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Aptera - All electric - 120
Mile range. Top speed 90mph.
Ever had Minority Report car envy, or have day dreams of hovering to
work in a saucer like George Jetson, well have we got news for you!
On November 19, 2007 Carlsbad-based Aptera announced that it is now
taking fully refundable reservation deposits of $500 toward its
all-electric vehicle that has styling's unlike anything the
automobile world has seen.
The three wheel vehicle (which based on its wheel layout and weight,
is registered as a motorcycle) looks more like a household version
of a passenger plane, or flying saucer, than a car. Its aerodynamic
lines make it hard to believe that it won’t lift off at any second.
The company hired the design firm, 'Eleven', led by Jason Hill and
Nathan Armstrong.
Aptera and Eleven made impressive strides by developing body
styling, interior design, and structural engineering to maximize
efficiency using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). The company
also developed and built advanced suspension and drive train
components, and integrated a strong yet lightweight composite shell.
The vehicle uses a small, water-cooled EFI Gasoline engine with
closed loop oxygen feedback and catalytic converter that is coupled
to a lightweight 12KW starter/generator. The result is a very clean
and quiet ride, with an acceleration of 0-60 time in 10 seconds. But
most impressive is that the car has an astonishing range of 120
miles, and its hybrid version will provide more than than 300 miles
per gallon.
The incredible vehicle was slated for release in 2008 and is sold at
under $30,000. With its outrageous lines and tempting efficiency, it
will be exciting to see the market response.
To reserve your Aptera for $500 go to: Aptera.com |
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Aptera, which is Greek for “wingless” is a
three-wheel two-seater that boasts to be one of the most fuel
efficient cars on the road. Although technically not classified as a
car (they’re calling it a motorcycle) the Aptera is
in development and the company is taking pre-orders from
California residents. It goes from 0-60 in less than 10
seconds and the price tag is as light as the model, they only want
$26,900 for the all-electric and $29,900 for the plug-in hybrid bad
boy. This is truly a spaceship on wheels!
Riding in the Typ-1 is sort of like being in a high-tech fishbowl.
There’s incredible visibility from all sides except the back, which
is equipped with a rear-view camera that displays whatever’s
happening behind the vehicle on a trio of computer screens.
Formed from high-tech fiberglass that isn’t just lighter than steel
but 10 times stronger, according to Fambro. The Typ-1 has yet to be
crash tested, but Fambro says the crumple zone on the Typ-1 is
longer than that of a typical car, and the crush strength of the
roof and side doors is stronger than what’s been mandated for a
regular passenger vehicle. |
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This website will help you to see that there are
many other options available to us as consumers to satisfy our
transportation needs and desires. We do not have to think that the
options at our disposal are all going to be ugly, and/or box like.
Actually that is about as far from the truth as you can get.
Manufacturer's like General Motors, with their Chevrolet, and Saturn
branches. Also Toyota, and Honda, as well as BMW, Lexus, Ford,
Chrysler, SSC, Hyundai and many others have jumped into the eco car
reality. Some companies by choice to help make our world a better
and greener place to live. A place that has less emissions, or even
better no emissions from the vehicles that we choose to drive.
By setting strict guidelines as to what we as a society will
tolerate for the new emissions levels coming from the vehicles that
we produce, purchase and drive. Deciding to not buy and or use
vehicles that do not meet our personal requirements is a good place
to start. Write to your state representative telling them that you
want them to enforce stronger regulations on the newer vehicles that
are being produced in our country. The rest of the world and auto
makers will conform as well once we set the example of making our
world a better place.
"Aerodynamic improvement is a critical step in meeting the range
targets necessary for moving the vehicle to a final production
decision." Aerodynamic drag accounts for approximately 20 percent of
the energy consumed in an average vehicle, directly impacting
vehicle fuel efficiency. Aerodynamics development begins with a
1/3-scale model where basic shape and major features are defined.
The model includes a highly detailed underbody and engine
compartment. Radiator and under hood cooling flow is developed with
computational fluid dynamic models. Simultaneously, computation
development takes place to determine aerodynamic drag of design
alternatives. Development continues with full-scale models, where
shape is refined and optimized for low wind noise. The development
process concludes with a vehicle prototype validation of the
math-based analysis and physical testing. |
