Aptera Closer to Roll Out.

[weslich]

I'm mildly interested. We'll see how they do in California first.

[Dgate]

I would buy an Aptera in a heartbeat, I would also buy another Smart car but then again some would say i'm a little odd in my choice of cars. One thing for sure I have gained a vast ,varied and enjoyable experience of unusual cars over the past 55 years and would never settle for the norm. Give me the extreme's anyday,the opposite's in designs from one extreme to the other provides you with more feedback fun and experience than sticking with one concept.

DGate

[Dgate]

Just had the latest news from Aptera and they are switching from the single rear belt driven wheel to front wheel drive.
This is a major rethink since the electric motor will be moved to the front.
This is probably to bring the electric only version in line with the placement of the ICE hybrid package.Having the weight in the nose with the front wheels pulling provides better natural stability,better traction and will prevent the rear from rising when accelerating from standstill.
Its a shame though that such a simple light weight design now has to have a differential,four CV joints, two driveshafts and two beefed up hub carriers to facilitate this rethink.

Just shows how easy it is to add weight in the process of achieving a production for public consumption.

DGate

[bryankwalton]

Originally Posted by Dgate

Just had the latest news from Aptera and they are switching from the single rear belt driven wheel to front wheel drive.

I suspect this will make the Aptera a more workable option for those of us who live in regions that receive much snow and ice.

-Bryan

[Dgate]

Aptera has just finished first pre production model that is being scrutinized for correct fit and finish with production slated for Oct this year...... http://evworld.com:80/news.cfm?newsid=20177

DGate

[Dougie]

The argument about stability of three wheelers seems to be based on forgetting the Morgan trikes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NA40gaI ... re=related

[weslich]

I would love to see one of these things on the road and get some real world feedback. Boy, these things take a long time to get off the ground! Maybe by the time my Insight is just about worn out, the Apteras will have been on the road for a few years and the bugs will be worked out. It would be nice not to have a fuel bill.

[Dgate]

Boy, these things take a long time to get off the ground!

Yes just think how long it takes a major manufacturer to produce a new model and they already have an infrastructure in place. New start ups have a lot longer and harder road to a viable consumer product. It doesn't help that todays consumers expect perfection from day one, and this in an imperfect world.
I hope the recession is not a killer for them,shame they couldn't have been in full swing while gas was high.

DGate

[merryandlovely]

I hope you are wrong about that. I think that there is real potential for such vehicles; relatively inexpensive, long lasting, efficient and two seat transportation.

[boogetyboogety]

Oh..... You mean... like one of these?