Posted on 11/21/2007 2:30:34 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
The last time the three-wheeled Aptera was featured on our site, we promised to keep you abreast of any new information that we found. Thanks to a tip from a reader named Matthew, we are pleased to let you know that Aptera is now accepting orders. Aptera has a Web site here, but there is not a great deal of information or raw-data to be found there. A better source of information is at their MySpace page, which is here. According to this article, Aptera is looking at around 300 miles per gallon along with acceptable performance numbers of about 11 seconds to sixty with a 95 mile per hour top-speed. Totally suitable for a commuter, wouldn't you say? Selling for less than $30,000 each, I can imagine that there would be quite a few takers. Other cool features of the car are the 360 degree visibility afforded by rear-mounted cameras and a solar powered air-conditioning system which will run on sunny days even when the car is turned off, keeping the vehicle comfortable. Awesome!
Weighing 850 pounds unloaded due to the composite structure, the hybrid diesel/electric Aptera should be classified as a motorcycle in most states. Looking very much like a "clipped" airplane, the name seems rather fitting; Aptera means "wingless" in Greek. We look forward to bringing you more information on this machine as soon as we can get it. Click past the break for a few videos of the machine in action!
For more on this new vehicle, be sure to check out our recent interview with Steve Fambro of Aptera!
There’s a reason they don’t make 3 wheeled ATV’s any more.
How did it do on collision tests? I’m thinking that just about any collision with another vehicle or deer at any highway speed will forever change your life.
It has some nice features, but I would not want to be in an accident while in it.
30K for a bubble bike? Crazy.
Now, I might buy a simple all electric car that went 40 miles on a charge. That would take care of 90% of my weekly driving, and I’d save the gas guzzler for road trips.
There’s no room to rhumba in a sport’s car.
Unless she is really petite.
Sure is. About 20 years ago, my neighbor lost her leg at the hip due to one rolling over her on a slope.
Clarification: a 40 mile range would cover 90% of my daily driving, each week.
http://www.engadget.com/tag/electric%20car/
That’s a nice website with a rundown on a dozen or so electric cars now in prototype stage.
Crash test reports?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.