The Future is Here: Aptera's Prototype Unveiled

I'd like to see photos of it hitting a pothole or driving through 6in. of snow, or after a crash test. There are no side mirrors, huge blind spots. I'll stick with the Prius.

Where is one supposed to put the number-plates?!? (especially the rear one) Looks a bit too much of a Colani dream to me :o)

This vehicle is just plain silly. I agree completely with the first poster. This is a totally unrealistic concept, and in my opinion, a waste of time. Sure, they got attention, people (whoever reads websites like this one) know the name of thier company.... for now, but what great innovations have they come up with that can be used in the real world?

Carlos

What's the inside look like?

Uses rear-view cameras. Do some research before you knock peoples hard work.

Give them a break- you can't expect to step right up to a car that's an exact replica of your current one yet does 230 mpg! They're heading in the right direction and maybe a lot of the things they're trying out here will be standard on cars everyone's driving in 10 years. Somebody's got to give these ideas a go in the real world. The first automobile probably wasn't very practical compared to a good horse and carriage either!

People ride motorcycles and modeds to save money and I think this car is a whole lot safer than that. If you like in a snowy place I wouldn't buy that.

I live in Hawaii and I would buy that, depending on the reliability of the powertrain. Hopefully they use off the self parts that are cheap and readily available, and reliable.

Willbyne you are correct the first automobiles weren't very good, broke down all the time etc. Now onto this concept. Much of what I see in it goes to fight air resistance and some things camera's instead of mirrors will probably end up on production cars. On the practical side much of what I see here doesn't make for a good real world auto. It cannot pass NHTSA crash standards without adding a few hundred pounds worth of bumpers alone. Now if they change the rules and the front is can be a crushable structure and make it cheap enough to replace it maybe. Hows the fuel usage when it's not going down the road at 55. I wonder if your looking at a low drag one trick pony.

Oops, ok I'll leave my other comments stand but 3 wheels so it'll be classed as a motorcycle and so crash standards need not apply. I hope there's a safety cage all the same or I wouldn't want to share the road with the truck and SUV's

I like it, I don't care about semi's or snow. As far as running into poles go, you only live once. This just plain cool, and I drive a hopped up 928 Porsche so I'm about as green as a wart right now. I'd trade my car in for one of these without a second thought and stop making priuses spin around and around when I blow by them at 140. I need a car like this to keep me from killing myself from pure speed. It looks like redemption for a sinner like me. Plus I'd have something to do with all the biodiesel I made when I got obsessed with it, not to mention a lifetime supply of glycerin soap courtesy of my cool car. I hope these guys and more like them keep coming up with cool solutions to three dollar gas.

Well if people want 230mpg, then sorry but this is what it will have to look like!

I've been an environmental activist since 1968 - this looks like an airplane with wheels instead of wings and as a single (used-to-be) commuter VERY UNREALISTIC. It holds one person???, no room for groceries or hauling stuff. Waste of time and good minds, and someone's hard earned dollars to put together - in my opinion!

Considering that this thing has 3 wheels rather than the 2 of a motorcycle and the cameras providing visibility, it seems safer than a bike. The 230 mpg makes it more fuel efficient than a bike. I can't wait to see one even though I live where it snows. Simply raising the thing a little higher and giving drive to all wheels would make it work in the snow. That might decrease the fuel efficiency a little, but with 230 to start, hey, you've got some wiggle room, right?

So Jan Jensen, what exactly about being an environmental activist makes you a better judge of automobile practicality? You call this a waste of time and effort, what exactly have you done for the environment that you think compares to this?
As for my thoughts on it, yes it looks somewhat impractical, but not much more so than supercars and such, which as far as I know also fail to live up to standard crash requirements. As for it being for one person (which I'm not convinced it is), how many cars do you see on the road with one person in them?
I'm not saying this thing is going to ever be economically viable, but some of the criticism being thrown around here is just stupid.

So Jan Jensen, what exactly about being an environmental activist makes you a better judge of automobile practicality? You call this a waste of time and effort, what exactly have you done for the environment that you think compares to this?
As for my thoughts on it, yes it looks somewhat impractical, but not much more so than supercars and such, which as far as I know also fail to live up to standard crash requirements. As for it being for one person (which I'm not convinced it is), how many cars do you see on the road with one person in them?
I'm not saying this thing is going to ever be economically viable, but some of the criticism being thrown around here is just stupid.

I can't believe so many people are bashing this concept! This car is right out of the Jetsons! Tell me you don't want to drive a futuristic and gorgeous vehicle like this!

Here is my review of it. I've been watching this one since it was announced last year. I am not surprised it didn't make the original 330 mpg.

I am not comparing it to a car! This is NOT a car. It is a motorbike. Covered yes but still a motorbike. So don't talk about safety when hitting a truck or SUV. You are in much more trouble on a motorbike.

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best and 1 being the worst here is how I rate it.

Looks = 8. If you like smooth slicked back vehicle designs like I do it is one of the best I've seen.

Practicality = 7. Yes I say 7! As a 2 seater (one front one back) it is a great commuter car and much better than a motorbike because it is covered from the rain, wind, snow.

Cost = 5. I give it low marks here because I think any "entry level auto" has to compete with a low end motorbike. At around $15,000.00 I would move it up to a 7.

Performance = 6. Not a great motorbike but much better than other low end electrics and it can go on the highway. I am tired of seeing glorified golf carts being pushed as commuter vehicles.

Safety = 6. With in-seatbelt airbag and a decent crash cage it is much better than a motorbike. The lightweight composites are very strong. Not as strong as steel yet but better than nothing (ie. motorbike = 2 if you wear a helmet).

What would I love to see?
1) Crash test results. A shame to do it but it needs to be done. I am sure it would blow away any motorbike and maybe even beat some small cars.
2) Mileage with air conditioning or heat on. You can get creative with cooling to keep consumption down.
3) Built in solar panels. Wait until they get light, cheap and flexible (ie. nanosolar) then put them on.
4) Better batteries. There are such major advances being made in battery weight and life cycle that it should be up to a 250 mile range (all electric) in 3-4 years.

Final conclusion: For $15,000.00 US I'll take one.

Tim: Nice evaluation...you make some interesting assumption and points.

Jan Jensen: interesting evaluation,you make a whole bunch of assumptions...with no real points or even quality. you have no idea of powertrain, layout etc...

It looks like: plenty of room for 2. space for cargo (i.e. groceries).
It looks fairly larged size, which is good, instead of the micro crap enviros think we need. Safety has alot to do with preception. I preceive it to have good safety...certainly good visiblity to others. (ask a motorcyclist about "being seen").

just some thoughts.

I would like to see the whole shebang and then make a choice. At least if this comes out, people will have a choice.

billy

I saw this thing and their crew at an automotive proving ground in the southwest. Can't say which one as it might give me away. It's bigger than you think and has a long trunk, I think you could put a big ladder in there or something. They really had their sh*t together.

For vehicles to realize the best mileage possible, no matter what the fuel, they need to be completely rethought, like this vehicle. We need to look at airplane, boat and submarine design to cut down on wind resistance.

All the flaming and negative attitudes are going to do is get us stuck in the rut of stagnant design that already exists.

Form follows function, keeping up with the Jones's feeds the big three's scheme,It's not going to be cheap or safe to save the world from man,some in this world would have you walk to work if they had their way.Count your blessings and if you can support these new technologies.

How many previous posters actually went to Apteramotors.com to read up on this trike before posting all their negative comments? This vehicle (if they can sell it under $20K will definitely be worth it. It seats two (side by side not one in back) and has enough storage space for a surf board, a golf bag, groceries, etc. Winter months might be a problem but I would keep my old car for those days with lots of snow. Compare this to the Sparrow (now the NmG) which is all electric but still costs more per mile than the Aptera, seats only one, can only travel about 30 miles per charge and costs $25K!

When I saw the Aptera car my first reaction was wow, I want one! It looks sweet. I like reading about all the cool new idea cars that will give us an alternative choice from the gas hogs the big companies want us to buy. But it seems like most of these super gas misers are one or two seaters. I would love to see a four seater aptera and sacrifice 100mpg. Then I could buy one to use as a second car. I have kids and there is no way I can buy a car that only seats two. There is only a small market for two seaters. Making a four seater would put it in competition with the Civic, Focus, Aveo etc.

I hope the manufacturer is going to make the rear tire a "run-flat" type. I didn't see any info on a spare tire. I've owned a trike (harley) in the past and I can tell from experience that the tire running down the middle of the road will be the tire that picks up debris (flat-tire city). There is a reason you see smart cyclists riding in the tire path of the motor vehicles. Its to avoid the road debris (nails, sharp scrap metals, oil patches, etc...). Other than that minor thought, I'll be curous to see more about this vehicle.

As far as costs are concerned...the manufacturer should first concentrate on getting this trike to market as cheaply as possible. Since it is classified as a "motorcycle", forgo the automotive safety features. This would greatly cut initial production costs. Once volume production cuts the costs more, then and only then, start to introduce the safety features.

An example to follow is look at how the imports got a toehold in the U.S. market....economical barebone vehicles that were cheap to produce and sell. And yes, they were death traps (I once owned a used '72 Honda 600Z).

This manufacturer has the luxury of NOT having the "import" stigma that Honda, Toyota, etc... had to overcome in the 60's and 70's. Walmart is another example. Yes, a lot to their product comes from China and is of questionable quality. Its the $ numbers that the average public pays attention to. (P.S. Walmart prices are NOT really cheap. They just do a magnifcent job of making you THINK they have the lowest prices...kudos to their marketing department).

A lightweight 3 wheeled vehicle will never be able to compete with a 4 wheeled heavily weighted vehicle when it comes to safety, unless there is some technology I'm not currently aware of. The Big Boy manufacturers know that weight is the biggest deterent to high mileage. If they could come up with a safe super lightweight vehicle (less than 1400#) cheaply, they would. Safety features add weight. Weight reduces mileage.

The success of getting the public to buy this vehicle is to concentrate it as a "nearly" all-weather motorcycle for economical daily commutes to and from work that can be used in rainy and cold (not snowy) weather and is easy to park in urban spaces. That should cover about 85% of the weather in the snowy northern states.

Again, ECONOMICS, will be the selling point. Economical to build, buy, and operate (K.I.S.S.).

