The Aptera concept car’s three-wheeled, egg shaped design makes for an incredibly efficient vehicle, purporedly achieving 330mpg. It seats two people, weighs 850 pounds and utilizes a super-efficient hybrid diesel engine. A clear downside of the Aptera, however, is the complete lack of cargo space, a factor that will surely prevent many consumers from becoming early adopters.
Nevertheless, even in light of its oppressively nerdy design and its absence of cargo room the Aptera marks a step in the right direction. As more vehicles of this nature are developed and produced, they will inevitably expand in size, decrease in nerdiness and, in time, eliminate gas guzzling vehicles from the road altogether. Accelerated Composites, the vehicles manufacturer, has vowed to make make this incredible egg available for under $20,000 within the next two years.
Aptera Concept Car [SciFiTech]
does it go faster than a tricycle?
While this might be a new entry in the small vehicle market, it’s hardly a new concept. Lane Motor Museum (http://www.lanemotormuseum.com/) in Nashville displays half a dozen or so variations on the three-wheeled vehicle, dating back as far as 1948. Check out these: http://www.lanemotormuseum.com/show_vehicle.php?veh=PEELTRIDENT1965 and http://www.lanemotormuseum.com/show_vehicle.php?veh=CASALINISULKYA181975.
I think this is a good little car, but, what it needs is a trailer that can be mounted to the frame so it’s more like a back seat or storage area. Throw a couple of kids – or groceries – in the back and call it a day. It would be easy to remove (say, clamps), but solid enough not to detract from performance or make it unstable. Just my two cents.
I would buy one! So many cars just look the same!
I’m not sure what the top speed is, Michael. Maybe we can contact them and stage a speed comparison. We can stick Biggs on tricycle and have him peddle against the Aptera. My money is on Biggs.
Top speed is supposedly about 90 mph.
this was tried once before by corbin motors. http://www.3wheelers.com/corbin.html
_s
The photo you have included is of a Corbin Sparrow, not the Aptera. A working Aptera has not yet been made, thus, the only pictures you will see of it are rendered mock-ups, or an earlier demo version of the model that was not actually a working car.
Just thought you might be interested ;-)
This is NOT an Aptera! This in an NMG from Meyers Motors. An Aptera has been made it’s at Aptera.com Please research before you open your mouth.
The Site address for the Aptera is http://www.acceleratedcomposites.com and the vehicle is full size and has a top speed of 95 mph. 0-60 in 11 sec (as fast as a honda civic).