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Aptera: Three Wheel Diesel Hybrid

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by kram, Oct 2, 2007.

  1. kram

    kram New Member

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    "Aptera Is Now Accepting Orders for Their Three-Wheeled Car, With Videos

    Thanks to a tip from a reader named Matthew, we are pleased to let you know that Aptera is now accepting orders. 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!"

    More at http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/09/28/ap...eeled-car-with/

    Kinda cool looking. Also, like the AC running on solar even when vehicle is not running. Wonder how clean the diesel is though.
     
  2. etyler88

    etyler88 etyler88

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    Wow! Really cool. I want one. Sticker price is still a bit high, but I do want one. I would love to see one going down the road, I'd stalk it to check it out. Very creative. A light, motorcycle classification, side by side two seater seems to be the only way to get performance price and mpg efficiency that are a quatum leap forward right now. These three wheelers make a lot of sense for that commuter vehicle.
     
  3. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kram @ Oct 2 2007, 09:56 PM) [snapback]520256[/snapback]</div>

    It's a cool design, but I have a few questions. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that three wheeled vehicles are inherently unstable; more so if the single wheel is in front. As a "concept car", the Aptera apparently doesn't need bumpers. I'd be reluctant to take my new 30k baby into a parallel parking situation or, for that matter, urban traffic in general. Running the thing on biodiesel would be just about the greenest transportation gizmo yet, except for an all electric charged from a renewable power source.

    I love the airplane look.