Don't get stuck in the minutia on this one...

It's not this particular car or company that's important. It's the underlying technology that's exciting.

Utilizing hydraulics to collect energy from braking to be reused to accelerate is awesome.

Just think of the energy savings that would result from collecting the energy of every auto in the US starting and stopping for one day.

Truly a paradigm shift is imminent.

Have you seen video of the early Aptera prototype?

http://www.myspace.com/theaptera

Dude, this car is going to turn hed. Imagine showing up in Miami Beach with this dream car. The Ferrari owners will be green with envy. You will be a big hit,

I love this car. I want to use it in a futuristic music video that will air on MTV. Somebody call me.

917-916-6844

If we all allowed to travel free via a bird or fish wouldn't you agree?

Birds or fish has a perfect aerodynamic and so as the Aptera Motors. Please try not to classify these as futuristic. Birds and fish are looks futuristic too but its actually an ancient design. I designed a road recumbents' shell to look like a fish with aileron similar to aircraft.

Diesel powered is like driving a brown sugar versus a refine white sugar. Brown sugar has better taste than the refine one. Diesel could convert to bio-diesel using used Frenchfries oil. Just pour in a petroleum additives plus used oil and go.

The naysayers on this thread have simply been brain washed by Detroit. They have you believing it's quite logical to move a 150 pound person around using 8,000 pounds of steel with the aerodynamics of a brick. 9-passenger SUVs spend most of their time on the road with just one person inside and their 4x4 capability is never engaged. Detroit has gotten us to purchase vehicles because of features we will only use 10% of the time, if that.

In 100 years, which will be more laughable, this vehicle or the big iron box you have now?

There are millions of motorcycles on the road that only seat one or two people. There are millions more cars that seat two people. My motorcycle doesn't have seat belts or a roll cage or any of the stuff that belongs in your living room, not your vehicle. My Harley cost $20,000, weighs 800 pounds and I'm lucky to get 40mpg. If you don't think what Aptera is doing is great and long overdue, you're just not paying attention.

It's just plain physics. If a vehicle is not lightweight or aerodynamic, it's going to take a lot more energy to move it. No new fangled powertrain is going to overcome this fact. It will soon be quite evident that hydrogen and fuel cells are completely impractical. An Altera-type vehicle, running on biodiesel will be about as clean and efficient as we will get for the next 50-100 years.

Wow! I cant believe you used a harley as an example for motorcycles. $20K for a m/c that does less than 40MPG.

A better example would have been a 250cc Ninja (new ones cost 3,500) with REAL MPG around 65-70. A lot faster than any economy car.

Couple of things this Fish wins over a motorcycle are:

A shell that protects its passengers(from weather, and bugs), as well as offering room for groceries.

Greater visibility; now drivers cant claim they "didnt see the motorist".

and.. I cant really think of anything else.

On the downside:

This thing is slow compared to that 250cc Motorcycle. hey, people still drive Geo's.

With its larger body, you maneuver similar to a car (probably same as a harley.. haha JK) cant split lanes (for CA drivers). This means you are stuck in traffic wasting fuel.

In a way, this is a motorcycle trapped in a car's body. Perhaps CA freeways are not what its meant for, but, it will fill a certain niche in this transportation biz.

The idea of a 3 wheeled car is not that radical. In the uk they have built a car for years called the reliant robin which has one wheel in the front which both runs the drive train and steers. In the 50's and 60's here there were a number of trials of 3 wheeled cars in the united states. Bucky Fuller built a number of them, they just never caught on. The impacts in terms of effecency are obvious though. Rubber on concrete is not that effecient. The less rubber you have touching pavement the better.

Personall I just deposited my $500 for a place in line. I love it. 2 + 1 Passenger space, AC, Airpags and Space to shop what more do you need.

I also just put down my deposit for an Aptera. I've been watching this for over a year and I'm ecstatic that it's going into production. I will be keeping my old car (which wouldn't sell for more than $4k at this point anyway) for Chicago winters and larger cargo needs. I realize most people can't afford to keep a second "utility" car, but that's what I'll be doing quite happily.

This vehicle is headed exactly in the direction needed to make America energy independent again. None of the established US automakers have proposed anything near this efficient. When they first saw the Aptera they may well have wet their pants.

Three cheers for the team at Aptera... from an American.

As a designer, I applaud their efforts. The world is changing and Detroit is dead. Snow could be a problem because of traction with only one driven wheel and its low weight but, once the streets are plowed, It's still a more efficient solution than a motorcycle. I especially like their careful attention to details such as the positive gas pedal and the negative brake pedal, that's something else. They've even have a modern green logo, doors that open at a 45 degree angle, cameras instead of unaerodynamic mirrors, and the body seems to be formed of a composite formulated from small airplane aerodynamics. We all should try to accept their 21st century solution to our transportation needs no matter what we've gotten used to or been marketed to by the oil-rich countries and propagandists. The Aptera is a quality piece of engineering. They will not go unnoticed. I want one.

Why are fuel efficient cars always ugly? Just stop trying to be futuristic and more people will buy them.

Uh, you are looking at the OLD prototype and not the latest version. Check around to see how it has progressed and improved...a ton.

Ugly is only an opinion. The mini is relatively fuel efficient, not pretty in my eyes, but not ugly either.

Post the new shots and info and get with the program

Ha, some interesting comments. I daresay the naysayers (many of whom call themselves card-carrying environmentalists...ahem) have the typically emotional response of a liberal blog. Conversely, the measured defensible responses that sound like engineers are the ones you typically see supporting conservative postions.

Isn't it ironic, don't you think? ;-)

(PS...cardcarrying conservative aerospace engineer here, who drives an Insight and gets 60+ mpg)

Greg

About SUVs: They need to be out of the roads, and the sooner, the better. They cause much trouble presently (such as parking in a compact space and often blocking TWO compact spaces, blocking your view while on the road etc), or will cause much more trouble for our future (they're killing our environment, needless to say).

So, I would be extremely sad, if SUVs also prevent people from buying cars like this one, being scared to be ran over by an SUV or a humongous truck.

If everyone were driving cars like this one, then the overall damages in crashes would also go down!

IMO, if you expect that SUV and truck drivers will come to their senses on their own, and switch to something that actually makes sense to drive, you're delusional. There should be severe annual taxes for the owners of such monsters, for all the hassle and damage that they cause. I'd say targeting their precious money is the only way to make such a driver do something logical. Moreover, all that money can be used for green-research! (in an ideal world, that is)

Obviously, if you NEED to drive an SUV or a truck for a real reason, such as actually needing to drive off-road for your job, or carrying bulky and heavy load on a regular basis, and can document this, then you'd be tax exempt or would get a tax-relief of some sort. Otherwise, pay through the nose, if you WANT to, but not NEED to drive such a monster.

rear view mirrors .... please remember micro digital cameras with macro lenses can give the potential of no blind spots.... paired with organo transistorised flexible substrate displays with power consumption in the range of miliwatts....
need I say more.... :)

I get 70-80+ on the highway in my 2001 Honda insight depending on speed and driving condition. I average 58 miles per gallon. I commute 150+ miles per day....I am a software quality engineer.

I REALLY LIKE this first generation vechile. I'd be interested in putting this to the test. I belive it is very practical and can even make money FOR you if you add a body wrap. Yes, I also drive and own motorcycles as well. If these folks get their production up and running, I'd like to have one immediately over here in Texas.

I agree with some of the posters that the car looks much too strange to achieve wide acceptance. The American car buying public, in general, aren't ready for something as radical as this. For a start, they perceive no threat or problem with how they're doing things at the present time. SUV's are OK and there is plenty of fuel to run them. The auto industry has a long history of manipulating the public mind to sell them features they don't need and additionally, convincing them that a vehicle is "NEW" when its actually exactly the same as last years model but different bodywork. The American car industry is languishing in a mud hole, bogged up to the axles, and he situation is entirely of their own making. The EV-1 was the only car to be manufactured in the US that had any chance of pulling them out of the ditch and they axed that to mollify the oil industry. So it'll be up to the little guy to break through with the designs and vehicles we'll need over the next twenty years and the lumbering behemoths of GM and Ford will play catch-up while trying to re-package their ghastly automotive flotsam to try and compete. Either that or buy up the successful startups and kill them. Streetcar anyone?

As for the question: "Who would buy one?"

*raises hand*

Please read all the specs before commenting. The car is bigger and safer than you think.

I love this car and I want one. Regarding saftey, check out the web site; it's really not that hard to navigate provided you have an attention span longer than that of a five year old. Also, I am sure it is safer than my husband's motorcycle and his parents' roadster. Regarding capacity, it can fit 15 bags of groceries in the trunk, or two surf boards. It seats two adults in front and one small person (e.g. child) in the back, which makes it more practical than a motorcycle or a roadster.

It looks different. Different is good. Different is necessary to acheive certain goals. Anyway, why do you want a car that looks like every other car. One of the big problems with current car designs is their poor aerodynamics. A car shaped like a brick is never going to get the kind of specs that this one has.

We are in the process of looking at one, my neighbor just put her deposit down on one. Our concerns are:

top speed (southern california hwy)
insurance
financing

but for a commuter vehicle here in San Diego, it is perfect.

I have a motorcycle, and get around 40 mpg with it (BMW 1150GS, sweet bike). But when the rain is out, or it gets a tad bit chilly, or the wife wants to commute without "helmet head" we then commute in a Toyota Landcruiser, and it sucks gas like a hog. AND the cost of a barrel of oil just hit $90.00 a barrel folks! our gas just shot up to 3.25 a gallon for the cheap stuff, and it isn't done yet. If we can get the three questions above answered to our satisfaction, they can consider another one sold. We are going down to their plant and see what it is like in person, but I suspect that we will end up with one in our driveway. One more thing to think about...

