Aptera Typ-1
Jun 5th, 2008 by Moonage
Watch out GM, there’s a new competitor in the hybrid market:
Actually, that’s the rear of the Aptera. Pretty spacey lookin huh? Might explain some of the UFO sightings in California of late. Now, on a more serious note, this things gets something like 230 miles per gallon.
That’s the front of the Typ-1. Looks like a plane with the wings chopped off to me. And, for all intents, it is. Keep the aerodynamics and run it on electricity and you’ve got a low drag vehicle that doesn’t take a whole lot to get moving. Toss in some pretty space-age digital only displays and you’ve really got something to play with. Price it at less than $30,000 and you’ve actually got the potential to sell some of them as well.
Now, imagine the shape the US would be in if everyone were getting, at worst, 230 miles per gallon. Figured it this way, that $200 a month on gasoline would be reduced to about $16.
What I do like about this thing is the outrageous mpg if you go that route ( they have an electric only option as well ). What I don’t like is the rather spare interior. It’s small, so you’re going to be right on top of everything inside. More color, more flash, more gadgets are needed. I hate white interiors. Secondly, although I’m sure it’s an option not shown, flashier exterior paint jobs would be a boon as well. This thing is a one trick pony, it can easily be a lot more appealing. Other than that. I’m hopped up about this.
I’ll bet GM is too. They are promoting their Volt will be ready in a couple of years for mass markets. Aptera is claiming they are right now.
Ive seen this car around the net. Yes, a bigger interior would be nice, color options would be a big plus but what about safety? Have you seen anything regarding crash tests for this car?
OK, I did check out the Aptera web site. Looks like the price range will be ok and safety may not be an issue. Also, if its only offered in white that doesnt mean you cant take it to a paint shop and trick it out yourself.
It’s using that new carbon type body, as most electrics are. I don’t know how or how hard it would be to trick it out. My initial guess, since it’s not metal, is it would be pretty easy. As far as the interior goes, it wouldn’t be hard, and wouldn’t suck up too much juice to add a USB port for playing mp3’s and such. Or, better yet, stick a bluetooth in there for cells. Just a couple of little things like that to go with the sci-fi dash and even more sci-fi appearance. However, Mrs. Moon has assured me there will be nothing looking like that in her driveway any time soon. Guess it would have to sit on my side.
She’s still more sold on the Volt. That leads me to believe that before something can be accepted to a scale to be of any real national benefit, it will have to look a lot more like what we’re used to looking at.
Well, im sure if I drove either the Volt or the Aptera to work they would be a big attention grabber here at the cube farm.
Where I live at, I’m certain I’d be much less likely to get shot at in the Volt. I can tolerate the “wtf is dat?” a lot more than buckshot. And, I would guess I’d be a lot less likely to see vids of me cruising through the woods on youtube in the Volt as well. Although, I have to admit, I’ve always wanted to go viral.
[...] the long run.” I wonder what gave them that idea? Could it have been the announcement of the 230 mpg car? Or, maybe Volkswagon’s hydrogen car? OR GM’s announcement it was ceasing [...]