Google.org invests $2.75M in Aptera Motors

Google.org, the search kingpin's philanthropic wing, has just added another notch to its eco-friendly belt with a recent (and sizable) investment in Aptera Motors -- makers of that absurdly futuristic gas-sipper we've been following. Along with ActaCell (an electric car battery maker), Aptera received a $2.75 million infusion via Google.org's RechargeIT investment program. Hopefully, some of the cash will be put to use bringing Aptera's Typ-1 vehicle to market, where its $30,000 estimated price tag and outrageous 230+ MPG fuel economy will be a welcome relief from rising fuel costs and concerns... and our lack of a fresh ride.

[Via SMASHgods; Thanks, Jason]

[HOOPER @ Jul 24th 2008 11:12AM]

Cool, the future is getting here even sooner.

[diasvfx @ Jul 24th 2008 3:46PM]

The future is kinda fugly.

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Jul 24th 2008 11:31AM]

I'd say the future is still approaching at the same rate.

[tekdroid @ Jul 24th 2008 11:36AM]

I'd say the future doesn't require number plates.

[dennis @ Jul 24th 2008 11:43AM]

Where we're going, we don't need roads.

[darkstar @ Jul 24th 2008 11:47AM]

i agree it looks ugly!
if they cant make it sexy, please please dont make it ugly.

[retro77 @ Jul 24th 2008 11:51AM]

Nice Back to the Future reference....

[alexmueller @ Jul 24th 2008 12:15PM]

I don't think it looks that ugly, it looks futuristic and a little like eve from Wall-e.

[Rjay @ Jul 24th 2008 12:23PM]

"Baby girl im tellin you, I got spinnin rims underneath these wheel covers, dont trip..."

[riggs @ Jul 24th 2008 1:30PM]

the power...is yours!

[HOOPER @ Jul 24th 2008 1:45PM]

Low ranked? I just meant the car looked like it's from the future.

[Reader @ Jul 24th 2008 3:37PM]

HOOPER, you must have missed the anti-idiom regulation passed here on Engadget a bit back.

[neofolklore @ Jul 25th 2008 8:58AM]

AHAHAHAHA RIGGS

[E71 @ Jul 24th 2008 11:12AM]

I guess that takes the term 'concept car' to a whole new level.

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Jul 24th 2008 11:32AM]

That car design makes me want to play Stunt Race FX for SNES

[j_g_puff @ Jul 24th 2008 11:59AM]

That car design makes me wonder how the hell they're going to get Euro NCAP certification. The prongy bit at the back would be perfect for spearing pedestrians whilst reversing...or spearing the face of idiots who drive right up your bumper.

[Mike @ Jul 24th 2008 12:02PM]

easy mr puff, they could just make it a blinking light thats so friggin bright that it blinds the people

oh wait that wouldn't help either lol

[OneLove @ Jul 24th 2008 12:57PM]

quote: "Stunt Race FX...the graphics utilizing the super FX chip are outsatnding!" lol.

[OGHowie @ Jul 24th 2008 1:19PM]

Are my eyes wrong or does this thing looks pretty wide? How will you park it?

[Fenway Beer Man @ Jul 24th 2008 1:31PM]

@ OGHowie

VERY CAREFULLY.

[KINGMEEEEEE!!! @ Jul 24th 2008 1:51PM]

All 3 wheeled vehicles in the US are classified as motorcycles.

YOU ONLY NEED A REAR LICENSE PLATE FOR MOTORCYCLES.

YOU ONLY NEED A REAR LICENSE PLATE FOR MOTORCYCLES.

YOU ONLY NEED A REAR LICENSE PLATE FOR MOTORCYCLES.

That pic above does not really give a good view of the rear, Here is a rear view pic:
http://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/apterabackwingslights.jpg

and an interior view pic
http://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/apterainterior.jpg

Also the aptera comes with front airbags and has been front-end crash tested. If you're in Cali go to the aptera website and reserve one! They go on sale around November this year!!

[Dan @ Jul 24th 2008 3:19PM]

@j_g_puff -

For now, only on sale in California. So, perhaps they aren't worried about it.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 24th 2008 11:14AM]

Why does the car look like that? Have they learned NOTHING from Tesla?

[LiqwidZero @ Jul 24th 2008 11:15AM]

No, because Aptera Motors' car is chock full of awesome! Breath it all in! The future is nigh!

[Phil Perman @ Jul 24th 2008 11:20AM]

Its shaped like that to give it the smallest possible coefficient of drag. Smaller COD means less wind resistance giving you better fuel economy (hence it scoring over 230mpg)

Shape does have its downfalls though, gives next to no aerodynamic downforce so it will be next to impossible to build a performance car shaped like that

[Mike10010100 @ Jul 24th 2008 11:32AM]

Seriously, get over yourself. Function over form. I don't care if it's shaped like some sort of phallic symbol, I care that it gets 230+ mpg.