How many Americans have to die for a barrel of oil? How may Iraqi's? and regardless of their excuses, that is why we are in Iraq. (My opinion)

The "future" would never change, if we listen to the skeptics! (*Like Carlos! The 3rd comment above, who never invented a thing, but, calls this "silly" when it's an actual achievement! Plus, they can change it as they work out the kinks, if any!) It's "FUN" to see the actual concept become a working, tangible, "REAL THING"! No mirrors necessary, as the rear cameras work fine and the license plates can be placed several places in the back. It's just hard to explain where, but if you see where, then you'll smile and say; "Ohhhhh, I see"! Don't worry about that stuff and remember this; It's better to dream a dream that can change the world for the better, than to condemn the dreams of others who make their's reality! Especially, if it's for the good of society, not for it's destruction! There's another fun vehicle to check out too and you may like that one better. Look on YouTube and type in: " Carver "! That's all! But watch "ALL" the videos about it. You can check out the Aptera on there too and there's many more cars to check out too! So, give these guys a break. They make an interesting car! It "DOES" work! Maybe not in deep snow, lol, but it works well in many other areas. If you add folding wings on top, maybe it could fly! lol Just kidding. But, we were thinking of buying one of these. My husband wants the Carver though. Don't give up on dreams. Have many! Dream simple, or dream BIG! Get thinking and change things for the better of us all. I bet you could think of something wild and fun too! Draw it! Show it! That's how things get better! Just, don't give up so easily and remember!!!, DO NOT condemn others for their dreams when they turn out like this wonderful thing!!!

I live in Kentucky, and although I have a few concerns, I will be reserving a Typ-1e (total electric version) in the near future.

This vehicle seats 2+1, which simply means two adults side-by-side, and a small person (child) behind them. I'd liken this to the "jump seats" in some extended cab pick-up trucks, as far as space is concerned. The cargo capacity appears to be quite good, and I love the interior design asthetic. It's uncluttered, modern, yet somehow not cold or uninviting. True, the exterior is a bit radical in appearence, but then the 230mpg fuel rating is redical as well. ;)

I will be using this vehicle as my daily driver. I commute approximately 40 miles round-trip into downtown Louisville, all by my lonesome. My current Focus gets respectible gas milage for a non-hybrid, but I just cannot justify its continued usage when a viable and low-cost option is available (~$27k). Now to look into those personal wind turbines... but I digress.

I do have my concerns. Given that my location is not in say, California, New York, Illinois, or Washington, then I do have concerns when it comes to servicing my Typ-1e. Delivery is another concern given these very same reasons. It will be interesting to see how Aptera will handle customers like myself who do not reside in LA, NYC, Chicago, or Seattle. Kentucky, despite its natural beauty, is usually not very high up on the list when it comes to intial product launch locales. :( Maybe they will have a certified mechanics program? (j/k, well sort of...)

I for one would still love to hear more about the details. The subtle details and nuances that will allow me to make the vehicle truely my own. For example, it white the only exterior color available? Is the only interior color pallatte the tan and mustard beige one that they show? How about an electric blue (pun intended) and a white and kelly green interior (think of most cartoon pictures of the Earth)? Will this vehicle be able to tow anything- like a bike rack? Or will Yakima be able to outfit my Typ-1e with a roof rack for my mountain bike?

I for one think Aptera has done an excellent job. They strove to create something new and their aspirations have become reality. What I appreciate is that the $500 deposit is fully refundable. If for some reason I should change my mind at any time (up to signing the purchase agreement in 10/08), I can bail and Aptera returns my $500.

So in the end, the decision will be in the hands of the consumer. The Aptera to me is just one more option in a growing list of choices. If its design is too redical or too limited for your tastes, then that is your peroggative. The really great thing is that we are beginning to see a new crop of choices from new manufacturers, and IMHO, more choice is always healthy for competition, and is hopefully healthy for our planet as well.

(Please forgive me for any typos, MS Vista is being rather slow and refusing to open Word '07)

The vehicle is of great interest to many. However, should you give a $500.00 deposit to a start-up company that later files Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 you might find that you're deposit is not going to be refunded. Buyer beware.

The vehicle is of great interest to many. However, should you give a $500.00 deposit to a start-up company that later files Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 you might find that you're deposit is not going to be refunded. Buyer beware.

Seeing as they have 10s of million in venture financing, I'm not too worried about my piddly $500.

Go Aptera!

Perhaps you were an investor in Enron. They had hundreds of millions. Buyer beware.

The Aptera reservation page states that the $500 reservation fee will be held in escrow, separate from Aptera and is refundable at any time. Maybe not as risky as others claim.

Perhaps you were an investor in Enron. They had hundreds of millions. Buyer beware.

Your persistence on this red herring makes me suspect your motives.

The Aptera is fantastic and gorgeous, and I wish them all the best.

The Aptera meets 90% of my travel needs, for the rest I'll keep my diesel car on standby. We all have to start thinking about air polution and all the problems connected with oil.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Early Porsches were criticized, now look at their values. I've had several Porschesnow I think the Aptera is beautiful

I love it, just wish they'd open the ordering up to the rest of the country, I'd put my $500 down in a minute.

The Aptera meets 90% of my travel needs, for the rest I'll keep my diesel car on standby. We all have to start thinking about air polution and all the problems connected with oil.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Early Porsches were criticized, now look at their values. I've had several Porschesnow I think the Aptera is beautiful

I love it, just wish they'd open the ordering up to the rest of the country, I'd put my $500 down in a minute.

Barely got into reading some of the comments before I got into comments that obviously came from people who knew nothing except they had seen a picture of this.
Yes, it has a trunk
Yes, it uses a camera to see out the rear.
Yes, it's a motorcycle and is licensed as such.

No, I don't want to have to deal with semi's either in this or in my present car.
No, I don't need 4 seats.
No, I don't relish the idea of driving on my roads in this at present as there are so many rude drivers who would make life miserable for me.

Yes, when all the gas is gone, the semis are history and SUV is a bad dream, I'll be in 7th heaven in one of these.

Like the idea. Neat.

If you need something that leaves rubber and costs an arm and a leg to drive, this ain't it, bubba.

Bring it on.

This is a delightful model T for the future.

I think this is a great beginning,230 mpg is a great feat considering the monstrocity gas guzzling Suv's on the road today.
The same vehicals that make the highways so unsafe if gradually replaced with the same like vehicals would improve highway safety.
Today there is such a wide gap in the weight of passenger vehicals that makes it impossible for everyone to remain relatively safe from each other.
Only when those air riding tanks are removed from the highways and roads will we see some improvements in safety areas.
Yes one can fit two 7 foot surfboards in the trunk of this car,and one day I beleive we will become more efficiant and will be driving on a single magneto wheel that would make it virtually impossible to flip on it's own,when mounted in the centre,it would retain little resistance,as it would have no moving parts in contact with the wheel at all.
Sure some say it looks furistic when it compares to other car/bike designs,but the bais indeed is on nature,and likewise we know the powering force in the universe as far as movement goes comes from gravity,if we continue to research and develop those movements then indeed we could very well become self efficiant,making our transportation modes weigh less will cut back on the destruction of the highway maitenance costs,and should be reflected in huge savings via taxes,government would have to reduce the local taxes on vehicals where applicapable,because there would be no arguement of need.
Finally the companies and bussinesses that have been making a fortune off the rest of the cars paying for new roads,will have to start footing the bill.

Funny, ugly and pretty is in the eyes of the beholder. Reminds me of the cockpit of a small plane.
Huge SUVs in my mind meet the ugly definition. Nobody in their right mind needs one. So why are so many on the roads. No, probably don't want to know.
I'd love one to commute in (88 miles a day). Get me out of the occasional weather. Neat idea.

Now when do they come to where I live and how do I get repairs done? Always a problem.

Well? What happened with her? I did send my $500. About a week or two ago, I was sent an email saying they were refunding the 500. It did show back up on my credit card statement. Just looking around to see what was up.

AHA ill stick to my SUV and survive crashes thank you very much...

AHA ill stick to my SUV and survive crashes thank you very much...

Trolling hippies, dummkopf?

First of all, let me say, I love the car. The aerodynamics are what they should be. If you look at the shape of a raindrop you can see that nature has already given us an aerodynamic shape as close to perfect as possible. We can thank wind resistance coupled with surface tension of water for creating the natural aerodynamic shape. And this car appears to have successfully copied the shape of a raindrop.

However, the car's shape is also similar to a wing's cross section. Therefore, for optimum aerodynamic efficiency, possibly the height of the rear wheel should be automatically varied to adjust the body's angle of attack due to its winglike shape to ensure neutral or perhaps slightly positive lift. This could be controlled through a feedback circuit such that power required to maintain the road speed is minimized by finding a happy medium where the rolling resistance of the tires is reduced at a slight cost in induced wind resistance. Airplane pilots do this automatically except they maintain zero rolling resistance and adjust angle of attack to create either level flight, climbs or descents (flying).

Also, recently I heard rumors that the Aptera's diesel would be replaced by a small gasoline engine because such small diesels could not be made compliant with california emissions standards. I propose that the ultra small diesel engines, such as the ones used in the Aptera be allowed to operate on any roads, not only in California, if using biodiesel. It's well known that BD is carbon neutral. Perhaps even all diesel engines, regardless of their size or absolute quantity of emissions should be completely exempt from emissions laws when using bio diesel since they consume no fossil fuels whatsoever.

"AHA ill stick to my SUV and survive crashes thank you very much..."

The defense rests, as long as the SUV doesn't meet a tank bigger than it, people like this will be on the roads. When the gas is gone, SUVs will be parked in their yards and going nowhere.

You can't crash if you can't get fuel to drive sir.

Some people will remain clueless as to how they appear forever.

Great comments.

too bad the photos above are not the latest and greatest version.

check it out driving! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfv7wMXarig

looks smashing!

W

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!

possibly the height of the rear wheel should be automatically varied to adjust the body's angle of attack due to its winglike shape to ensure neutral or perhaps slightly positive lift.

No, you want negative lift, not positive. You want the car to press harder on the ground as the speed rises, not try to get airborne.

That said, my reaction to this car is that it's a good answer to the wrong question. If you go to their site, you find that their handwaved mileage numbers are [cough] artificial, and artificially high. They mention - almost as an afterthought - that the real mileage over distance is expected to be on the order of 100+, not 200+.

The question they're asking is "how do we produce personal transportation that is like today's, but cheaper to operate".

The right question, though, is: "how do we move people from place to place on demand at the lowest possible total cost?"

The right answer to that question is going to be a mix of terabit internet to reduce the need for physical travel, HPVs in dedicated lanes, powered light/fragile vehicles of various capacities in dedicated lanes for carrying multiple people and/or cargo, and powered mass transit vehicles in dedicated lanes for heavy cargo and/or long distances.

