Aptera switches to front-wheel drive, delivery date still unknown
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Aptera 2e
Yep, just after posting a story that Aptera seems extremely unlikely to get its first production model shipped before the end of 2009 comes news that essentially seals this fate. Aptera is now saying that all production models will be front-wheel drive, a major change to say the least. Previously, Aptera's preproduction models used a belt-driven rear wheel, leaving the two hoops up front alone to steer the vehicle. No longer, as Aptera offers the following reasons for the switch:
1. Better weight distribution, which, in turn, maximizes stability
2. Improved traction during acceleration and in inclement weather wet conditions
3. More efficiency at higher speeds
4. Increased durability during the life of the vehicle
5. Improved noise insulation
6. Increased rear cargo space (without sacrificing front legroom)
We're not going to spend any time arguing with any of those 6 points, but we're also fully aware that this change will further postpone sales of the 2e well into the future. For what it's worth, an Aptera Forum member named Steve (any guesses as to who that may be?) claims that the decision to switch to FWD was made all the way back in January.
Gallery: Aptera 2e
[Source: Aptera]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ziv 9:06PM (12/24/2008)
My first thought was that they should have thought of that sooner, but Steve (Fambro?) says they did and just didn't bother to mention it til after they were forced to delay production, but it isn't really a delay because December wasn't written in stone...
I think that the Volt is a much better concept, but an Aptera in the hand would be worth 2 Volts in the bush...
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Charlie 7:06PM (12/24/2008)
"I think that the Volt is a much better concept"
Really? From what I understand, the Volt is a very normal midsize car. Its aerodynamic profile is nearly identical to that of the Prius and upcoming Insight. The only difference is that it has a bigger electric motor, bigger batteries, and a serial gasoline engine placement.
My view is that right now we have a bottleneck in battery technology, and we're still very tied to the fundamental efficiency of the gasoline/diesel engine. The Aptera is pushing the envelope through its size, weight, and aerodynamic shape, getting supposedly 130mpg completely on the serial gasoline engine. What is the Volt projected to get in "range extending mode", 40mpg?
ziv 9:01PM (12/24/2008)
Charlie, you are right, the Volt is a normal mid-size car. But it will seldom use gas because most people don't drive more than 40 miles a day. So a Volt owner won't need foreign oil, they will be using electricity generated in the United States.
The Aptera is a useful development, but won't appeal to 80% of the drivers in the US.
What the Aptera might get (130 mpg possibly) and the Volt might get (40 or so MPG) when the motor has exhausted the battery simply doesn't matter because most people won't use the ICE in the Volt very often. The ICE in a Volt is there to eliminate the range anxiety of a normal BEV, and to allow an EREV to use the smallest, and least expensive, battery possible.
I like the Aptera, but a 3 wheeled car is probably going to continue to be a marginal development, whereas an EREV with 40 mile AER and unlimited ICE range is a game changer.
I thought that the Aptera would have a 2 year head start on the Volt but I just heard that they have delayed the introduction of the Aptera and are just now mentioning that they are going from a rear wheel drive to a front wheel drive. That doesn't bode well for the Aptera to get into the market soon. But the Volt isn't looking good for November 2010 either, so the Aptera still has the edge.
Charlie W 7:00PM (12/24/2008)
Meh, I just hope they start making deliveries soon and that it actually starts happening.
They claimed that they were going to be delivering both all electric and PHEV versions for under $30k. They claimed that they would get very normal highway performance. They claimed that the BEV would get about 120 miles on a charge, and that the PHEV would get 50 miles to the charge and then 130mpg when running completely off the gasoline engine. Those are very solid all-around claims.
Lets see it happen.
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Geoff de Ruiter 8:41PM (12/24/2008)
Ok I posted this on the other article but as per this articles relatedness to the topic I have re-posted it.
I believe Aptera has already done the switching to front wheel drive as per their photos on their website. If you compare them to the images in this video 3/4 in (http://video.forbes.com/fvn/economy/km_auto1200908) and of older versions/pictures (http://www.aliveandwell.tv/a_images/aptera/ApteraVehicle1Wallpaper%5B1%5D.jpg) you can see the horizontal drive shaft going into the wheel http://www.aptera.com/look.php . The hinge going to the wheel for flexibility is covered with a rubber accordion like seal covering. Hopefully this change was in fact already done and that shipping will start early 2009, i.e. no new engineering to be performed and huge lags in delivery.
