Google.org invests $2.75M in Aptera Motors
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Jul 24th 2008 11:04AM
posted Jul 24th 2008 11:04AM
[Via SMASHgods; Thanks, Jason]
posted Jul 24th 2008 11:04AM
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Cool, the future is getting here even sooner.
The future is kinda fugly.
I'd say the future is still approaching at the same rate.
I'd say the future doesn't require number plates.
Where we're going, we don't need roads.
i agree it looks ugly!
if they cant make it sexy, please please dont make it ugly.
Nice Back to the Future reference....
I don't think it looks that ugly, it looks futuristic and a little like eve from Wall-e.
"Baby girl im tellin you, I got spinnin rims underneath these wheel covers, dont trip..."
the power...is yours!
Low ranked? I just meant the car looked like it's from the future.
HOOPER, you must have missed the anti-idiom regulation passed here on Engadget a bit back.
AHAHAHAHA RIGGS
I guess that takes the term 'concept car' to a whole new level.
That car design makes me want to play Stunt Race FX for SNES
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.
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
quote: "Stunt Race FX...the graphics utilizing the super FX chip are outsatnding!" lol.
Are my eyes wrong or does this thing looks pretty wide? How will you park it?
@ OGHowie
VERY CAREFULLY.
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!!
@j_g_puff -
For now, only on sale in California. So, perhaps they aren't worried about it.
Why does the car look like that? Have they learned NOTHING from Tesla?
No, because Aptera Motors' car is chock full of awesome! Breath it all in! The future is nigh!
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
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.
actually the future is relative. if you rush towards the future, then the future rushes towards you.
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.
are you saying the Tesla Roadster is ugly? blaspheme!
"I don't care if it's shaped like some sort of phallic symbol..."
Okay, well, that's where I kinda draw a line.
@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.
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.
"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.
"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.
"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
Too bad it's only in California. Of course, I have to wonder how well these would perform in the northeast during the winter.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Google = Buy n Large
So true, so true...except that it's completely not.
Walmart is more like Buy N Large
Funny... I thought Sam's was BuyNLarge... *shrug*
Walmart == Sam's Club
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.
Not for motorcycles. This car gets lumped into the motorcycle category.
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...
There goes the COD...
Also its only being released in california so I dont think their worrying about new york...