VIDEO: All aboard the Aptera tour with co-founder Steve Fambro
Click above for a high res gallery of the Aptera 2e
Josh, the Aptera 2e fan who has been recently hanging out in parking garages and generally going camera crazy in his quest to slake the thirst of his ApteraForum friends, hit the devotee motherlode the other day at TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design). Yes, he got chauffeured about Long Beach, California by Steve Fambro, co-founder and current CTO of the start up vehicle company, who not only answered his questions without swearing him to secrecy, but even let him record the whole event on video. Steve talked a lot about the Automaptics system installed in the 2e and said it was something they were evaluating, as he repeatedly touched the screen and talked about various vehicle to grid (V2G) options and accessing the 2e through the internet.
From this drive, as well as from a hastily-called meet-and-greet with future Aptera owners held the next evening, we were able to learn the vehicle is set to undergo even more changes before it starts production. For one, the wheelspan is set to be reduced by six inches. The suspension geometry is also set to undergo some revision and some changes may be made to the body to better deal with crosswinds. Hit the jump for the video.
Gallery: Aptera 2e
Gallery: Aptera 2e at TED
[Source: ApteraForum]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ronEbear 1:38PM (2/06/2009)
please please please autoblog green please stop using youtube as means to post video. I can`t effin watch them at work :P
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Domenick Yoney 1:48PM (2/06/2009)
Actually, this one is on Vimeo. Is it blocked for you? There's also a torrent of the file ( http://www.rechargeamerica.net/RideWithSteve.AVI.torrent ) but I suspect that might not be allowed in your workplace either.
-M.Dub 2:00PM (2/06/2009)
Youtube is a good way to post video, although, some people are unemployed rather than watching videos at work Ron. Just count your blessings before complaining!
Chris M 4:47PM (2/06/2009)
Unless your work involves cars, the environment or news, you really shouldn't be viewing sites like this on company time. Get a decent internet connection at home, then you can view videos of all types in private, with no danger of loosing your job.
But if your job really does involve cars or the environment or news, and you have a legitimate business reason to review websites like this, then you should ask the company IT department that you be allowed to view the videos here.
Phil 11:30PM (2/06/2009)
Hey, I prefer Youtube so I can watch them on my iPhone. I'm not sure why a website should change its policies just so you can get around work policies.
jharlan 1:47PM (2/06/2009)
This apparently still a concept car, but better that than waiting until paying customers complain. It's cute, interesting and innovative, but how much appeal will it have? I have a feeling it's not going to have much practical value to people whose car is a tool. It's likely appealing to those people who really want to be seen as being on the cutting edge and money is no object. There is a market for this.
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Sean 2:03PM (2/06/2009)
"not going to have much practical value"? What are you talking about. The Aptera is the first practical commuter vehicle I have seen. It was actually designed to be a good vehicle as opposed to every car mass produced up to this point which has been designed to look cool. It has the cheapest operating cost per mile and while $30,000 is not a small sum for a car, Its way cheaper than any comparable vehicle and that price should drop as economies of scale kick in and they streamline production. If you need more than 100+ mile range, get the 2h instead of the 2e.
Killroy 9:39PM (2/08/2009)
jharlan, If money were no object Aptera buyers would just get a Tesla. FYI, EV people pay 40K for a ~8 year old RAV 4 EV. If you have a regular commute, than BEVs are more practicle than people think.
harlanx6 2:36PM (2/06/2009)
You may be right, Sean. I really hope they make it, because they are very cool cars. For my 30k I think i'll shop around a little more.
gorr 5:22PM (2/06/2009)
@ harlanx6
I do like you, i shop here and im still waiting more. I said that i were shopping here last month and a deeply depressed folk name chris m tell me that it's not a shopping site, LOL.
Matt 1:51PM (2/06/2009)
That was amazing! It seems to creek around turns a bit, but hey, it's pre-production, right? Anyway, I want one.... now if I could just remember where I left my money...
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meme 2:02PM (2/06/2009)
Don't forget Josh's glowing review of the drive, here:
http://www.apteraforum.com/showthread.php?t=2196
I have an extremely detailed article trying to sum up the overload of new information about Aptera that's been coming out in the past couple days that should be coming up on Gas2.org soon. There's already a version of it at Daily Kos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/2/5/145733/6076/1000/693621
Tim 2:16PM (2/06/2009)
Very cool, and I believe it has been done all without a single taxpayer dollar!
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meme 3:10PM (2/06/2009)
Indeed it has. Idealab, Google, Essenjay Petroleum, and several others put up the big bucks to make it happen.
They ought to be very proud of what they've accomplished.
Griffon 2:35PM (2/06/2009)
Man, is that thing LOUD. I guess they still don't have the sound insulation in?
I didn't see a 3d turn by turn mode for the GPS mmm.
Still a huge fat, long car for only a two seater. A definite must see and drive in person kind of things I suspect.
Definitly agree on not locking auto the gps/controls, that drives my crazy on my highlander h.
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meme 3:11PM (2/06/2009)
"Man, is that thing LOUD."
Actually, no, it's not. This was filmed on a still camera, not a video camera. What you're hearing is the result of an overly aggressive sound equalizer, trying to bringwhatever background volume is present up to an average level. Josh, who was in the car, described it as just a little bit louder than his Prius running with its engine off. People at the evening showing said it rolled up without so much as a sound.
"Still a huge fat, long car for only a two seater."
It's actually going to be narrowing up by six inches.
matthijs 4:14PM (2/06/2009)
Here is a "High Quality" Youtube version of the testride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgit7iIrxZw
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Jane 10:38PM (2/06/2009)
That is one cool car.
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Rick 2:34PM (2/09/2009)
I can't take this vehicle seriously. It's not a car, it's a vehicle. And not one I'd care to have.
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Chris M 12:37AM (2/10/2009)
Then don't. There is no single vehicle that is perfect for everyone. This would not be suitable for a contractor hauling a load of lumber or a soccer mom driving the team to a game, but it would be perfect for a single commuter.