This article contains information about a scheduled or anticipated future automobile. It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final version of the vehicle.

It has been suggested that this article be split into articles entitled Aptera Typ-1 and Aptera Motors. (Discuss)

Aptera Typ-1

Artist's impression on what the car will look like.
Manufacturer	Aptera Motors, Inc.
Production	est. end of 2008
Assembly	United States
Predecessor	Aptera Mk-0
Class	Subcompact
Body style(s)	2-door three wheeled car
Layout	RMR layout
Engine(s)	Gasoline: 10 kW[1] genset Electric: 30 kW 3-phase motor, 100 ft·lbf (140 N·m) torque[2]
Transmission(s)	Series hybrid with 1:6 ratio belt drive
Curb weight	1,480 lb (671 kg)[3]
Electric range	120 mi (190 km)
Designer	Eleven

Aptera Motors, formerly Accelerated Composites,^[4] is a maker of high-efficiency vehicles, and is located in Carlsbad, California. Aptera’s first product, a three-wheeled two-seater named the Typ-1, is currently under development,^[5] though they are accepting pre-orders from California residents.^[6] The claimed long-range fuel efficiency of the hybrid model of 130 mpg (US) at 55 mph (1.8 L/100 km at 90 km/h) would make it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world. Aptera Motors cites 300 miles per US gallon (0.78 L/100 km) when plugged in every 120 miles (190 km).

Aptera Motors claims the Typ-1 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in less than 10 seconds with a top speed over 85 mph (137 km/h).^[7] They have set the price at US$26,900 for the all-electric Aptera Local (formerly the Typ-1e^[8]), and US$29,900 for the plug-in hybrid Aptera Everywhere (formerly the Typ-1h).^[6]

The name Aptera is Greek for “wingless,” a nod to the light-aircraft-inspired design and construction,^[9] and is pluralized ‘Apteras.’

History

In January 2006, startup Accelerated Composites issued a press release about an automobile design that would get an estimated 330 mpg at 65 mph (105 km/h). The body shape was initially estimated to have a drag coefficient of 0.055 to 0.06, and would have sported a 12 horsepower (9 kW) diesel engine and a 24 horsepower (18 kW) permanent magnet DC motor. The design also called for a CVT and ultracapacitors, and sell for under US$20,000.^[10][11]

The technology demonstrator, the Mk-0, was unveiled at the TED Conference in March 2007.^[12] Due to its higher drag coefficient of 0.11, it only achieved 230 mpg at 55 mph (89 km/h). The target price was unchanged at “around $20,000.” Around this time, Accelerated Composites was renamed Aptera Motors, Inc.

In August 2007, it was announced that Aptera was one of the first 30 participants in the Automotive X Prize, where they are considered a front-runner in the alternate class.^[13]

In September 2007, the Aptera Motors website was updated with information on the production vehicle, the Typ-1, and the Mk-1 pre-production prototype was unveiled. The vehicle was redesigned by Jason Hill, who worked on the Smart Fortwo and Porsche Carrera GT,^[14] with a finished interior and new body styling. At this time, Aptera Motors started to take reservations from residents of California for its pilot models — the Typ-1e and Typ-1h.^[15] A gasoline engine was used, due to the way diesel emissions are calculated.^[7]

In December 2007, Steve Fambro mentioned “Project X,” a four-wheeled five-passenger model.^[3]In March 2008 he further mentioned “other projects that are certainly more mainstream” in the works.^[8]

In February 2008, the Typ-1 was featured in an advertisement for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.^[16]

On April 22, Aptera announced that Neil Hannemann, who previously led a number of projects including the Dodge Viper, the Ford GT, and the Saleen S7, was hired as SVP of Program Management & Manufacturing.^[17]

Fambro himself invested around US$100,000 to found Aptera Motors. Idealab invested “about $1 million,” and “more than $1 million” came from Esenjay Explorations CEO Michael Johnson.^[18] In July 2008 Google.org invested US$2.75 million^[19] , with the total for the Series “C” investments of about US$24 million.^[20]

Aptera Motors is moving into a larger facility in Vista, CA, a move in the works since at least March 2008.^[8] As of August 2008, Aptera Motors has received around 4000 refundable deposits for its vehicles,^[21] and currently expects to deliver first units to customers in December 2008.

Design and fuel consumption

The Typ-1 is a three-wheeled vehicle. Two front wheels steer, and the rear wheel is driven by the electric motor. Lithium phosphate batteries are located in the area in front of the driver, behind the headlights. On the Aptera Everywhere, a smaller battery makes room for the genset.

