ShAdOwFoX

When Steve Fambro got bored building robots at a San Diego genetics company, he figured he could help keep his brain busy by building a kit airplane in his spare time. But his wife deemed the hobby too dangerous, so Fambro decided to build a car instead, one with low emissions and absurdly high mileage. Called the Aptera (Greek for "wingless"), the machine now exists as a working prototype. It has 2.5 seats, three wheels, weighs a feathery 1,500 pounds, and Fambro says his company will put the Aptera into production next October.

Specs may change between now and autumn 2008, but the current numbers look like this: 300 mpg, a price tag below $30,000, and 0-60 acceleration of 11 seconds (about a second slower than the Toyota Prius gas-electric hybrid). The Aptera will come in two versions: the all-electric Typ-1e; and the series-hybrid Typ-1h, with a small onboard gasoline engine capable of recharging the battery. According to Fambro the all-electric Aptera is expected to go roughly 120 miles on a full charge, while the series hybrid will travel 600 miles on a full battery and a full tank of gas — the equivalent of 300 mpg.

High Mileage + High Design
Fambro isn't trying to keep his inspiration source a secret. His MySpace page shows him beside a single-seat plane with a striking resemblance to his automotive creation. This sleek minimalism is what Jason Hill and his design firm (known simply as "11") brought to the Aptera.

Hill was scooped up by Mercedes right after graduating from Pasadena's Art Center College of Design. When he started his own firm 14 years later, Hill was doing special projects for Porsche. And when Fambro approached him with the first incarnation of the Aptera, Hill said "Let me at it."

Hill and his firm were entrusted with not only evolving the fiberglass bird into a consumer-friendly car, but also creating a complete user experience with its own brand identity. Ecological considerations were high on the list, and Hill readily incorporated flooring made from 100 percent recycled soda bottles, as well as seat, door, and overhead fabrics from post-industrial recycled sources.

The Aptera's roof houses a strip of solar cells that serve double duty. In hot weather they power the parked car's air conditioner, keeping the interior cool for when the driver returns. The same solar system also helps charge the central battery, adding supplemental power.

Since the majority of an automobile's energy is spent displacing air and hauling its own weight, a light and slippery design is vital. Hill helped smooth and lighten the Aptera by replacing the side mirrors and rear window with rear-facing cameras that display on three dashboard monitors. The already sleek package is rounded out with slick aesthetic touches, including a glowing exterior logo and accelerator/brake pedals embossed with plus and minus signs.

Fighting the Safety Stigma
Although Asian automakers have taken an early lead when it comes to greener cars, American automotive ingenuity is catching up fast. The spark, though, isn't coming from Detroit, but from comparatively microscopic startups fueled by Silicon Valley capital. One of Aptera's key investors is Idealab, better known for software than cars. Jumping into the game with Detroit's big hitters is no small thing, so these nimble companies are finding ways to fast-track their projects.

One favored method is to make three-wheeled vehicles that technically classify as motorcycles. Unburdened from the DOT's myriad safety criteria, small companies can proceed with far fewer hurdles. Makers of the ZAP! Alias, VentureOne and Carver One electric cars are all pursuing three-wheeled success.

But doubts about safety and road-worthiness are a common criticism from both consumers and competitors. Speaking at the brainy Gadgetoff conference, the co-founder of Tesla Motors, Martin Eberhard, showed video of the $100,000 Tesla electric Roadster in successful crash tests. Eberhard quipped that this is the difference between a product like his, and a "three-wheeled imaginary car that would never be safe on the highway."

Aptera founder Fambro insists his vehicle is not an overgrown motorcycle, and that it's every bit as safe as a comparable car. Within its fiberglass shell is a steel and aluminum safety cage inspired by Formula One racecars, and the Aptera's airbags are encased within its seatbelts. The Aptera also has a particularly wide wheelbase to provide stability, a 45-inch front crumple zone, and a cockpit that sits higher off the road than you'd expect, giving better visibility. Fambro says the Aptera has "performed beautifully" in computer-based crash tests. Next comes the real thing.

Step Right Up
For early adopters wanting to reserve an Aptera, the company is accepting $500 refundable deposits (they've received 400 to date). The financial commitment will guarantee a customer dibs on the first round of vehicles, and will also help Aptera judge which powertrain is more desirable.

If the Aptera comes to life, an all-electric and highway-ready car for under $30,000 will certainly change the game. Fambro and Hill are dead-set on seeing the Aptera through to commercial reality. "It's not just a show car that a manufacturer puts out and then you never see again," says Hill. "The Aptera is 90-percent production ready."

Theres more pics in the link below:
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/artic...part=passenger

Lithium Lotus

I can see that rear wheel act as a rudder if a strong gust of wind were to hit from either side and make the car do several 360's on the highway, and then become a pancake after getting creamed by a semi.

KraZy K 02

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

VikingDJ

Hello and welcome to DANGEROUS!!!!! You're all but dead in a car accident. That thing wouldn't survive on the nasty bumpy we got here.

Very cool though. It's like living on the Jetson's.

OSducky

I seen this car before, or read about it before, supposedly it has a full racing cockpit and the car breaks away, so in an accident its probably safer than most of the cars we are driving now.

deadphoenix52

top speed of 90 mph. great gas mileage. crappy performance.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

uh, this car is just as safe as every other car on the road.

you better believe they did fluid dynamics test for every single angle. i made a pine slot car (those little boy scouts things) that looked pretty much exactly like this. a drop of water falling through space is one of the most aerodynamic shapes, its widely known and known to me when i was 12, its then just a problem of forming it to a usable car shape.

unfortunately, they would not accept my deposit as i live on the east coast. i think i changed my mind about it, but my mom is definitely buying one as soon as they are released here.

BaronVonBigmeat

The inventor designing it claims it's as crashworthy as regular cars, but even if it isn't, it certainly can't be any more dangerous than riding a moped, which is the only other way you could get close to this kind of mileage. At least you're not going to simply fall on the pavement and get ground into hamburger if you hit a patch of loose gravel.

fourflush

Its not a car. Technically its a motorcycle. And you will need a motorcycle endorsement to drive it.

The main benifit for the manufacturer market it as a motorcycle is that they do not need to pass all of the crash safety requirments that a car would. I've read a couple articles about this car and i think everything quoted in the above article sounds about right except that I would be very surprised if they hit the under 30k price point. Especially since these are made entirely by hand.

There was a think on the discovery channel about this vehicle a little while back. Interesting concept but still has the problem that all electrics have had before it. Its slow, has limited range, and lackluster performance. I'd hold out for the Chevy Volt.

I can see the you have a very weak grasp of vehicle dynamics. Do motorcycles spin 360's every time they try to stop in a crosswind (hint: when a motorcycle is breaking 70 - 80% of the weight is shifted to the front wheel)

Razz1

No it is not just as safe as a car. That's why they made it 3 wheels. It's as safe as a motorcycle, less the braking performance and acceleration.

Razz1

Here is a better link for rear shots.

http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1033/

ivory8

i think this will be a huge seller in the future if they could put a decent sized trunk on it for groceries and stuff. This could be a great alternative for all grocery shoppers rather than the regular tahoe or escalade.

RufusVonStorm

LS1 swap