Aptera adds side mirrors, reduces number of back-up cameras
The Aptera vehicle, an official X Prize contender, is going through changes. As hinted at back in September, the Aptera-2e (the Typ-1's new official name) is going through some design changes, including the addition of side mirrors. The mirrors allow a single camera to show what is directly behind the 2e, whereas the earlier three-camera system "couldn't effectively show the body as a point of reference." According to the company, these new additions don't do too much damage to the aerodynamic of the flightless plane shape of the 2e so "the change to the overall drag has been minimal." The stated reason is that the body-mounted cameras caused airflow disruption anyway, and the mirrors make it kind of a six of one, half-dozen of the other kind of thing. Whaddya think?
Gallery: Aptera
[Source: Aptera]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mark Kiernan 6:13PM (11/22/2008)
I don't buy that air flow won't be affected, but it should be minimal. I think the car is fantastic anyway. I read that it should be sold for about $30,000, anyone got an update on that.
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GoodCheer 6:39PM (11/22/2008)
I think that many states require rear-view mirrors specifically in their safety codes. While cameras may (or may not) do the job just as well or better, if the don't meet code, they will keep Apteras off the streets.
I suspect that meeting code is actually the dominant driver of the decision.
Yanquetino 6:22PM (11/22/2008)
This is how the newsletter explains the name change:
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"The challenge is that, with the name Aptera Typ-1, we have two names vying for attention: 'Aptera' and 'Typ-1.' With that in mind, we have decided to simplify the name and call the vehicle the Aptera-2e, where the 2 designates the number of passengers and the e denotes the electric powertrain. Our sentiment is that with this convention, the vehicle name will rarely be spoken apart from the brand."
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Unfortunately, that "sentiment" is likely mistaken: note above how Sebastian calls it the 2e --without the "brand" name preceding it. My prediction is that the vast majority of consumers will follow suit.
Nonetheless, such a designation seems to legitimize Aptera's future plans. There have been rumors of a 4-seat model, which, according to the symbolism explained above, will evidently be called the 4e.
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Mark Kiernan 8:52AM (11/23/2008)
The 4e (4 seater) sounds really great!
gulags 8:17PM (11/22/2008)
If they are following that naming convention, I'm holding out hope for a 1e at some point.
Chris M 6:06PM (11/23/2008)
They could also have a tandem seat design called the Aptera 2-ET. Flying saucer, anyone?
Hank 10:10PM (11/22/2008)
Less to go wrong, and every watt counts. Looks good to me. I hope Aptera does well.
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!!D 10:49PM (11/22/2008)
month. old. news.
I've read that mirrors are required in some states, but can't confirm. Power consumption of cameras would pale in comparison to the supply of the batteries; so I don't think that's the cause. My guess is that it's about cost savings or reliability (reducing points of failure).
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Alex Lopez 9:20PM (11/29/2008)
I think it has to do with complying with laws that require it to have mirrors. If they wanted to have a reference for the body, they could have done it like Toyota did in their Volta concept car, with the camera mounted like a conventional mirror:
http://tinyurl.com/6zlssm
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g 12:11PM (11/23/2008)
When will manufacturers stop daydreaming? It needs to look like a car, sorry.
What happened to the 65mpg Honda CRX that was around in the 90's.
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Max 4:02PM (11/24/2008)
Why does it have to look like a car? The Aptera is technically a motorcycle.
SteveCT 2:30PM (11/24/2008)
That CRX got into an accident, and its lack of steel reinforcements resulted in both of its occupants being crushed to death. I'm sure they're both very happy about all the gas they saved.
g 3:00PM (11/24/2008)
Why didn't they just reinforce it?
Scott 5:17AM (11/23/2008)
This was news a month ago. Why are they bringing this up again like it is some big, new, previously unknown radical change?
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R in Fla 10:08AM (11/23/2008)
Scott, you commented on this already. Let's get new comments here, OK?
andrichrose 7:05AM (11/23/2008)
Its great , however it would be whole lot better if you could actually buy one !
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emdee 7:53AM (11/23/2008)
Mirrors are way more practical than cameras anyway. I wouldn't mind them ditching the last camera for a proper rear window too.
Lets hope the credit crisis doesn't do them in and they'll actually offer something to buyers real soon.
Too bad it'll probably be five years before I can even hope to see one offered over here in Europe :(
I wonder how the three wheel design and plastic body do in sub zero temperatures?
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mr.ed 2:24PM (11/23/2008)
Speaking of regs, where are the bumpers? Wipers?
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GoodCheer 5:46PM (11/23/2008)
The answers to your questions are easy to find. Have you tried?
mr.ed 6:06PM (11/23/2008)
Don't see any. You?