed to be completely aerodynamic, with the lowest drag co-efficient of any production automobile ever. That's one of the ways it gets such great fuel economy. Of course it doesn't look like a BMW sedan or a Hummer. It's made for a different time and mindset. Incredible piece of design.
For those complaining about how unsafe it would be - read the website's FAQ.
"How safe is the Aptera? What about the body strength?
With safety being our top priority, we have raised our standard beyond the requirements of a typical passenger car. Nothing is normal or standard for the Aptera so why should we stick to "normal" safety standards? For example, the Typ-1 roof is designed to EXCEED rollover strength requirements spelled out in FMVSS(Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) 216 for passenger cars. The doors also far EXCEED mandated strength requirements for passenger cars as does our 45" frontal impact deflection and crumple zone. We decided not just to meet many of the requirements for passenger cars, but we chose to exceed them. Industry safety standards are very different for passenger cars and motorcycles; we are choosing to go well beyond the industry safety standard for passenger cars so Aptera drivers can feel safe in any driving situation. The Aptera's composite safety cage is similar to Formula-1 cars. Our "Eyes Forward" vision system allows for 180 degree rear sight. There is a display panel in the driver's field of view which enhances situational awareness allowing you to keep your eyes on the road. The over-sized LED turn indicators located on the rear and side of the vehicle are easy for other drivers to see, adding greatly to the night and day visibility of the Aptera. Unlike many 3-wheel vehicle designs that were abandoned in the 80's due to their instability the Aptera has two wheels in the front and a single rear wheel eliminating any tendency to roll-over. The Aptera also features traction control, a low center of gravity and a wide track width which makes for a very stable platform that increases cornering stability without sacrificing performance. "
For those complaining about the license plate:
"The rear center is designed for a back license plate. Since the Aptera is classified as an enclosed motorcycle a front plate is not required."
I think most of you should take the time to read the info provided on the website. It clearly outlines the measures they took in safety (above the required standards in many areas) and if you looked at the pictures or video you would see the license plate area (located at the back just like any motor bike). The real issue here is attitude. Most of you are driving if not all of you (yes this is a generalization) are driving a gas guzzler with a monority using actual hybrids. We use Vespa motor scooters (70 mpg) here in Miami as part of a Vespa-Sharing service (website currently under construction for updates and upgrades). As soon as the Aptera Type 1 and Type II H's are available outside of CA we will be adding 4-6 to our fleet of member vehicles. If this was Chevy, Nissan, or Ford the jokes would be more about "when it would hit the roads" vs attacking the company. What will it take before you consider changing your consumption habits $5.00 for unleaded or better yet $10 a gallon! Oil hit $126 per barrel last week and is expected to hit $150 before the end of the year. Even at $5 a gallon and a 6 gallon tank the Aptera would still only cost me $30 to fill up and based on my driving habits (less than 30-miles R/T) I would only need to fill up every 6,000 miles or every 6 months. Who would not want to spend $60-$70 on gas for the YEAR! Wake up people. Whether it's APtera or another manufacturer 100-mpg is no longer the benchmark. Most people who ride a motorcycle would already argue they do a great job of avoiding the 16 yr old driving mommies gas guzzling SUV with a simple swerve and a middle finger! Go Aptera! I have one on order and when they get certified for sale and distribution for the rest of the country you will see them all over Miami and the rest of the country within months!
I think it looks awesome! Can't wait for it to make it to the rest of the country.
I would like to order a Hybrid as soon as possible
Best Regards,
Frank J. Dutra
frank.dutra@zimmer.com
(760) 918-3345
Can I get this in Very Berry Blue? Maybe then it will look less like the Sperm-mobiles from family guy...
The reason it's so ugly is because it's more aerodynamic to reduce the wind that will drag it and lose fuel efficiency.
Yeah what about the snow, its snows here and im sure this car will suck in the snow, hmmm 3 wheel drive lol.
I have a suggestion for all of the critics and whiners. Walk.
Since this is making such a stir (but seemingly only possible in California) I wonder how to put my name on the list for adaptation in other states (like Idaho) where there are people interested in transport without the crap involved.