Comments above disparaging the safety of this vehicle are well intentioned, and certainly going from a suburban to an Aptera would be not only a leap, but a leap of faith. But here's another perspective:
As a 65-year old ex-Navy fighter pilot and present Goldwing & sportbike rider who's within 5 years of hanging up his leathers, this "car" (I know it's a motorcycle, legally) is very exciting and probably will be my next "bike".
And considering it costs only about $7500 more than a new 'Wing, the cost is more than reasonable.
It's great- not for everyone, to be sure, but- still it looks like fun- a real "recreational vehicle"!

That said, my reaction to this car is that it's a good answer to the wrong question. If you go to their site, you find that their handwaved mileage numbers are [cough] artificial, and artificially high. They mention - almost as an afterthought - that the real mileage over distance is expected to be on the order of 100+, not 200+.

One important fact that you bothered to leave out in your criticism of the fuel milage is that is is based on a a 350-400 mile trip! there is still no other car available that can go that distance and still get 130mpg. The 300 mpg is ased on a communter distance of 3 times that of an average daily commute. This projection is astounding. I have a 2500 gmc diesel and the only reason I have that is to pull a boat. I am looking into placing a downpayment for one of these as soon as a few questions are answered. It is time that the public truely accept radical ideas that will not only make us more energy independent but goes a long way in preserving the environment.

The videos on YouTube are dramatic showing an 18 wheeler pass the prototype and nothing happens. Because the vehicle has such a low drag coefficient you would expect nothing less. The vehicle has crumple zones just like any other vehicle to pass safety tests.

Remember what we were shown the car of the future to look like many years ago? This looks like the car of the future.

As some have said previously it is a two seater (with room for a small child behind and between the two seats) with solar powered environmental controls and a rear camera. For those that have not seen the website at aptera.com, check it out, as well as videos on YouTube, and various articles on the car published on the web.

This car is AMAZING.... It has everything to succeed, I'm really looking forward to see the first production models to come out in October.... I can already imagine all the Youtube videos...

Anyways, for the bunch of ignorants that criticize things that had no reason to be criticized, have a look on www.aptera.com.

I WANT ONE...

Anty

The Aptera is the 'killer app' that will revolutionize the world of transportation. Your SUV is yesterdays dinosaur and if they have to be outlawed so Apteras can be safer - GOOD.

This is where we stand up to the Middle East and big oil and show them how America can compete. It's time. Let's get behind efficiency, responsibility for our environment and make our country great through engineering and innovation.

Do you think Toyota and Honda are not watching?

Ah, folks, don't get carried away. A pretty shell does not make a car.

There are many glitches in this concept:

(1) How do they cool an engine is the car is so streamlined? Radiator intakes have a lot of drag.

(2) What is the actual mileage, rather than their rather unrepresentative numbers? Just for comparison, What are the numbers on the EPA cycle?

(3) What happens to the car when it goes down a bumpy road? From the looks of the front wheels, it's unlikely they would come out of a three inch deep pothole.

(4) Is it directionally stable? A driven center-mounted rear wheel geometry does not look intrinsically stable.

(5) How comfortable is it? Does it have heating and AC?

... and many more questions about reliability of a belt-driven wheel, the efficacy of wiping rain off that windshield, the sturdyness and travel of the suspension, ...

Folks, unless you are going to go to their web site and read up on the vehicle, then keep your uninformed mouths closed and your minds open.
It's a two-seat vehicle that can fit two adults and a child. It can fit a full set of golf clubs in the trunk. It cools the engine just fine, when it needs to use it at all. It has a solar panel on the top of it that provides power to the three-zone environmental system that keeps the car cool even when it's turned off so you always enter a comfortable vehicle.
They have EXCEEDED the safety standards for vehicles, even though the only needed to meet the standards for a motorcycle.
They are smart people making this car. Smarter than many of us, I'm sure. They've thought of all of this and so much more than any of you (or I) ever will.
Go to the site.
Read about it.
Don't be a hater towards a company that is trying to make a difference in the world. They've put a lot on the line to provide a REALISTIC, fuel efficient vehicle. They deserve your support for this effort. And yes, I have my pre-order in already.

Aptera has released an update on it’s upcoming 300 Mpg car. This car really approaches transportation from a very different vantage than does the rest of the auto industry. This car is slated to sell for $30,000 USD, and offers room for two. Here is a brief overview of the update ...

Talkback: http://dataland.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/apteras-sub-30k-300-mpg-car-will-be-here-in-2009/

They used to sell a car in Grand Rapids, Mi. I do not recall the name of it but is was based on the cockpit of the BD5 Micro aircraft and used a Honda Motorcycle drive train you sat in tandem with few creature comforts and the safety of a motorcycle. This concept looks far more comfortable and it even has a navigation system as well as air. It appears to be far more comfortable and who needs a 2 ton lead sled to get around in. We can expect the price of gas will continue to go up so this vehicle makes a lot of since I give them a lot of credit for being forward thinkers.

Aptera Update! The folks over at Popular Mechanics were able to finagle an exclusive test drive and interview of the upcoming Aptera Typ-1. For those uninitiated, the Aptera Typ-1 is an all-electric plug in vehicle coming to market in 2009 for under $30,000. Sometime thereafter, Aptera plans to market the Typ-2, a 300 MPG gasoline hybrid which shares the Typ-1’s body and features. The more I keep up with this car, the more I believe this is the first real re-thinking of the automobile since its inception. I know this sounds a little over the top, but ...

Crosstalk: http://dataland.wordpress.com/2007/12/23/aptera-video/

Hello out there -

Let me say this - I am a Reagan Conservative, NRA member, practicing Roman Catholic father of seven children and married to the same wonderful woman for 16 years. In short, I am the living, breathing nightmare of every environmentalist and liberal. I WOULD BUY ONE OF THESE. It is the same money as a good motorcycle, it has decent range, it appears to be safer by design, and it is economical. What's not to like about it? Being conservative means being logical and having common sense, and common sense dictates that this is a good deal. Is it green? Not as much as the environmentalists would like to think. Where does the plastic come from? Where does the energy to recycle the materials come from? Where does the electricity come from? It will make them feel good, and it will save me money in the long run. Done deal. Pass the steak and potatoes. :-)

Just finished viewing the Popular Mechanics test drive and visited the Web site for Aptera. Great stuff. I remember 30+ years ago looking at a three wheeled kit car that used a VW Bug front suspension and motorcycle rear half. Great mileage and very aerodymamic but I had also driven one of the Iseta front door models (in the winter in the snow) -- not a good time. I now live in Florida where the sun shines and the biggest hill is Mt Trashmore. I am very ready for an electric, aerodynamic small vehicle and I am on the list for the Mercedes Smart. Anyone living in the flatter, sunnier southern places should consider such a vehicle. Once the Altera gets into production It could be my next car. By the time the Altera is in full production regular gas could be over $5.00 per gallon causing Hummer owners to trade their gas gluttony for green envy.

Captain Roger

I stand for maximizing individual liberty, but that does not mean anarchy. Most people chose to live in a society, therefore one must accept curtailments that protect other's liberty as much as mine.

AMAZING...What a car.....I just had to open a fan club for this new and very coooool auto......Feel FREE to join!!!
..........the Gator
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ApterasSuperMPGElectricTyp-1e

Wow. American ingenuity comes through to lead the world in free thinking and creativity. This will be one piece of a great future where we are self supportive - not taking from the environment or fighting for resources. Bring on the backsit critics and the big SUV drivers who will be paying big bucks in the near future under various laws that tax "hogs".

Funny, all the naysayers. What are You doing to prepare for hyper-expensive fuel? I've tried motorcycles, drive an old (recycled) car that gets 30mpg, experimented with bicycle + bus travel (rotten in winter rain!), and something like this is the best current option. I've seen plans for many variants, covered bicycles & golf carts etc., and this one combines aircraft-quality safety with aircraft-quality design. Keep griping, you'll have to do Something when gas is $14 a gallon. Hold your nose. Buy an Aptera.

All of you who don't like this car - give 'em a break, and there is something wrong in your head; this is a great innovation.

Well, Mini Cooper started from a go-cart. They had the right idea and today they still make them.

VW also had the right idea in the 30's and they still make them today. This idea was great an air-cooled engine...why not make them 100% electric and make the rear passenger seat enclosed with levels of batteries and solar panels on the top.

This car design is strange. Can you imagine going on the freeways in Los Angeles hitting all those potholes. You would need 4 wheels for stability if the rear wheels hit a pothole. The body design being airo dynamic is good but I would feel safer riding on 4 wheels. Its just like the 3 wheel cars in the 1960 they did not stay long in production. A 4 wheel makes a car more stable.

I've been a Mini Cooper driver since 2003 you can really feel those potholes for sure on a LA freeway. The pothole city of the world it feels when you drive a mini cooper.

The future, I think will be more toward Maglev driving the wheels of cars. Like the japanese rail system. The whole idea was discovered back on the 1970's and was used on machinery in Semiconductor industry in the 1980's.

Maglev trains
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail

Some people keep refering to it as a car. It is not a car. Also the last time I checked, NHTSA/dot has not approved cameras and video screens as a replacment for mirrors. Even motorcycles require at least one real mirror. In most states you will be required to where a helmet. Full leathers are optional. Leather seats are not an option.

I am appalled at the comments bashing this automobile, how we take for granted the ingenuity and creativity of others. I can't wait for these things to go into mass production, beautiful, cool, the future!

The Aptera is only for sale in California and helmets are not required for enclosed three-wheel motor vehicles greater than 7 feet long, 4 feet wide and weigh more than 900 pounds.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27803.htm

Go to popular mechanics site and view the piece on this car. Its got a lot of safety features built into it. Including a rollbar.