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Jeff 4:52AM (12/28/2008)
I think switching to front-wheel drive, while a late move, was absolutely necessary. Huge safety and practicality benefits. Now you have a drivable car in the event of precipitation - maybe even snow.
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David Fox 1:52AM (12/25/2008)
I hope this change means a narrowed stance. It looked like it was as wide as a Hummer!.
Also I haven't seen mention of the "+1" seat, the middle seat behind the front two for a child seat...hope its still there!
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Pudge 11:48AM (12/25/2008)
Another ABG misprint?
You wrote:
"Aptera seems extremely unlikely to get its first production model shipped before the end of 2009"
I think you meant "before the end of 2008"
I haven't read anything to this point suggesting that the design changes will postpone the first deliveries to 2010.
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Matthijs 2:28AM (12/26/2008)
"For what it's worth, an Aptera Forum member named Steve (any guesses as to who that may be?) claims that the decision to switch to FWD was made all the way back in January."
I am a moderator at the Apteraforum and can confirm that Steve is indeed Steve Fambro, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Aptera Motors.
Read the official post here:
http://apteraforum.com/showpost.php?p=22025&postcount=33
And read the latest FAQ:
"When are you starting production and when will you begin delivery? (For reservation holders, we are receiving a lot of “When can I get my Aptera?”)"
1. Our goal is to release our first unit before the end of 2008. We will produce limited volumes initially and then gradually ramp-up production throughout 2009. We will provide an approximate build schedule in the future, so stay tuned.
So where is all this coming from? It's all just speculation and if they began the fwd plans in January chances are Aptera is still right on schedule!
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Allen 11:27AM (12/26/2008)
As someone who has placed an order I’m very angry at the new developments over at Aptera. The video report in the newsletter is from Forbes which includes a phone conversation with the new Aptera CEO. In the very last seconds of the video (http://video.forbes.com/fvn/economy/km_auto1200908) the reporter mentions that the 2-e will not be available until late 2009.
WTF? Late 2009? And this reporter obviously talked to the CEO personally and knows more than the people who have invested in a new model. This should make everyone who has signed up for a new model very angry.
Changing the drive train of the vehicle to the front wheels whether in December (via the official newsletter) or in January (an anonymous post on a website not related to Aptera) is a major shift in engineering. They claim it will do a laundry list of improvements but who cares? I mean changing the drive train is a huge reversal and will take months if not years to fully “test” the vehicle. Let’s not forget that this car has been under development for 5 years. If they are trying to build the perfect car the first time out they're delusional. In my opinion they should go with what they have and start building. Then put all this new technology and improvements into the 3-e, ugh!
Since they have added the Detroit guys in the mix (CEO, top engineer and marketing director) I’m beginning to loose faith in this project. These guys will grind potential production down to a nebulise date in the future which will probably not come. Turning this idea for a great much needed car into vaporware.
The only solution is to either fire the new guys (not very likely) or set a hard date for release that they fully intend to meet. I mean this is ridiculous. What if everybody had a job where you could put your boss off until some time in the future and not be specific about it. Wow, I would love that gig. Just sit back and keep getting a paycheck until the boss runs out of money to pay you. Well, that’s exactly what’s happening with Aptera. Really makes me sick because I want to drive this car now! Not in 2011 when the Japanese make it.
Cheers,
Allen
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Erik 10:39AM (1/02/2009)
I agree with Jeff: front-wheel drive makes much more sense if you are planning on trying to eventually sell this car in places other than sunny California. I'm from Minnesota, and initially wrote off this vehicle as impractical due to its rear single wheel drive... Can you imagine that in snow? Yikes! Yes, two-wheeled, front-wheel drive is worth the delay.
I'm not so sure that the Volt is worth the hype - it sounds like a glorified Prius with a larger battery, albeit 10+ years later. What does it offer that current hybrid vehicles don't already? And with GM's currently questionable financial future, the Volt may be more vaporware than anything else.
I'll hold my breath for the Aptera release. The use of actual aerodynamics (and common sense) makes most macro-manufactured cars look archaic by comparison. That and the coolness (nerdiness?) factor of owning a car that isn't easily mistaken for every other cookie-cutter compact.
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