I love the looks, sorry that most of you guys love the 1972 charger look.
Can't way to get mine.
This vehicle is beautiful, not ugly! Most folks don't realize the amount of air drag at 60 mph; the Aptera has one of the lowest drag coefficients this side of a P-51 fuel tank and that saves energy and provides more speed for less effort. My reservation is that I don't like to buy the very first model of anything, I like to see some shakeout first. I particularly like the model with the on-board gas engine to recharge the batteries. Build 100,000 of these and ten more nuclear power plants and we can get along on much less petroleum.
How would you pay a toll if you can't open a window? How would provide data to a police office? Open a door?
Where do i put my stuff, should i ever drive a distance that i cant already save money on by walking or riding a bike.
Gosh Kevjohn, if your analysis is based on a self examination I suggest you go to a doctor ASAP. Your eyesight and scientific knowledge is in bad shape. What America doesn't need is criticism about design but rather someone who can produce a car that gets good gas milage. I don't see any of the names of those who have offered comments on this product (good or bad as it may be) as doing much to help the situation.
What if someone rear-ends that thing? It looks like they'll get impaled
Deliberate security feature?
Attach some wings and it will look like a Beechcraft (Airplane).
check the video for safety features
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4237853.html
well, with the suv's going off the road impaled may be too strong a word - GM is closing how many plants?
Does it come with clothes with the hovering rings, a la Los Jetsons?
How is MPG a "range?" Isn't it "fuel economy." "With estimated fuel economy up to 300 MPG." Yeah, that's right.
That's the exact same thing I was thinking. MPG isn't a range. Jeez. Maybe Engadget should leave the automotive news reporting to the folks over at Autoblog eh? :-)
...but it will do "the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs.” :)
@foxbat
I don't think Engadget can ret-con a blackhole into the middle of an Interstate, whereas Star Wars could. They fail.
ill wait for when its less ugly.
That thing is FUGLY! Why does a nice design have to be so expensive (TESLA 100K)?? For the nearly 30K that they are asking they can definitely have a better design instead of looking like an ugly toy!
Saying it gets 300mpg is not accurate. It needs the help of batteries to go anywhere.
It's more like 1 gallon of gas plus fully charged batteries will let you go 300 miles. Still pretty impressive but not 300mpg.
And oh yeah, this looks like a sperm.
LMFAO... it does. All you need is a garage that resembles a vagina (or an egg, actually).
pshh my whole house looks like a vagina....
oh wait, whats a vagina?
How is it that they can produce it for so cheap? Considering the Chevy Volt is supposed to retail around $30k when it comes out in 2-3 years time, I have my doubts about the validity of the price, or the quality of the kit you're getting for that money.
Does anyone know if they are making a right-hand drive model?
THE Chevy VOlt is built by overpaid UAW employees working for a bloated company that has to pay overpaid CEOs and upper management. That's how.
Their website is absolutely awful. No quick way to get useful info, like, how will repairs be handled, where are they legal (US? UK?)
The whole flash-based thing sux. Maybe they saved money in website concept design.
Its actually just a prop for the new Jetsons film being filmed by Michael Bay as we speak.
I promise I will laugh at anyone I see driving one of these things. Who's in charge of the frickin design? Someone go smack them.
I love the idea though. Just don't make it look so pansy-ish. I'll wait for the manly model.
You're so manly with your manly name you manly man you.
i dont think this car will ever see the light of day!
any company that lists who their site designer was is clearly not a player, just a dreamer
So where would I take this thing in for repairs? My local Aptera dealer?
yes.
Their website certainly shows a desire for dealerships. However, my concern is that it's not classified as a car so it doesn't have to meet many safety requirements.
@Anthony
Not classified as a car? You mean like every SUV on the road today?
it seems like theres no where that you mount your license plate at....?
It will be a projected hologram floating at the back of the vehicle.
Hey look Steve Urkel got a new car.
To those calling it ugly, if you knew something about aerodynamic design you would understand that it is a beautiful shape.
Thank you for talking some sense.