The Typ-1 is expected to consume 60 watt-hours/km,^[8] making it a low energy vehicle. The Typ-1 has a drag coefficient of 0.11, compared with 0.19 for the record-holding EV1. Its strange shape is a result of extensive optimization in a virtual wind tunnel. It uses recessed windshield wipers, low rolling resistance tires,^[3] and “Eyes-Forward” cameras instead of mirrors. The body design is similar to the human-powered ‘Pegasus’ and ‘Fusion’ vehicles and the MIT Aztec,^[22] but the direct inspiration was the Volkswagen 1-litre car.^[23]

Aptera Motors uses composites in its construction, both to reduce weight and allow the unconventional body shape. This would normally be prohibitively expensive, but their Panelized Automated Composite Construction (PAC2) process fully automates the manufacture of the composite body.

The target battery capacity of the Aptera Local is 10 kWh,^[24] with the Aptera Everywhere having a lower capacity battery. The typical recharge time is estimated at 2-4 hours.^[7] The Typ-1 will also slowly charge its battery during the day through solar panels on the roof. The controller is a DMOC445 and the motor an AC24LS, both from Azure Dynamics.^[25] The battery will also be paired with supercapacitors for acceleration and braking.^[3]

The Aptera Everywhere uses a “small, water-cooled EFI Gasoline engine with closed loop oxygen feedback and catalytic converter,” coupled with a 12 kW generator/starter.^[24] With a tank capacity of “up to five gallons,”^[1] the Aptera Everywhere has a claimed range of 600 to 700 mi (970 to 1,130 km),^[26] compared to the 120 miles (190 km) range of the Aptera Local. It is not connected to the drivetrain; instead, it is used to recharge the batteries.

As with any series plug-in hybrid, fuel economy of the Aptera Everywhere depends on trip length and battery charge. For short trips after a full charge the engine may not turn on at all, resulting in ‘infinite’ fuel economy. If on the other hand the car was never plugged in, the Typ-1 would get 130 miles per US gallon (1.8 l/100 km). Aptera Motors quotes 300 miles per US gallon (0.8 l/100 km), which applies to a 120 mile trip after a full charge. They justify this by stating that 99% of Americans drive less than 120 miles daily.^[24].

Safety

Because the Typ-1 has only three wheels, most states in the US classify the vehicle as a motorcycle. This configuration also means that safety and emissions tests are not mandatory, as they are for automobiles.

Despite this, Aptera Motors has said they will incorporate safety features normally found in cars. The Typ-1 will use a Formula One inspired passenger safety cell and boxed sandwich foam core composite structures. Frontal crumple distance is 45 inches (114 cm), large for a vehicle of its size. As the body is above most car’s bumpers, a colliding vehicle’s bumper will travel under the Typ-1’s body, deflecting the energy. Despite its height, the placement of the heavy batteries lowers the Typ-1’s center-of-mass, a design similar to the highly stable Commuter Cars Tango. Driver and passenger airbag-in-seatbelts are also provided. All three wheels have dual hydraulic brakes, in addition to the rear regenerative brake.^[27]

It has also been suggested that the “eyes forward” cameras will improve situational awareness over mirrors, reducing the odds of an accident.^[6] Other drivers may be more aware of such an unusual vehicle,^[28] and LED brake and directional indicators give other drivers more reaction time.^{citation needed}

Accessories and interior

The release model, announced in September 2007, seats 2 adults with a child seat optionally between them, and has 15.9 cubic feet (450 L) of cargo capacity, enough for a couple of surfboards.^[3] It will use LED running and interior lights to reduce power. A solar panel mounted on the roof runs the heat pump during the day.^[27] This keeps the interior comfortable, reduces the size of the heat pump needed, and virtually eliminates the possibility of infants or pets being left in an overheating vehicle. The seats can be heated or cooled by forced air, both for comfort and efficiency reasons.^[29] While absent on current prototypes, the production Typ-1 will have windows that open.^[7]

Radio, CD/DVD/MP3 player, and GPS navigation are integrated into an in-console touch screen StreetDeck-based carputer,^[30] but the climate control uses physical dials. It will also have RFID-based keyless ignition and entry and scarab doors.^[15]

To reduce the ecological footprint of construction, EcoSpun recycled materials^[3] and organic dyes will be used for the seats and flooring, and the dashboard and the door panels are free of heavy metals and plasticizers.^[29][31]

Other PHEV makers

• Fisker Automotive
• Venture Vehicles
• Visionary Vehicles

See Also

• Hypercar
• Low-energy vehicle

References

External links

• Official website
• Official MySpace
• Official YouTube Channel
• Official Flickr pool
• Extensive fan-compiled Flickr pool
• Unofficial Fan Forum