For a commuter car it looks great. Needs to be black though :)

I stumbled across some information on Aptera just a few days ago. Since then I have been reading everything googleable on the topic of this vehicle, which is how I found this blog site.As always, several people looking at the same pictures see so many different things, from ugly to beautiful, impractical to saving grace, as well as the opinionated with enough information to be dangerous and ignorant to the well read with more informed opinions, pro and con. Regardless of each individuals perception of this initial product, the concept is here, alive and well. A working, high mileage vehicle, capable of transporting one or two adults to work, shopping, on errands around town, in safety and comfort with little or no fossil fuel consumption. After all, isn't that what the next step in the evolution of transportation is looking for?A certain number of people would buy this vehicle no matter what the cost, within reason, or no matter what the look, as long as it is again reasonable, but the true success is in sustaining the sales and service of this new concept in people movers at a reasonable price and with intergrity and honesty at the sales and service levels. Back to basics. Filling the need at what is perceived to be a price that adds value to someones life. If each innovation through history wasn't perceived by the public as to have value, the price being equal or less than what the item it is replacing, then that innovation will fail. It's that simple. If we look at our actual driving habits we seldom find ourselves more than 100 miles traveled in a day, communting or around town shopping and other needs. This vehicle would do these chores easily without touching a drop of liquid fuel. A full recharge costing no more than $2 and normally much less.
For example, I commute 44 miles a day using about $4 in gas in my 1999 Saturn. It is rare that I have a passanger and the Saturn topping 150 miles in a day is even a greater oddity. My savings in gas alone would go far in making a payment on the Aptera. This is how this vehicle will be judged, against more traditional gas or hybreds being produced. Not how green is green or how high is up. If your fuel savings today will offset a good portion of the cost, how much more of the cost will it offset in the near future with gas prices going ever so much higher seemingly with each fill up.My background is sales and sales training and I would only love to have the opportunity to work with this company to establish their reputation in the personal transportation market place as an honest value for the dollar, with honesty and intergrity which is sorely missing in this particular market segment.If they are a success financially, this would give them the ability to continue the development and refinement of these and other vehicles in the future, a true competitor to the big names with the limited choices we now have when it comes to our transportation dollar. For the last 100 years, they have only kept us running to the gas station for more high cost fuels and service and I don't see them making this kind of innovative leap away from the pumps any time in the near future.
All I ask of the nay sayers is to read up on the product and get some facts before you pass final judgement on this product. It may look different but so does a light bulb next to a candle. I believe most of Edisons nay sayers told him he was crazy and it would never work. Wilbur and Orvilles invention looked nothing like what we fly in today but it was the first step in the right direction.
Just give it a fair shot.

I drive from Roxboro, NC to Raleigh, NC each day to go to work. For me that's around 100 miles each day. Although I like the power of my V6 Honda Accord, I can no longer justify the cost of gas for it. Everytime I spend 40 dollars to fill the tank I cringe! At best, I spend about 240 dollars a month in gas. And thats just for gas to go back and forth to work! If they sold this vehical in my area I would definitely consider purchasing one. The money I spend on maitenance and gas could be spent towards purchasing this vehicle.

There are a few good features and plenty of room for improvement on this vehicle. I wish the people at Aptera all the luck in the future.

I love the look and just may have one when they come out, its very nice looking , I would be proud to have one in my drive

Crash Testing Info from Aptera's Web Site

Note: On 01/04/2008 the Italian media announced that Aptera will be sold in Italy by year-end 2008. Source: www.repubblica.it

Crash Testing
----------------------
Aptera has been working quietly with CD-Adapco and ABAQUS for several months, conducting frontal offset crash test simulations. Using these incredibly powerful tools, we are continually refining and testing our vehicles in software, performing numerous 'virtual crashes' on computers. Our next step is to corroborate the data with live crash tests.

It is a much faster, and more efficient process, to use software analysis in addition to physical crash tests. We create a spectrum of virtual conditions, so that we may test the Typ-1 in every real-world environment. The Typ-1 is performing beautifully in the simulations, and we will soon upload the associated video and pictures to the website. We begin our side-impact phase sometime in the next two months, and we have a high degree of confidence that we'll see similar results.

People before you knock it look at www.aptera.com this car is amazing it exceeds crash standards for cars. The front end in a collision actually goes under the car which takes the impact underneath you not straight at you. The liscense plate issue is the hardest one right now.

Please note that I am in no way an environmentalist and don't even support environmentalis causes but this car will be nice on the wallet in the very least. Well people do your research before knocking this car.
_________________________________________
Member of P.E.T.A. --- People Eating Tasty Animals
You have your beliefs and I have mine!

People before you knock it look at www.aptera.com this car is amazing it exceeds crash standards for cars. The front end in a collision actually goes under the car which takes the impact underneath you not straight at you. The liscense plate issue is the hardest one right now.

Please note that I am in no way an environmentalist and don't even support environmentalis causes but this car will be nice on the wallet in the very least. Well people do your research before knocking this car.
_________________________________________
Member of P.E.T.A. --- People Eating Tasty Animals
You have your beliefs and I have mine!

Fantastic! About time. Cars are getting too heavy with their crash protection and safety features. Motorbikes have none of these and still sell well. This is the best combination. We have the light weight of a bike and the covered weather protection of a car. Since it is a bike, crash protection is not an issue. I would buy one immediately. It will not replace my "car" but will probably get more use.

I'm sure when the cave man first found fire there were a lot of people thought it was evil, but a few wise ones opened their minds and learned to use it. They survived the cold winter and the others died. There will always be doom-sayers about everything new, usually those who are also uninformed.
I think the Aptera is fantastic and I want one now. The all electric would serve all my needs but I would select the model with the on board generator simply because I would drive all over the countryside to show it off.
I am currently spending $240 a month on gas and rarely leave town. With the hybrid model my normal gas consumption would be zero. On the occasion we travel from LA to SFO to see family it would take a little over a gallon of gas rather than the tank of gas used presently and if I decide to lead-foot it, it might actually take two gallons ..... wow, I think I could deal with that.
For those worried about mirrors, sit in your car and look at your rear and side-view mirrors. A complete check takes your eyes off the road three times and still leaves massive blind spots. In the Aptera you see all three views within your field of vision while you're still watching the road! Most people don't use their mirrors anyhow, now they will.
You ride in a roll cage like those designed for race cars. Twice as strong as those required for passenger cars. Ever see a race car crash at 200 mph and the driver walks away? The roll cage is why.
People are worried about parts and repairs, Aptera says they are not going to sell cars in areas until they have parts and repairs for them but think about it, there were no repair shops when Benz started building cars and they've done rather well.
This car is not for everyone and that is fine, as long as I get mine that is all that's important to me.

Hi guys,

Just a word on bike: I drive bikes ... this is more a tri-cycle to me. Not a bike. Close to a car as you have the three contact point with ground minimum required to have balanced object or vehicle ... contratry to a bike.

You drive this like a car. I do not imagine using evasive action of a bike with this : no acceleration ... not better braking power than a bike ... still heavier too. No ability to evade and move between lanes to evade.

Bikes are not for snow and poor under rain ... this is better for protection against element.

But as some of you said ... it is like a plane on wheel ... no novelty or technological breakthrough. Fun to look at though. Not practical. A good university project but not actually practical for real life. They seem to have worked hard on fluid dynamic with low fluid resistance (Fd=1/2 Ro V2CdA) their Cd is 10 times lower than a car due to their plane like shape and low drag.

They should have build a wind like link between the body and the wheel: that would have created some lift release some weoght reducing the rolling friction ... and perhaps they could even have taken off.

I agree with most of you: not the solution. The numbers are there but the implementation is NOT.

People need a car like machine... not a UFO

Hey, I currently own one of these models. This car is AMAZING!!! I get like 3000 mpg with this baby. My average cruising speed is about 160km/h. I fly past everyone one on the highways.
P.S. Buy one of these.

All I can say is WOW. Back in the mid 80s, I was very much interested in building and racing HPV. I was much more interested in solar car racing but SDSU did not have solar car programs so I was stuck with HPV.

After a few years of that, I was hooked. I was a member of the SDSU HPV team that built the Harsh Reality, a two wheeled recumbent faired machine that almost saw 50MPH with ~750W (1Hp).

When I saw the APTERA, You just can not imagine the excitement that I have harbor waiting for a time when I can drop working for a living and just play with cool stuff like this. Unfortunately, a series of event have kept me on the path of thermally stable composite structures as oppose to being a design engineer for companies such as the APTERA MOTORS CO.

For the past 20 years, I have quietly worked as a Manufacturing Engineer/Program Manager for everything from the ECHOSTAR antenna, Air Borne Laser, Airborne Tactical Laser program, SLIC (super lightweight interchangeable carrier), Composite armor for the Crusader fighting vehicle as well as the up-armor kits later base loosely on the same concept for the military's humvee.

My latest claim to fame was the solar panels built for APL on the MESSENGER satellite that have been sending never before seen pictures of Mercury the nearest planet to our sun. These solar panes has to operate in an 11 sun environment (11 times the intensity we see in space around earth's orbit)

Most of the equipment and satellite was hidden behind a ceramic cloth sun shield. The solar panel must be exposed (mainly because they don't work very well in the shade :)

The majority of the fuel you burn in your vehicles is used to push air around your vehicle and then to accelerate and climb hills.

Well, to make up for commuting some of the time on my electric assisted HPV trike. I went out and bought in 2003 one of the first Cadillac CTS. It is a lighter and smaller vehicle than my co-worker's Chrysler Condord. We have made trips from the Central Valley to the Bay ARea in NORCAL numerous times in both his and my vehicle and consistently he realizes 3-5 MPG than I get over the exact same drive. AERODYNAMIC rules efficiency. Top speed as well and well ... he has more of a lead foot than I do.

The Prius is a nice start but it is only a start. I have read comments that composites are strong but not as strong as steel...Not true, it is in the design. For a vehicle to be crash worthy, it must crumple and break to absorb the impact energy. Designed right, it literally can act like an over sized helmet for the occupants.

Designed correctly, foam can be used as structural core for a sandwich concept that also attenuates sound, insulate and also provide crush zone and structure that would help protect the occupants. Have you all looked at how a modern helmet is built? They work very well, they can take a lot of abuse...once. You can always get another helmet or new vehicle and that is what insurance is for.

As an R&D Manager for AASC, I was asked to work on very cool stuff like ICS (integrated Composite Structure) co developed by Novatech Engineering and Applied Aerospace Structures Corporation. This is cutting edge technology for high temperature, light weight, high stiffness and most important very stable.

