VIDEO: Jay Leno drives, loves the Aptera
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While Dave Letterman struggles to correctly describe the Chevrolet Volt, rival late-night host Jay Leno takes a bit more care to get things right in his test drive of the Aptera 2e. To get the facts straight, Leno interviews Paul Wilbur, Aptera's president and CEO. Wilbur explains how the car's solar panels keep the interior cool, talks about the vehicle's aerodynamics, and describes a little bit of the technology inside the 2e's sleek body. One cool thing we learn is that, thanks to the incredibly low drag on the 2e, taking your foot of the accelerator results in a very smooth bit of coasting. The last few minutes of the nine-minute video is of Jay Leno cruising down the California highway at 70 mph, with everybody and their brother snapping pictures as they drive by. Check out the video after the jump. Thanks to Mike B. and Brian for the tips!
Gallery: Aptera 2e
[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sam 9:12AM (5/20/2009)
When does it go in to production???
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LiqwidZero 11:10AM (5/20/2009)
I believe the Aptera 2e comes out later this year, but the production will be limited to the state of California. You can, of course, buy one outside of California, but you'd have to go there yourself or get a chartered freighter to bring it to you.
Chris M 9:06PM (5/20/2009)
Assuming there are no major last minute problems, the first deliveries should arrive this October. Of course, there is already a long line-up of orders, so if you ordered now you probably wouldn't get it until next year.
Matt 9:12AM (5/20/2009)
I always liked Leno better anyway, even before I knew he loved cars. He and Kevin Eubanks crack me up. Jay if you're reading this, I would really love to take care of your cars for you; I'm thinking the Leno Motorsports Museam. Hey, it could happen!
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Chad 11:22AM (5/20/2009)
Not if you can't spell museum...
Matt 11:57AM (5/20/2009)
DOH!
jharlan 10:24AM (5/20/2009)
What a cool car! It really makes the herd of new, tiny EVs look uninspired. Which would you rather be seen driving, an Aptera or an iMIEV?
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wave54 7:13PM (5/20/2009)
What would I rather be seen in (or actually purchase)? The iMiEV -- no doubt about it!
The Aptera seems like fun for a Sunday drive, but I couldn't live with it day-in and day-out. Doesn't seems like a good fit for the wintry Northeast either, if this will be your only car. I've had the wheelwells stuffed for days/weeks with rock-hard ice and packed snow in a larger, regular car. When hitting a bump, the fenders would crash down on the ice. That would never work in an Aptera with those front pods.
I could see this in So. California, though.
harlanx6 9:57AM (5/21/2009)
I suspect you might be in the minority, Wave 54.
Snoopy 9:50PM (5/20/2009)
Honestly, I'd rather be seen in either one of the two, and I hope to be able to purchase one of the two some time in the near future.
harlanx6 9:41AM (5/21/2009)
Waiting for these companies to put their new products on the showroom is excruciating, and then there is EEstor.
JasonN 10:45AM (5/20/2009)
It's ugly and it's never gonna take off en masse!
It's only advantage, is that it has 3 wheels and therefore not subject to the same crash test scrutiny of a 4 wheeled vehicle. I believe it is basically classed as a motorcycle or a trike. With investors, this company could get it to market fast without the rigorous and expensive crash testing, but the number of consumers for this design will be so minute that it will not be a real player.
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Ben 12:01AM (5/21/2009)
I'm torn after seeing the Aptera and hearing Jay's comments. I wonder how it handles in the snow? The i-MiEV w/four wheels I can imagine...
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Ralph 7:46AM (5/21/2009)
Valid concern. Four wheeled vehicles leave a central hump of snow/ice on the road and this is where Aptera's rear wheel travels. I can imagine the back end bouncing around back there quite a bit.
I see the Aptera as a great vehicle for the warmer states. A four wheel version would better suit the colder climates IMO.
Ben 9:58AM (5/21/2009)
Ralph,
Again, for me Aptera in snow an unknown. Are you familiar with the NMG? (formerly known as the Sparrow). It is a three wheeled electric vehicle, but friends who own them here in the north Ohio/Michigan, claim it tracks through the snow fine. Still, without some testimony from owner/drivers of Apteras with snow experience I can't make a fair judgment only voice a desire to know more (or have the chance to try it in snow conditions.)
meme 12:32PM (5/20/2009)
JasonN: They're crash testing it anyway. And they've already done crush tests. It got double the federal door standard for cars and 5x the roof crush standard for cars.
As for "ugly", I think you'll find that on almost every news site that has an article about the Aptera, around half of people adore its looks and half despise them. But it doesn't matter if half hate it; half of people loving its looks equates to a huge potential market.
I, by the way, am solidly in the "Love it!" category. Hence, I'm on the waiting list ;)
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omaticman 12:53PM (5/20/2009)
Jay! Should you happen to read this, the Jetsons' dog was named "Astro!" Or should I say "Rastro"? :-)
Thanks so much for a fun, fascinating look at the 2e!!
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RustyLugNut 1:00PM (5/20/2009)
@JasonN
It may be ugly to you, but to a lot of people, it is absolutely beautiful! I personally have mixed feelings about the looks, but I would buy it for the efficiency - just as long as the price is right.
And, they already have investors and a factory and more safety features than some small cars, with plans to test for crash worthiness in the near future. My guess is that it will pass easily with its race car composite construction.
Will they be a real player or not? They are at the bleeding edge of auto technology. Bleeding edge markets tend to be small - at first. Only time will tell. But, if the deposits on the initial production run are any indications, the sales response is going to be strong enough to launch a serious company.
Many young people (25 and under) seem to like the design. They have fewer preconceptions about what a car should look like. As time passes, more vehicles will follow this concept of minimal aerodynamics and mass. At which time, current cars will look old and ugly.
Peace,
out.
RustyLugNut
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FitFan 1:33PM (5/20/2009)
I love it!
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required 1:50PM (5/20/2009)
Much fun. Like it a lot, makes me hate my car even more.
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