Edmunds has an article covering a test drive they did with the aptera prototypes.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=144286

Good article, but it makes me wonder if they can truly ship anything this year.

The more I look at this vehicle the more I am convinced that it will be confined to an exotic niche in the market. The only way that they would ever make it to the dream of 100,000 units in a year is if Obama convinces congress to mandate this be the only vehicle available or we really do run out of oil. The Aptera embodies everything that Americans dread in an EV. Not too many Americans want to drive a sperm on wheels.

The more I look at this vehicle the more I am convinced that it will be confined to an exotic niche in the market. The only way that they would ever make it to the dream of 100,000 units in a year is if Obama convinces congress to mandate this be the only vehicle available or we really do run out of oil. The Aptera embodies everything that Americans dread in an EV. Not too many Americans want to drive a sperm on wheels.






Yes, it's going to take some time for people to adopt forms that follow function. The most aerodynamic shapes should be part of what we think of when we think of movement. It's more efficient.

However, do people think sharks are ugly? How about fish? Sperm? These have evolved over time because they have to move though a much more viscous medium.

Do birds look like hummers? Do humans dislike how airplanes look? No, we are use to them.

Don't worry, humans love the look of race cars and their low aero look. Aptera might look a bit strange but the basic concept of achieving the lowest possible coefficient of drag is a sound one.

You have to start somewhere. The design will evolve and eventually some fancy designer will tweak the design so that it's beauty will be universally accepted.

In fact, I would say that if you design with the idea of form following function you are much more likely to have a successful international product. Why are jeans so universally loved? Because they hug the human form, especially the woman form, and we are just wired to enjoy that! ;)

“ The more I look at this vehicle the more I am convinced that it will be confined to an exotic niche in the market… “ – Dav8or

Yes, I agree. Interesting but I do not want to park this car (motorcycle?) at a shopping centre during holiday shopping time. Looks like it takes 1.5 parking spaces.

I guess I'm just a big fan of having 4 wheels on the ground. We don't get much snow and ice where I live luckily, but every time we do, it's not a pretty picture for driving with 3 inches of packed ice on the ground for days at a time even on the freeway. Now make the tire foot print about 1/3rd the size of a normal car and make the whole thing shaped like a wing (curved upper half and flatter lower half creating upward lift), and you've got some good times.

I'm also curious what would happen if someone went to change lanes and didn't see you because you're so small or whatever and clipped one of your front wheels in a side swipe, you would probably immediately start rolling like pin wheel. Granted you're probably not any safer in a motorcycle and there are a few people who don't seem to mind riding one of those on occasion, but this thing is a lot wider and therefore likely subject to getting its toes stepped on etc. I would think.

The Think is coming out for $20k supposedly.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4308689.html

And of course there is Nissan which is well on its way to EVdom. They are aiming for a 150 mile range.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4276765.html

It also sounds like Toyota and Ford will be nipping at their heals too with full EVs in 2011.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/11/video-toyota-unveils-ft-ev-concept-details-plug-in-prius-you/

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/01/14/abg-quick-drive-ford-focus-ev-mule-w-video/

I'll tell you what. If I had to choose between regular looking car Ford Focus with only 80 mile AER or something, and sperm that had 100 mile range, I think I'd pick the Focus.

Well, what do I know? We will see what the market says I suppose.

The Aptera is essential to the whole debate, because it shows environmentalists and the government policy makers just what is realistic to achieve when you optimize on aerodynamics. The best drag coefficient you will get is 0.15, and the vehicle will essentially be a commuter vehicle with minimal storage space (for groceries). We will also see how many people would actually like to buy such a vehicle - the government can even offer rebates to obtain more data, if they feel the vehicle would be more broadly accepted at a cheaper price.

The Aptera is essential to the whole debate, because it shows environmentalists and the government policy makers just what is realistic to achieve when you optimize on aerodynamics.

This is a good point. It will be interesting to see how many lawmakers go out and buy an Aptera. Then again, they have always subscribed to the "do as I say, not as I do" school of thought.:rolleyes: As to the environmentalists, maybe now they will stop whinning about who killed the electric car. The electric car seems to be very much alive, so time to put up or shut up.

While I do see the Aptera as being a bit 'niche', I can forsee it being a large niche! If Aptera can get the production costs down within a couple years of starting delivery, they could be a hit! A 2e at $15k could sell a lot of them as commuting vehicles. At that price, I would want to buy one to use for commuting!

We'll have to see, but the Aptera does have a lot of promise.