It was interesting as I have full circle on working on the C-17 transport aircraft that I briefly worked on at McDonnell Douglas in the early 90s and now rebuilding the master and production tooling for the tail cone. I am also working with Northrop Grumman on F35 tooling as well as chasing after 787-8 (stretch version of the 787). Cool stuff, fun stuff but really not the most exciting things.

Last week, an RFQ (request for quote) for a very strange looking tool came across my desk from Novatech Engineering our partner in the new cutting edge tooling... I know I have seen it before and...it was the lower portion of the APTERA...Wow.

I hope that eventually I will end up playing a part of the APTERA's future. Now older (getting older everyday) and hopefully wiser, I hope to perhaps persuade some of you to just look at things like the APTERA with the same point of view but perhaps with a little more information and be truthful to yourself. There is nothing wrong with saying... I just want a big honking truck to haul stuff...The US is still a free country where we do what we want. That's the beauty about freedom.

The problem is our obsession with 4x4, AWD and those type of vehicle that projects an image that may not make sense. These image that we have in our head when we decide what type of cars we buy makes us buy the wrong vehicle. Come on, how many got that 4x4 for that ski trip or hutting trip or just to go off road...my hand is raised (between typing session). Wife and I bought a 2001 Acura MDX when it first came out...We have a big family, the wife work 1/4 mile from home, my son attends school about 2 mile away. Really there is not much fuel to be saved in the daily commute for the MDX but we do put in lots of weekend trips though with our family and extended family. We did go skiing 4 times to the mountains and other trips to the mountain for other activities where the AWD did come in handy. But looking back a minivan would have filled the bill for $20K less and 5-7 more MPG although it would not have looked as cool as the MDX. I am sorry, please be kind when you criticize my choice of vehicle. I am an R&D manager but the R&D group is basically part of the Marketing group where image is everything.

For those who buys into this bigger = safer, 4x4= safer, AWD = safer and would need that where I live...I have calculated the amount of off road and slippery snowy, muddy rocky driving that would have put the AWD MDX ahead of say a van ~ 2.5K miles (awfully low if we just rented bigger vehicle or fly when we go to TAHOE, we would save money) to the total of more than 100K miles on the MDX now.

Fun comes in all sizes and shapes...Efficiency only comes in certain shapes and just the right size.

Well, how I see it is, if we still depend on foreign oil, we will be seeing $6/gal fuel eventually. So, just on the fuel cost (I drive about 60-80 miles/day for my job/business). If we continue to have main stream vehicle, the fuel saving alone would justify having the APTERA as an additional vehicle but when I buy one, I would be more than glad to dump the CTS I have that I paid $33K for new. Now that I have only 2 more payments, I am ready for the inevitability of the APTERA.

Payment for a $30K APTERA is $600/mo. I have to put ~425 miles/week on my CTS at ~24MPG (average) and if the APTERA gets 120MPG, I would save ~$350 on fuel if fuel is $6/gal. It was not that long ago that we paid ~$1/gal. We are now at $3.25/gal.

My son is 8 years old and loves it when I take my 500W DC Electric Assisted HPV (a hybrid of sort) trike and pull a trailer to pick him up at his school (St Anne's Elementary in LODI CA). He is too big for the trailer and pushing 90 lbs. I have not done so for over a year. We have talked about a father/son project to build an APTERA like vehicle but at this stage of my life, I would just buy one and commute with it. Perhaps I can eventually work for a company like APTERA Motor Co.

I hope to get to APTERA this week or sometime soon to talk to them about their tooling needs to offer my help and resources. $500 of my tax return for 2007 is going to reserve an APTERA for sure.

Now, to the nay sayers. Don't compare this vehicle to a motorcycle. A motorcycle is darn cold when you want to use it year round. I had to one year on a Kawasaki GPZ 750 with no fairing in SD, CA...best climate on earth and I was always FREEZING at night. In the summer, hot days makes wearing leather sucks but you don't want to go down with out leather. The best mileage I was able to get was ~45-48 MPG. Not that impressive although parking was always a breeze even at SDSU where we have 12K parking spots for 40K students. Somehow, the math did not work out so parking was always a hassle and hard to come by unless you are there by 6:00 AM.

Those with 5 kids and lots of stuff, may I suggest a van? Buy the APTERA for yourself for your commute. Save time as you will be taking the carpool lane as a motorcycle. You are stable like a car and can have your coffee and MP3 while commuting...you will not arrive with helmet hair, rumple clothes as your riding leather crumple your dress clothes. You don't have to leave your dress shoes under your desk to change out of your boots when you get to work. It cost a little more than a full dress BMW and about the same of a loaded Harley.

That said, please, please, please take the APTERA for what it is...It won't replace your sedan, your van or those who are just in love with their SUVs. Different strokes for different folks.

It could replace almost any 2 seater sports car and is more functional with a 3rd child seat. I have a couple as a friend in Arkansas. They have his/hers Viper. YEP that is right, V-10 super cars. As an Engineer I find the car intriguing but it make as much sense to me to have that car only when you have lots of money to burn. Perhaps they do. They are nice people and of course I back their decision to have lots of nice toys. The federal government allows $.53/mile write off. We looked at their numbers once...this allowance would not pay for the wear on their special tires.

They also have a couple of harleys, couple of Ducatis and a host of other crotch rockets, vettes etc...very nice...It does not look like they will find the APTERA very attractive though. But the APTERA is not for everyone. You have to love efficiency and hold that as the most important performance spec of any vehicle.

It has lots of cargo room, more than an average (keyword average) person need for daily use. I may not take it to COSTCO to pick up supply every 2 weeks for my business although if I had one, I would make it work by taking more trips. I would adorn the vehicle with the company LOGOs and partially write it off as a legitimate business expense or sale ad space.

So, look to see how you can make the APTERA or others like it work for your needs. Perhaps work the cost of it with the idea that fuel prices will rise and see where adding it or replacing a current vehicle with it begins to make financial sense.

Safety! I have heard a lot of people after a car accident say something like "I never saw him/her..."...well, even just painted white, you can add pin strip reflective tape on your APTERA and with the shape, you WILL be noticed. If you are seen, perhaps you will not be hit. A drawback is that you will have to stop and talk to people who are interested in more information.

APTERA MOTOR CO. WAY TO GO. I looks like it would be much more fun than my '72 bone white PORCHE 914 with pearl flames I use to drive when I just got out of college. I am cheering for you guys and can not wait to get my hands on one.

I have seen the up close the TESLA electric car at one of the NORCAL SAMPE (northern california's Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering) meeting last year...Nice but $200K? C'mon, I don't have that much money to spend on a daily driver/commuter...

Thanks for reading my ramblings. I hope I have rekindle some interest for those who may have stop considering an APTERA or spark more interest for those who are still undecided.

Respectfully, the Aptera does not achieve 120mpg, it is electrically driven. No ICE and so no MPG!

The ICE option is to be produced later, as a hybrid. The engine charges the batteries that drive the car (yes, it IS a car, only designated 'motorcycle' by CA law as it is a 3 wheeler) and as such, can travel 200-300 miles on a one gallon of fuel.

With a 10 gallon fuel tank that would give it a range of 2-3k miles!!

I for one am SO excited about this car. It's about freaking time.

I am not a tree hugger, but I have always been a hater of the outdated, inefficient Internal Combustion Engine. An idiotic design that burns fuel when you're standing still. Hopeless.

And Luc; building a car with a wing to provide lift is, errr (reading the 'Post an intelligent and CIVIL comment" button down there) NOT a wise thing. Why do you want to provide lift when lift reduces traction?????
No, that's not a good thing at all.

The Aptera was made to flow through the air. That is the only reason it looks like it does. So it's a 2.5 seater? It's their very first attempt!

When it comes to my area, I'M GETTING ONE.

As much as I find what they are trying to do with this car to be commendable I do believe it to be misguided, purely from the fact that it has a hybrid drive train rather a purely electric drive train.

Tesla Motors will be producing a number of fully electric cars in the near future.

For those who want to integrate different services (such as transport) into a lifestyle that also involves smart buildings that recycle waste and water and use electricity exclusively this vehicle comes up as being non-compatible, at least from my point of view.

However if you live in an area overflowing with agricultural waste and/or are using a gasifier then it would make more sense.

To my mind the closer we can get to the three step sun-power-service for all our needs the better it will be for everyone.

I really like the way this new concept in the disign of this car . I think that we are looking at our furture of cars of tomorrow . I've read some of the comments some good some not so go it reminds me how people laugh at the VW, But look at it today ,nobodys laughing and it also a great car .
Its really sad that our big three Auto makers are setting back and trying to keep us in the past while others are taking us into the furture .
When I hear of our NASA space people going to the space station and when you stop and think that they have been living up there for years and totaly self contain they don't have an extenion cord running to earth and yet thy are living up there year around so my hats off to you folks that are design cars for our future .

I want to live in star trek!!!!

If I did I would never have to be kept under the influence of greed...big business...oil companies...corrupt self-serving governments and narrow minded selfish companies and individuals.

If I lived in Star trek...things would be decided by practical soundminded people who really would be concerned with OUR health, well-being and the future of the planet and the life on it.

We have the technology..right now!!! Electric vehicles are FAR more efficeint than the old oil burners. Compare gas cars at approx 25% efficient use of energy to electric motors at approx. 85% efficiency. Electric vehicles are fast, powerful and quiet with minimal maintenance compared to gas vehicles. Think of it... how much you could save. No oil changes...no cooling system with rads, hoses, antifreeze, waterpumps etc. to break down. No air filters, no oil filters, no transmission! The cost savings would be enormous. The car companies do not want you to know this because maintenance is a cornerstone of their revenue.

Electric vehicles save our environment...even if they got there electricity from coal burning plants the emissions would be less than what is generated out the tailpipe of a gas car. Oh yeah, you don't need an exhaust system with an electric car either...more money saved on maintenance. The government does not want you to know this because they love the tax revenue they receive from gas sales. The oil companies do not want you to know this because the unpumped oil represents trillions of dollars of future business.

The major drawback with an electric car is the range you can go and the time it takes to recharge the battery. This problem has already been solved if we would only let it. A company called EESTOR has developed a replacement for current battery technology that is astounding. Current lead acid batteries are extremely heavy and take hours to charge...and then have a life expectancy of 500 to 700 recharge cycles. EESTOR has developed a capacitor battery that can fully charge in minutes compared to hours. This technology is based on solid state rather than chemical technology and consequently has none of the overheating problems associated with traditional batteries. This technology compared to lead acid batteries is also extremely light weight. Research has shown that this new capacitor battery has had no material degradation even after a million cycles, and if mass produced could be manufactured at comparable if not less cost than traditional batteries. Not only that... but it holds up to 10 times the energy of traditional batteries!!!

