Is Aptera considering a gasoline-only "2g" model?
So, we recently saw the official newsletter from Aptera about recent updates, but it sounds like there's more news to be had about the three-wheeled car. Frequent tipster Yanquetino found two video interviews by TechZulu with Aptera's founder, Steve Fambro, and points out a few interesting tidbits. First, Fambro mentions an Aptera 2g. We know from the new naming convention that the Aptera 2e is the two-seat electric and the 2h is the hybrid, but does 2g mean they're working on a gasoline only model? Then there's this:
Fambro says that have now taken deposits on... 4,000 orders! Yeeeow! They have their work cut out for them! To fulfill those orders over a two-year period, they'd have to crank out at least 12 vehicles per day, five days a week. Well... they must have $2 million in deposits to get started, and with the original $27,500 price tag, that's over $110 million in projected sales.
Also, Yanquetino notes a few design changes to the 2e: a lower, more aggressive look and a change to the seat design. The Aptera's lights are LED and the door latches are piezoelectric. A new company website is also in the works. Watch both videos after the jump. Thanks to Yanquetino for the tip!
Gallery: Aptera at the Academy Awards
[Source: TechZulu]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 11:53AM (11/25/2008)
The girl is goofy, but the car is VERY cool. Using solar panels to run a small blower to exhaust cabin air on hot days is a simple idea that ALL cars should use.
I can't wait to see the production version. If the central planners (socialists) in gov't would just let the market take care of itself, NEW technologies like this would have a better chance of competing in the market. BUT when private companies receive PUBLIC money, they are given an unfair advantage over their competitors. This corporatism (corporate socialism) kills competition, innovation and increases costs for everyone.
Good luck Aptera! (you're gonna need it)
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CNCMike 12:04PM (11/25/2008)
I would like to see a video of how you jack it up and change the rear tire if you have a flat.
I can't wait until these are available in Maryland.
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GoodCheer 2:06PM (11/25/2008)
It is interesting to hear Fambro say "Aptera 2g".
If it were me, I would build on the design work of the Aptera 2h and make a series hybrid that does not plug in. While I'm a big fan of plug-in series hybrids like the Aptera 2h, it is certainly the case that many people will not be able to plug in regularly, so buying all that extra battery capacity is a waste of money.
If the Prius can get away with 1.2kWh of stored electricity to buffer power demand, I would think that the much lighter, much slipperier Aptera could get away with somewhat less as a load buffer.
Neglecting aerodynamic and rolling resistance, accelerating the 700 kg Aptera from 0-70mph (0-32 meters/sec) would require about [.5*m*v^2] 360 kJ or 100Wh. So a 1kWh battery could launch you to 70mph about 10 times, or at 100Wh/mile could keep you driving for 10 miles.
Keeping the same generator currently being planned for the 2h, and most of the same control electronics and you have a less expensive vehicle that is also very light on the environment. I can't wait to learn more.
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PeterG 4:48PM (11/25/2008)
Agree 100%. GM should do this as well. Without the massive battery pack they could lop $10K or more off the price and get the volt in more hands.
PHEVs are a small (vocal) niche. Non plugin hybrids are a much bigger niche.
Efren Toscano 3:14PM (11/25/2008)
It was a pretty amazing car. We are planning on doing a tour of the company soon so watch out for that.
Also Thank you Sebastian for the link love.
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Sebastian 5:04PM (11/25/2008)
but of course.
Rick 10:30AM (11/26/2008)
Aptera should also consider a car model.
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Chris M 12:27AM (11/27/2008)
You mean 4 wheels? They've already mentioned that as a possible future model, and that would almost be a necessity if they want a 4 passenger version.
The additional stability offered by 4 wheels would allow them to move the front wheels in much closer, possibly even improving the aerodynamics.
Rick 8:59AM (11/27/2008)
Yes, sarcastically. The current model is form over function and I could never take it seriously as a form of transportation. I like my cars contemporary, yet traditional. The Aptera always struck me as a movie set prop and not a real vehicle.
Dennis Hazlett 8:33AM (12/27/2008)
When is production going to make Aptera available for Arizona residents?
GoodCheer 1:45PM (1/30/2009)
Rick: "The current model is form over function and I could never take it seriously as a form of transportation."
I couldn't disagree more. I would call this aesthetically revolutionary body the pinnacle of function over form. It's just the function in question is moving two humans safely with a minimum of energy. If the function you want is the ability to haul around your extended family and camping gear, then you'll need a different form.
The Other Bob 10:08AM (11/26/2008)
The reason this thing has three wheels is to get around crash resistance requirements.
Considering that, would you haul your kids around in one of these cars?
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Tim W 10:11PM (11/26/2008)
1) It is a 2 seat car. you meant "kid" not "kids" right?
2) It has 3 wheels primarily for efficiency, not regulations.
3) They might not be required to submit to the same crash tests as 4 wheeled vehicles, but they aren't stupid. They have mentioned repeatedly their work on simulated crash testing, and actual crush limit tests performed on the passenger cell indicate that the 2e should protect the passengers in the event of a crash far better than most cars on the road today.
It is not an NEV designed to go 35 max, it's a highway capable vehicle and is being engineered with that in mind. Sure I'd like to see some crash test data, but I'm not about to accuse them of trying to get their customers killed with an unsafe product.
rob 8:57AM (11/28/2008)
@Rick ... you're not alone in your desire to keep things from changing too quickly. But radical changes in function require radical changes in form. I believe that younger, more open minded folks will be more likely to adopt vehicles like this that don't follow the modified "box on top of a box' design that sedans have followed for years. Just imagine the reaction to a Murano if it was introduced 30 years ago? Same kind of thing.
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david folch 9:09PM (11/30/2008)
and why not an Aptera-2g using GNV ?
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Bobby 5:57PM (1/04/2009)
It's probably going to go down like this somewhere around 2048. Check out my story, "It Happened at Nextfest". http://www.lulu.com/content/1570109
or
www.nqbeta.com
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Ben 12:56AM (4/09/2009)
I thought it was interesting that they are using a standard VIA motherboard for the system management, and if you look at the beginning, you'll see a windows! error on the left most screen. yikes. Also, a sleek, white airplane looking car needs LEDs so you can find it at night? Riiight, it's going to blend in among all the other aircraft in the parking lot. That said, I want one so bad, but I'm waiting fo the 2HE version. Looking forward to driving to Florida on $20 worth of gas :)
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