And I kinda think that it looks a whole lot like the Jetsons. Kinda ironic that the "future" gadgets from the 60's and 70's would look so close to the final product.

[kccboy2004 @ Jul 24th 2008 11:37AM]

actually the future is relative. if you rush towards the future, then the future rushes towards you.

[Michael Chastain @ Jul 24th 2008 12:04PM]

mike10010100: "I care that it gets 230+ mpg."

Actually it doesn't. A gallon of gas will "only" get it 130 miles. They get the higher figure by factoring in a fully charged battery--by their calculations the vehicle would get nearly infinite gas mileage on a two mile trip. While this might be technically true as it would use little to no gas, obviously this is deceptive because it completely ignores the energy and expense used to charge the battery.

It's still an extremely efficient vehicle. I'm not sure why they feel the need to exaggerate their claims.

[thatrotierkid @ Jul 24th 2008 1:01PM]

are you saying the Tesla Roadster is ugly? blaspheme!

[NHAnimator @ Jul 24th 2008 1:32PM]

"I don't care if it's shaped like some sort of phallic symbol..."

Okay, well, that's where I kinda draw a line.

[BigD145 @ Jul 24th 2008 1:53PM]

@Michael
The energy and expense to charge the battery is negligible. Electricity here on the west coast is much cleaner than on the east coast and middle america.

[Steve @ Jul 24th 2008 2:31PM]

Interestingly enough, the front end has also been designed to force energy(and the twisted metal) under the vehicle in a head-on collision. "The seats and flooring are made from recycled materials and organic dyes, and no heavy metals or plasticizers are used in the dashboard or door panels."

http://stanford.wellsphere.com/healing---recovery-article/aptera-typ-1---300-mpg?/23495

Now if only I could afford one.

[johnzilla @ Jul 24th 2008 3:36PM]

"I don't care if it's shaped like some sort of phallic symbol,"

Hey guys, check it out! I just bought a new 2011 Aptera Dick!

Admit it, you care.

[Michael Chastain @ Jul 24th 2008 5:45PM]

"Hey guys, check it out! I just bought a new 2011 Aptera Dick! Admit it, you care."

I do, but only because the shrinkage in cold weather would be a bummer.

[Jonathon @ Jul 28th 2008 12:23PM]

"I don't care if it's shaped like some sort of phallic symbol"

I've heard this car gets good gas mileage...

http://clipswtf.com/ssimages/1613.JPG

[ngamer007 @ Jul 24th 2008 11:15AM]

Too bad it's only in California. Of course, I have to wonder how well these would perform in the northeast during the winter.

[hiimcliff @ Jul 24th 2008 11:22AM]

ditto. i was bummed when i emailed them and they said they wouldnt even ship it if i offered because they have no way of servicing in the east. this vehicle is so kick arse its not even funny. id gladly trade in my gas guzzling ml for that.

[Craig @ Jul 24th 2008 11:42AM]

I think if you replaced the wheels with sleds and the motor with some Huskies, you'd have a very enjoyable commute. Until the dogs started gnawing on each other.

[David Russell @ Jul 24th 2008 11:17AM]

I'm reminded of the countless times people said "Don't buy into the hype about this 'Google'. They're just a search engine". Then they start working on cell phones. Then THIS odd-looking fellow.

[anonymousaversa @ Jul 24th 2008 11:31AM]

Just to be clear, it's a Google.org donation, probably to further their eco-friendly image and help stimulate public interest in this type of innovation.They also sponsor a competition to see who can build a rocket to the moon and transmit a gig of data back, etc...

No one at the Googleplex is "working on this car."

[David @ Jul 24th 2008 11:16AM]

Google = Buy n Large

[Craig @ Jul 24th 2008 12:24PM]

So true, so true...except that it's completely not.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 24th 2008 12:40PM]

Walmart is more like Buy N Large

[Asher69 @ Jul 24th 2008 1:08PM]

Funny... I thought Sam's was BuyNLarge... *shrug*

[George @ Jul 24th 2008 4:09PM]

Walmart == Sam's Club

[SlyDogJeff @ Jul 24th 2008 11:18AM]

WHERE THE HELL should we put our license plate?
New York State Law says you have to have a plate mounted on the FRONT AND REAR of the vehicle.

[ngamer007 @ Jul 24th 2008 11:41AM]

Not for motorcycles. This car gets lumped into the motorcycle category.

[Harley @ Jul 24th 2008 11:22AM]

it's classified as a motorcycle type vehicle, so no need for a front plate i believe. i admit, it's ugly as fugg, but hey for 230mpg...

[EricR @ Jul 24th 2008 11:22AM]

There goes the COD...

[ryan @ Jul 24th 2008 11:26AM]

Also its only being released in california so I dont think their worrying about new york...