The cost of running an electric vehicle by all accounts beats gas powered vehicles DRAMATICALLY!!! Typical equivalents would be if your gas car got 200 to 300 mpg. The other advantage of electric vehicles is that the infastructure is already in place! We have electric grids and supply lines all over the country already. Forget hydrogen...by all accounts it's no where near as efficient, decades off at the earliest, and requires at least 10000 or more filling stations to be built and setup. Also the transport of hydrogen is very dangerous and risky! Since most charging of electric vehicles could be done overnight when demand is typically low we could make use of the current electricity production that is right now going to waste. The electricity is still being generated in the evening but the demand is less... that's why the electric companies ask us to try and schedule our uses of electricity in the evening.

It breaks my heart when I read the MY federal government (Canadian) does not allow electric vehicles produced here (ZENN motor company) to be run on our roads. When I read about oil companies purchasing the rights of new battery technologies and then not allowing them to be used in electric cars (thus keeping the electric vehicles off the road due to consumer lack of interest because of charging and range problems) it MAKES ME SICK!!!!!!!

People are dying from pollustion everyday...our planet suffers from global warming and life is vanishing off this planet at an alarming rate. We have the technology to solve these problems and this car is a perfect example of things that could be... but I know that in this world MONEY runs everything! Forget what's truly best, forget your health, forget what is most efficient and cost effective, because in the end none of that matters to the companies and people pulling the strings.

I sent $500.00 so i would have first chance to get one of these things now i want my money back but can't seem to contact them? They took my money and said they would return it if i changed my mind but now they won't return my mail???

Plug in hybrids will get 500 mpg+ if you drive less than 40 miles round trip per day. 85% of the commuters out there drive less than 40 miles round trip per day. Put a few solar panels on your roof and you will be loving life.
The climate and enviornment are going to destroy life on eart as we know it if we don't change to the new technology. Its a scientific certainty so lets get on with it,

SOLAR + Plug in Hybrid = Save the earth

I'm ready to be able to afford to drive to work!
so when do we purchase one of these?
and 20K?? for the Hybrid?

let's talk..... I'm curious

Are the tail lights very bright cuz in the last picture they look small, older people and people driving in rain or anykind of weather would be hard to see

Good Job All Togther : )

The safety issue of all vehicles needs to be addressed.

Us citizens seem to be taking the escalation approach to safety. My vehicle will be safer than my neighbors if it weighs twice as much. At the rate we are going our vehicles will soon outweigh semi-tractors. (on a side note I think Escalation would be a good name for Fords next SUV, escape, explorer, excursion, escalation).

If we all drove lighter more sane vehicles we could actually be safer. Maybe a law is required that if a person driving a larger vehicle hits a smaller vehicle and injurs its passengers the person driving the larger vehicle is responsible. Then the persons inherent desire for safety could be weighted with the persons inherent greed.

Sorry I am not a tree hugger, I am an oil well hugger.

Anyway, if Aptera makes a model that can handle the ski town I live in, I will bite. I might bite anyway as there isn't always snow on the ground even here.

I think this concept is brilliant, we certainly need it more than we need the next Ford Escalation,

I do not consider my self a tree hugger by any means. But, gas prices are killing me and 90% of the time I am in my truck by myself. Living in Iowa we have snow and ice 4 to 5 months out of the year. With the price of gas you could afford to drive this thing and still save some money. I drive around 200 miles per week with a vehicle that gets 11 miles to the gallon because 10% of the time I plow snow or am pulling a trailer.

I bet there are a lot of people out there like me. Cant wait till they come to Iowa.

If I didn't telecommute I'd have to buy one as soon as they arrive at the dealer. May have to get one anyway!

I bought one of the first Can Am motorbikes which is a three wheel platform gas driven motorbike. I have 5000 miles on it and it has proven safe and reliable.

There are two 'problems' with it that the Aptera hybrid seems to address: Fuel mileage is disappointing and riding it in the cold or rain is a bit uncomfortable.

So as soon as I saw the Aptera i put my money down for one. It claims good performance and good fuel mileage and it looks about 100 times safer than a two wheel motorbike and equally so my three wheeler.

The pricing is high and this will hurt their introduction efforts. BRP, the make of the Can AM Spyder, has their price at $15K which is a bargain for such a machine. It will go up in the future I am sure but BRP realizes that they need to buy into their share of the market. Aptera needs to rethink the pricing but they will sell at the $30k price, just not enough to make any difference in oil dependence or clean air.

A realistic (semi) three-wheeler? Here's one: more practical, comfortable and fuel-efficient than a Smart For2. Safer too. It was showcased at the Detroit Auto Show. More info at the Michelin Challenge site.

I want one.

Now, will one of you tech heads design a home, bio-diesel still that will allow me to make my own, home brew fuel from yard clippings where I can get my 320 miles per gallon without giving the oil companies one thin dime.

Hehehe....

I've been reading intermittently the comments on this car, and it seems interesting the two camps of folks and their opinions. I'll focus my comments towards those nay sayers that are still caught in the previous century I'm afraid. Too small, too funky looking, to impractical, too this that and everything else. Let's remove ourselves from the climes that have extreme weather for a moment to make this discussion a little easier to swallow. For the average mileage that the average person commutes in the average day, the design specifications clearly meet the needs of that huge number of average people. For those that think you can't lug anything in it, please spend some time researching. No you can't pile in the kids, grandparents and half of everything you own for a little 2 day weekend at the beach, but how often do you need that space really!? On your average commute you may pick up some groceries, hit the hardware store, etc.

Another point that I think will have been lost by said nay sayers as it is a vast reaching concept, but this vehicle is actually attempting to transform the psychology of a commuting vehicle and what it is principally for. It is a representation of the technologies that may come to be in the not so different future. Energy is likely never going to be cheap again. So for those laypersons....let me throw out the challenge to you on how you get a vehicle to have the gas mileage that this thing gets without a number of the technologies this vehicle has synergized. Wait....you're not an engineer, so you haven't got a clue.

This dovetails into my next point where someone commented earlier that this was a waist of time and what an upset. You must really be kidding me. Please if at all possible, pluck yourself from the dark ages and take a macroscopic look around at the context of what we as humans are doing, and how drastically we are going to have to start living in order to insure that future generations aren't living on a trash pile. The folks that are designing and putting together this vehicle are obviously passionate about what this vehicle is expected to do and why it needs to find a position in our society. Where do you seriously come off committing them to some huge failure?

The next point is crash worthiness. As an engineer myself I know there are some potential challenges. Not insurmountable, but certainly on the radar. Now....and you might want to sit down for this one, cuz an epiphany may result if you get this next point.....what if everyone drove these vehicles around unless you were carting around the kids, grandma and half of the rest of what you own? Crash worthiness is significantly related to the inertia your vehicle has pent up and also that of the other vehicle. If everyone was driving this type of vehicle or a variant of it, then it's a level playing field again.

Hmmm....swirl those few points around in your mouth for a while and if it's starting to taste like a fine glass of pinot, then I think we're one member up in the idea that we do have the capacity for significant change in this world. If all you taste is cheap swill then I'm afraid you might as well drink the whole bottle and kindly sit on the sidelines. The world is already seeing you in it's rear view mirror.

Hehehe....

I've been reading intermittently the comments on this car, and it seems interesting the two camps of folks and their opinions. I'll focus my comments towards those nay sayers that are still caught in the previous century I'm afraid. Too small, too funky looking, to impractical, too this that and everything else. Let's remove ourselves from the climes that have extreme weather for a moment to make this discussion a little easier to swallow. For the average mileage that the average person commutes in the average day, the design specifications clearly meet the needs of that huge number of average people. For those that think you can't lug anything in it, please spend some time researching. No you can't pile in the kids, grandparents and half of everything you own for a little 2 day weekend at the beach, but how often do you need that space really!? On your average commute you may pick up some groceries, hit the hardware store, etc.

Another point that I think will have been lost by said nay sayers as it is a vast reaching concept, but this vehicle is actually attempting to transform the psychology of a commuting vehicle and what it is principally for. It is a representation of the technologies that may come to be in the not so different future. Energy is likely never going to be cheap again. So for those laypersons....let me throw out the challenge to you on how you get a vehicle to have the gas mileage that this thing gets without a number of the technologies this vehicle has synergized. Wait....you're not an engineer, so you haven't got a clue.

This dovetails into my next point where someone commented earlier that this was a waist of time and what an upset. You must really be kidding me. Please if at all possible, pluck yourself from the dark ages and take a macroscopic look around at the context of what we as humans are doing, and how drastically we are going to have to start living in order to insure that future generations aren't living on a trash pile. The folks that are designing and putting together this vehicle are obviously passionate about what this vehicle is expected to do and why it needs to find a position in our society. Where do you seriously come off committing them to some huge failure?

The next point is crash worthiness. As an engineer myself I know there are some potential challenges. Not insurmountable, but certainly on the radar. Now....and you might want to sit down for this one, cuz an epiphany may result if you get this next point.....what if everyone drove these vehicles around unless you were carting around the kids, grandma and half of the rest of what you own? Crash worthiness is significantly related to the inertia your vehicle has pent up and also that of the other vehicle. If everyone was driving this type of vehicle or a variant of it, then it's a level playing field again.

Hmmm....swirl those few points around in your mouth for a while and if it's starting to taste like a fine glass of pinot, then I think we're one member up in the idea that we do have the capacity for significant change in this world. If all you taste is cheap swill then I'm afraid you might as well drink the whole bottle and kindly sit on the sidelines. The world is already seeing you in it's rear view mirror.

ANYTHING that moves and keeps me from spending ANY $ on oil/gas is ok with me! $4. + per gallon is still less than everyone else in the world is paying (except in oil producing countries) but still a big chunk of my income since I am on the road a lot.
Bring em on!
Kudos to folks helping to break away from "gotcha by the nuts" big oil companies!!

