| 01 October 2009

Look Like Cars

Automobile manufacturers took the conservative route when they designed their hybrids, with the possible exception of Toyota’s Prius, which, dare I say, is now so common that Honda has copied its design for their new Civic Hybrid. They wanted them to look like cars, even if the interface was somewhat alien and intimidating compared with your average Chevy. A huge exception to this rule will be appearing on California’s highways and byways by the end of this year. The Aptera is the brain child of inventor Steve Fambro, an LA resident, commuter, and inventor who wanted to drive in the carpool lane but couldn’t always find a passenger. He partnered with composite boat builder and pilot Chris Anthony to design an exceptionally efficient vehicle that in California qualified as a motorcycle, allowing it to drive in the carpool lanes with a single passenger.

The initial offering will be an all electric, three-wheel vehicle that looks like it just landed in the experimental section of the airport, losing its wings in the process. Capable of a theoretical 100 miles per charge, the Aptera will accelerate to 60 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds and cruise at 70 in the car-pool lane of the freeway while carrying two people and a very modest amount of luggage or groceries. The passenger seat will fold down and allow a surfboard or step ladder to squeeze in as well. Driving the Aptera requires no special skills, and does not require a motorcycle endorsement on your California Drivers License. Perhaps the greatest challenge many will have with the car is getting in and out of it. Like some low slung exotics, the driver has to go in butt first, swinging the legs and head in afterward. Rearward vision can also be an issue. Some of the early prototypes had three cameras displaying the rear sides and back, while the later ones had left and right outside rear view mirrors and a single camera at the rear.

Diminutive size and use of composites has kept the weight of the Aptera to just 1500 to 2000 pounds. It is designed to handle adverse weather, steep hills, and bumpy roads, keep the occupants warm or cold as they might desire, just like a real car, and do it while using very little energy. The Aptera 2h will be a gasoline electric hybrid with a tiny gasoline engine that is relegated to charging the batteries only. Preliminary estimates suggest that it will be capable of a real world 100 to 200 miles to the gallon of gasoline!

The influence of pilot and boat builder Chris Anthony is clearly seen in the aerodynamic shape of the Aptera, but what you don’t see are the talents of engineers and designers that include some of the best minds in Detroit. Hopefully this will translate into a viable, user friendly people hauler that will carve out a place amongst a Prius and Smart car crowd that places a high value on economy of operation and environmental friendliness.

SOURCES:
http://www.aptera.com/
http://www.apteraforum.com/
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4237853.html