Production Aptera 2e leaked again on forum
Aptera 2e final design rendering - Click above to enlarge
Just about a month ago, a rendering of what appears to be the final production-spec Aptera 2e showed up at apteraforum.com. As interesting as that image was, it only showed the futuristic machine from the rear three-quarter view, leaving us to wonder what changes had been made to the front fascia.
Wonder no more. Thanks to a new post at Aptera Forum, we get another glimpse of what's purported to be the production-spec car, this time from the front three-quarter. As before, we note some obvious changes to the original design, most notably the addition of a hood and a front bumper.
We also see front wheel pods that are asymetrical, new headlight clusters with integrated turn signals, new side mirrors and newly-shaped windows that now feature a lower sill – likely necessary to facilitate fully functional roll-down glass. Take a look at the image below and be sure to check out apteraforum.com for more commentary.
Gallery: Aptera 2e final design renderings
[Source: apteraforum.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John Lee 2:59PM (10/27/2009)
Any leaks as to when the expected ship date is would be greatly appreciated.
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Sean C 3:27PM (10/27/2009)
I know alot of people are split on the looks of the Aptera, but I think it's a beautiful vehicle. I know they're getting alot of heat for he delay's but obviously they're not sitting idle. They're incorporating the myriad of comments they received to make this revolutionary vehicle as practical as it can be.
Go Aptera!!
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Boyprodigy1 4:45PM (10/27/2009)
I'm a little saddened whenever I hear someone say that it looks ugly. I feel like its a very futuristic look and if a lot of them were to sell it would make car designers bolder in their designs and could ultimately fundamentally change the way cars are designed. This car makes the nerd in me giddy with joy for the fact that it could be a mere 15-20 years before our streets look like the future envisioned in the 50's.
Go Aptera!
BlackbirdHighway 8:05PM (10/27/2009)
I'm ok with the looks, I just want them to find that missing wheel!
Chaz 3:29PM (10/28/2009)
It's going to look different because it is very different.
The Aptera is a 'form follows function' car, not the other way around. It's a very different car in the fact that it gets 100+ mpg. If you want something that different from the mainstream it's going to have to look different from the mainstream.
In short, the Aptera looks different because it is very different from your average car.
And in this case, I think different is good!
Mark Kiernan 3:35PM (10/27/2009)
I think it is a beauty, it is highly efficient and has everything an EV should have. It also is expected to cost less than 30k which is really good when you compare it to other EVs due out next year.
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NmGfan 5:30PM (10/27/2009)
Maybe that low. The current price range is "mid-twenties to mid-forties"; we have yet to see what constitutes a $45K Aptera 2e. It's also remains to be seen what options can run a price up $20K on a very complete base vehicle. Or, conversely, what does a "stripped" base level 2e leave out? I say the starting price will be north of $30K for a well equipped standard base model and south of $45K for a fully loaded model.
Reality Hurts 3:36PM (10/27/2009)
Wow... it is still embarrassingly ugly...
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ShaunneyCakes 3:39PM (10/27/2009)
I agree, I have been talking about how hideous this thing is for a while. Aptera will learn their lesson when they only sell 1-2k in the first year, but hey, a vehicle as ugly as this, they may consider that a HUGE success.
IAMXD 5:54PM (10/27/2009)
Beautiful car. It's transportation that makes sense. Efficiency and looks.
It may not catch on at first, but if they push the marketing hard enough I think they have a winner on their hands.
It's forward thinking and if you can't deal with that then go buy one of those Chinese Codas... Then you'll have the 80's technology and style you crave...
Throwback 4:03PM (10/27/2009)
I just don't see wide appeal for this. Probably why it is for California only. The model S on the other hand is a 'real" car.
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eigenfunction 4:10PM (10/27/2009)
I can't wait until the Aptera 2e becomes available outside of CA. For me,
efficiency = beauty.
Aptera seems to be the only car company that understands physics. They demonstrate this by building a vehicle from the ground up with energy efficiency in mind. For my money, I would like to travel as far as possible on one Joule. Beyond this, everything is secondary. The fact that the 2e takes a beautiful, organic shape is icing on the cake.
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eigenvalue 4:36PM (10/27/2009)
I agree 100%. Too bad most people don't view it that way.
John Lee 4:59PM (10/27/2009)
"most" people do not need to see it that way for the car to be a success.
When I hear these comments, I keep thinking that they are probably talking about the first generation Volkswagen beetle. And we all know what a flop that car was. This car has the potential to be the Volks EV.
Mark Kiernan 5:27PM (10/27/2009)
Well said Sir.
alexacoon 5:26PM (10/27/2009)
Until much longer range is available this vehicle seems to be ideal; what is the point of a large sedan when all many people need is a vehicle to get back and forth to work? It would almost seem that offering such a vehicle would hurt EV's if people were given the impression they can load up the family and travel a few hundred miles.
As far as being ugly this looks nicer to me than a Prius and given some Tesla style power I'd love to see how fast something this slick might go.
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Boyprodigy1 5:31PM (10/27/2009)
They have said the top speed will be 90 mph. But thats the factory top speed. Wait until the nerds get their hands on them. I see a new generation of tuner cars...
paulwesterberg 6:12PM (10/27/2009)
Given the slippery nature of the aptera it shouldn't take much horsepower to give it good acceleration, but all of the speculation I see online says 10 seconds 0-60 which is the exact same time as the 2010 prius.
But the prius actually has decent acceleration thanks to its electric motor. In comparison the new blumotion golf has a 0-60 time of 11.3 seconds.
gulags 6:08PM (10/27/2009)
I'll say the same thing every time an Aptera article is posted:
The 2g is what would be a really great success. This car is meant to be a highway cruiser, not a daily commuter.
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Sean 7:37PM (10/27/2009)
Thats why they are making the 2h