Simply stunning. A car I would be beaming with pride to see everyone stare at. Unbelievable deal (even at 30K for the hybrid) for the mileage(120 on pure gas)/range(700mi full charge and full tank). Beautiful. Solar A/C heat pump! Eco recycled fabric interiors.....ahhhh

Looking at the car I see the future, and it is bright again...and hopefully less warm:)

Vernon - What is the status of your refund? I have not seen any change to the Aptera.com website for about a month.

I also paid the $500. I am hoping to get the all electric model. I hope this company is for real and can deliver. I think my production # is 485.

For the crash safety, I think it is fine. I hardly ever crash anyway.

And the future looks good with new battery technology. Check out A123Systems.com and look at the capicators of EEStor. Nano solar panels will also hopefully develop.

I imagine the price will become reasonable, in time. Meanwhile, I am glad to help with the development process and donate $26,500 or so for one.

I would buy one in an instant! I don't crash! I don't want to live in the past like Barney Rubble!

Electric or Hydrogen, I don't care as long aa we stop feeding the Ultra Billionaires in Saudi Sand!

I just put down a deposit, and I am almost #2500 on the list. Someone else must think this is viable too! I drive 20 miles each way to work. This should be able to do that with ease. Got suck eggs Oil Barons!

I need this but I'm guessing the price would at least double by the time it got over here to the UK. Never mind, 8.5 years and I'll be allowed back into the States. I can wait.

I have reservation #2292. Can't wait till I can plug into my solar (5kw) powered house and drive free of buying gas. Oh, I'll carry my Honda 2000I generator as a back-up as I am opting for the electric only.

I'm also on the wait list for the hybrid version. I'm surprised the by number of naysayers that have posted here. What is wrong with a small efficient car that normally is driven ALONE during workdays? The Aptera may not suffice for every family's only car, but certainly as a commuter car it seems to make sense. Who would rather drive a monster SUV/Pickup/Minivan alone to work with a 50-100 mile commute? At what price does gas need to go to make you think about that? What about your environment? It is irresponsible and unpatriotic to be driving these guzzlers when you know you don't need to. If not for you, think about what kind of world you are leaving for your kids.

how much does it cost?

I believe Ben Franklin's tongue-in-cheek comment,"Of what use is a new born infant?" is applicable here.
The first steps in a new project often bear little fruit but without them there will be no progress.

We design "why didn't I think of that" products that help the human race.
The Aptera blows my mind.
We want AT LEAST two of them.

Hats off to Aptera Motors for their bravery and forward thinking. It's GREAT STUFF!!! Maybe we'll have a mode of transportation made here in the US that doesn't cost $40 to $120 a week to fill up.
The big 3 US auto makers have let the imports prove their stuff and did not compete, now they are downsizing and shutting down plants in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Where were the CEO's of the big 3 when the Japanese invasion was taking place? Probably counting their million dollar bonuses.
I gave up my big Dodge in 1981 and have driven nothing but Toyota and Honda since. I've taken a lot of crap about not being patriotic but hey, when the US car makers produce a vehicle as good as my Civic, then I'll drive American...APTERA Motors may be my salvation to be considered a good citizen again.
It's an interesting vehicle. A little futuristic and scientific looking. I'd like to see it in a different color like bright orange with some airbrushed flames and stuff...This technology Needs to be our future!!! Can't wait to see the accessory booklet. GOOD LUCK APTERA

I think the nay sayers didn't ever like star trek or science fiction. I for one love that what was once science fiction is rapidly becoming science fact. I am waiting for a reply from Aptura about purchasing one to pick up. I live in Austin TX. I told them I'm willing to travel to pick mine up. If I am shut out of buying this round I will definatly get one or the next generation when they are available in my area. 200+ per gallon... or 120 miles on approx $1-$3 of electricity... can you imagine if even half the American car fleet got that?... No matter what you think about this car/technology you have to admit it blows the pants of a pris or any other half baked idea comming out of detroit for dealing with the energy kanundrum that we find our selves in. in my case this car would save me approx $225 a month in gas and my current car gets 27mpg (Scion tC) at 4.00 agallon i fill up approx 1.5 times a week as i have a 68 mile round trip to work if i don't stop anywhere or go any where during the weekend... that savings would go toward the car payment instead of being tacked on to a normal car payment... i will be very intrested in the reliability of these exciting new cars as they start rolling off the assembly lines...

Wow, this is the stupidest thing I have ever seen. First of all it has three wheels. You go around a corner at 15mph and you roll the thing. Second of all, if you crash, you die. Third of all, where is the heating and air conditioning unit?!?! This car is just too lame.

Wow, this is the stupidest thing I have ever seen. First of all it has three wheels. You go around a corner at 15mph and you roll the thing. Second of all, if you crash, you die. Third of all, where is the heating and air conditioning unit?!?! This car is just too lame.

A S , I couldn't agree more. Thanks for setting the record straight with Jan jensen and the other stupid criticisms. Everyone wants something new but immediately trash new ideas. I can only imagine what was said about the idea of the first automobile, light bulb, phone, TV, microwave, cell phone, airplane and the numerous other inventions we depend on and enjoy today. Critics just criticize they never contribute.

For those who wanted to know what the inside looks like, and asked a question about the lack of mirrors, this video will explain very well:
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2008/06/05/washburn

Though some may think it unrealistic, this prototype shows how efficient we can make cars (though classified as a 3 wheeled motorcycle) I don't think it's ridiculous at all, I think it will be reality.

You critics are CRAZY!!! You're seriously bashing this thing!?! They must have just bought a prius or SUV or something. I think this is incredible, and it's priced way more reasonable than say something like a tesla. When are big car companies going to figure out people are sick of paying at the pump? Braavo, too bad I live in AZ.

So, where do go to buy one?

http://www.aptera.com/ask.php

For all people bashing, you should go to there site for all your questions you answered wrong.
This car design is going to set new standards. Yes, its 3 wheels, but no its not easy to tip. 2 wheels in the front and low CG mean better stability and reduced roll. It has a roll cage and has the footprint similar to a mini cooper. 10 gallons of gas would last me 38 days. Thats 60miles a day. That is incredible!! It also so seats 2 and holds 2 golf bags in the rear.

Re...
>>>I've been an environmental activist since 1968 - this looks like an airplane with wheels instead of wings and as a single (used-to-be) commuter VERY UNREALISTIC. It holds one person???, no room for groceries or hauling stuff. Waste of time and good minds, and someone's hard earned dollars to put together - in my opinion!

The above seems to be writen by someone who did not bother to even look at the web site on the vehicle. It sits two plus people, (two people plus one three year old) its arodynamic shape is why it beats the heck of the prius on the MPG scale. It holds a couple of surf boards in the boot.

Before you barf up your "opinion" try to turn off your anti tech bias.

Upon closer examination the production vehicle isn't THAT light. Think what would happen if you removed the room for two seats, a wheel, and the engine for a focus. So stability and safety should be competitive.

The powertrain is what gets me. Sure they get great fuel economy but so does a soap box car. What most of the people supporting this trike don't mention is that it only got 100 mpg or so when it's little 1 cylinder engine is running to get to highway speeds. Now that's something more believable.

More questions that only the company can answer:
1. How much will it be affected by more common CA traffic (How much does aerodynamic efficiency matter in stop and go traffic)?
2. How much will it really cost?
3. What will the suspension look like on the production vehicle (from the pics I've seen I'm a little worried)
4. Can they do something, anything about adding another 2 seats. (that 1/2 seat just isn't going to cut it)

Cool Car! But that was a good observation regarding POTHOLES and SNOW.

Aptera just got Google funding, so it seems smart people know a good thing when they see it:

http://smashgods.com/2008/07/23/aptera-update-google-now-in-the-passenger-seat/

Some of the posts are ludicrous on this site in reference to the Aptera. Do your research before taking shots at a car that is currently pulling automotive design and thought in the right direction.

Go Aptera!

How pathetic can you get? This car is not good it's fantastic. Americans, me included, have got to be the most spoiled, inconsiderate numbskulls on the face of the earth. Outright moronic comments like "no thanks I'll stick to my Prius" just floor me. Those comments about the Aptera not looking like something worth having stun me as well. Open your eyes folks, this car LOOKS COOL. It needs no applogies nor sympathy. I give you folks at Aptera major applaud for everything you have done here. I hope, by introducing the Aptera, you initiate a much needed revolution in the automotive industry. Hip Hip hooray for you guys and shame on you morons who cannot see the value of what these folks have done.

I am glad to see the number of folks who won't be in my way in the purchase line. One cool car, a step in the right direction. I ride a motorcycle, so for me the third wheel is a bonus! It was built for California no snow areas. It will be so cool to drive mine to work in Peoria, IL. I will have one. At most 15 or 20 snow days (I will go back to the bike), then all Aptera everywhere I go, and I plan to go everywhere . I could drive non-stop coast to coast, except for toilet breaks, for as long as I would want to. Just see it all, including what is beside and behind me in the cameras that replace those wind dragging mirrors. What a car. Maybe I can get in on the ground floor of the aftermarket gadgets n gizmos and decals and bling-bling. What a car!

this thing is amazingly ugly but at least it saves GASSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

some people on here are horribly mis-informed about this car, just go to aptera.com and click on their faq's section, there is lots of good info there

nice car. what happens after a crash tho?? the car looks like the cabin can take a decent hit, butmebbe theycan make the car a reassemble type, with spares in the boot.

just a comment on taxes, we don't need any more new taxes... go live in england where they have a tv tax for what used to be 200 pounds= $420 a year for three channels at the time (that was like 20 years ago). The car is interesting. I myself was thinking of getting a diesel/electric hybrid vehicle, the plug in type. And installing solar panels on the house to charge the vehicle. It's well worth it to me because I live in CA/ bay area and commute 80+ miles one way for work (I am an electrical contractor). I believe they need to make a truck with the small diesel generator and capable of being plugged in to charge kind of like the gm volt. It would be practical, obviously the mpg would be sacrificed for bigger electric motors for propulsion, and weight ratios. At least it would be a start. I too make biodiesel.

I Can't believe you have to live in California to purchase one! That is a crime. By the time they are "allowed" to be sold in our state, however, there will likely be other competition.

I would get one right now, otherwise! I communte 100-300 miles a week and just bought a motorcycle which just doesnt cut it in the rain.