VIDEO: Zap Alias prototype in action
In the last couple of years, Zap has become better known for questionable financial dealings and breathless press releases than actual products. Hopefully, what we have here is a sign of something better. After seeing numerous computer renderings of this spacey looking electric trike, followed by a development chassis and a styling mockup, this might be the real thing. Zap brought what is claimed to be a prototype of their Alias three-wheeler to the National Automobile Dealers Convention in New Orleans over the weekend and shot some video of it on the move. We showed a clip of it moving in a warehouse the other day and now there is a second clip of it out in the open. It's not clear if this is a fully functional unit or simply a styling buck with a golf cart motor like most concepts. Regardless, it's at least tangible proof of life for the Alias. Now if Zap would just let us drive it we might be able to build some real confidence. Thanks to Mckinzie for the tip!
Gallery: Zap Alias in Red
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Red 12:07PM (1/27/2009)
The front looks okay. The rear looks okay. But neither looks okay smashed together. It's like an oversized-T-Rex. Without the cool factor.
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80N541 12:22PM (1/27/2009)
it's huge (maybe too huge)
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Bill 7:11PM (1/27/2009)
Door looks really wobbly. He is handling it with a very delicate touch.
I agree that the front is very staunch, the rear is very...um...nonexistent. The two pieces together create a very unbalanced car. Visually, anyways.
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GoodCheer 2:48PM (1/27/2009)
I like the idea, but (unlike Red, apparently) I just detest that front end. It looks like an 8 year old's idea of what aerodynamics should be. I'd love to get one of those and take off the entire body and building something more palatable (maybe in a classic Bugatti kinda aesthetic) out of wood-strip.
I'm almost willing to guarantee you that the sound the door makes when it is closed in that video is edited in.
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Chris M 5:41PM (1/27/2009)
I had feared that maybe Zap had simply turned around an old Xebra chassis and put a fancy body on it, but the two front wheels actually do steer. We've yet to see any proof of its speed and mileage claims, or any hint as to when it will ever be for sale.
The design is not very aerodynamic, nor is it good looking. The Aptera is a much better design and will likely outperform the Alias. I'm fairly sure Aptera will start deliveries long before Zap gets their act together and starts production.
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Ben 8:13PM (1/27/2009)
We need to utilize everything in out power to reduce our dependence on foreign oil including using our own natural resources.OPEC will continue to cut production until they achieve their desired 80-100. per barrel. The high cost of fuel this past year seriously damaged our economy and society. Oil is finite. We are using oil globally at the rate of 2X faster than new oil is being discovered. We need to take some of these billions in bail out bucks and bail ourselves out of our dependence on foreign oil. Jeff Wilson has a really good new book out called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence Now. He explores our uses of oil besides gasoline, our depletion, out reserves and stores as well as viable options to replace oil.Oil is finite, it will run out in the not too distant future. WE need to take some of these billions in bail out bucks and bail America out of it's dependence on foreign oil. The historic high price of gas this past year did serious damage to our economy and society.If all gasoline cars, trucks, and SUV's instead had plug-in electric drive trains, the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota. WE should never allow others to have that much power over our economy again. Every member of congress needs to read this book.
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LloydChiro 9:30AM (1/28/2009)
So... Don't buy plastic cars?
LloydChiro 9:34AM (1/28/2009)
I work in Downtown Santa Rosa where the Zap headquarters are. I'll make it a point to walk over today to see this car. It certainly is visually striking, but you can see the tawdry build quality a mile away.
Of course, I wouldn't mind funny fitting body panels if they are just covering a rigid, fun to drive chassis.
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scammer-killer 7:34PM (2/20/2009)
I agree. When I first glanced at the Alias I thought I was impressed. Then I saw it was made by ZAP and immediately wrote it off. THEN I saw it rolling down the street and had my hope renewed. Then I remembered it was a ZAP product for $35k. I'll spend my $30k with Aptera thank you very much.
While the Alias looks much better it comes down to build quality and design for me.