Aptera Typ-1

The Aptera Typ-1 is a high-efficiency passenger vehicle, currently in the final stages of design by Aptera Motors. They are currently accepting pre-orders from California residents.cite web| url = https://aptera.com/reserve.php| title = Reserve Your Aptera| accessdate = 2008-01-19| publisher = Aptera Motors] The fuel efficiency of convert|300|mpgUS|L/100 km|abbr=on when plugged in every convert|120|mi|km would make it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world.

Aptera Motors claims the Typ-1 accelerates from convert|0|to|60|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on in less than 10 seconds with a top speed over convert|85|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on.cite web| url = http://www.aptera.com/ask.php| title = Frequently Asked Questions| accessdate = 2008-01-19| publisher = Aptera Motors] They have tentatively set the price at US$26,900 for the all-electric Aptera Local (formerly the Typ-1ecite web| url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj718vRrYGM| title = YouTube - Aptera CEO Steve Fambro| accessdate = 2008-03-31| last = Kates| first = David| date = 2008-03-04| publisher = [http://www.alternativeenergy.com/ AlternativeEnergy.com] ] ),and US$29,900 for the plug-in hybrid Aptera Everywhere (formerly the Typ-1h).

History

In September 2007, the Aptera Motors website was updated with information on the Typ-1, and the Mk-1 pre-production prototype was unveiled. The Mk-0 prototype was redesigned by Jason Hill, who worked on the Smart Fortwo and Porsche Carrera GT,cite web
url = http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/16-01/ff_100mpg
title = 1 Gallon of Gas, 100 Miles – $10 Million: The Race to Build the Supergreen Car
accessdate = 2008-04-01
last = Eric
first = Hagerman
date = 2007-12-20
publisher = Wired Magazine] 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.cite web
url = http://ohgizmo.com/2007/09/28/aptera-electrichybrid-car-on-pre-order-for-500/
title = OhGizmo! » Archive » Aptera Electric/Hybrid Car On Pre-Order for $500
accessdate = 2008-05-13
last = Ackerman
first = Evan
date = 2007-09-28
publisher = [http://www.ohgizmo.com/ OhGizmo!] ] A gasoline engine was used, due to the way diesel emissions are calculated.

In February 2008, the Typ-1 was featured in an advertisement for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. cite web
url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI2iCE51R9U
title = YouTube - Change Rolls Into Town
accessdate = 2008-07-04
date = 2008-03-06
publisher = Touchstone Energy Cooperatives ]

Design and fuel consumption

The Typ-1 is expected to consume 80 watt-hours/mi, 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 and low rolling resistance tires.. Early versions of the Typ-1 used “Eyes-Forward” cameras instead of high-drag mirrors, but this concept appears to have been abandoned, possibly due to the fact that California Vehicle Code mandates having at least one mirror; September 2008 Aptera newsletter showed a rendering of a Typ-1 with a conventional driver-side rear-view mirror and no driver-side camera. [cite web|url=http://www.aptera.com/newsletter092508/|title = Aptera 09/25/2008|accessdate = 2008-10-01]

The body design is similar to the human-powered ‘Pegasus’ and ‘Fusion’ vehicles and the MIT Aztec, [cite web| url = http://www.recumbents.com/wisil/misc/londry/default.htm| title = HPV Racing History - Pegasus Fusion| accessdate = 2008-07-04| date = 2007-03-14| publisher = [http://www.recumbents.com/ Recumbents.com] ] but the direct inspiration was the Volkswagen 1-litre car.cite web| url = http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4232400.html| title = 300-mpg, Electric Aptera Typ-1 Ready for 2008 Production, Not Jetsons Remake: First Look| accessdate = 2007-11-22| last = Marquis| first = Brittany| date = 2007-11-20| publisher = Popular Mechanics]

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 engine-generator.

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, with the Aptera Everywhere having a lower capacity battery. The typical recharge time is estimated at 2-4 hours. The Typ-1 will also slowly charge its battery during the day through solar panels on the roof. The controller is a [http://www.daughtersoftiresias.org/docs/AC24LS_DMOC445%20Product%20Sheet.pdf DMOC445] and the motor an [http://evc.wikidot.com/local--files/material-datasheets/AC%20Induction%20Motor%20AC24.pdf AC24LS] , both from Azure Dynamics. [cite web
url = http://apteraforum.com/showthread.php?p=6939
title = Confirmed! The Aptera’s drivetrain
accessdate = 2008-08-16
author = KarenRei
date = 2008-05-24
publisher = [http://apteraforum.com/ Apteraforum] ] The battery will also be paired with supercapacitors for acceleration and braking.

Plug-in Series Hybrid

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.cite web
url = http://www.aptera.com/detils.php
title = Aptera Details
accessdate = 2008-01-19
publisher = Aptera Motors] With a tank capacity of “up to five gallons,” the Aptera Everywhere has a claimed range of convert|600|to|700|mi|km|-1|abbr=on, [cite web
url = http://www.cbs8.com/story.php?id=104287
title = Jetsons-Style Car Gets Space Age Mileage
date = 2007-09-28
accessdate = 2008-01-19
publisher = News 8 KFMB, San Diego] compared to the convert|120|mi|-1 range of the Aptera Local. It is not connected to the drivetrain; instead, it is used to recharge the batteries.

As with any series hybrid, fuel economy of the Aptera Everywhere depends on trip length and battery charge. For trips of less than about convert|50|mi|pl=on 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 convert|130|mpgUS|l/100 km|1. Aptera Motors quotes convert|300|mpgUS|l/100 km|1, 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.

afety

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

Despite this, Aptera Motors has emphasized that safety has a high design priority for the Typ-1. It features a Formula One inspired passenger safety cell and boxed sandwich foam core composite structures. Frontal crumple distance is convert|45|in|cm|0, 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.cite web
url = http://www.gizmag.com/aptera-typ1-three-wheel-electric-vehicle/8392/
title = Aptera officially launches futuristic, super-efficient three wheeler
accessdate = 2007-12-22
date = November 23, 2007
publisher = [http://www.gizmag.com/ gizmag] ]

It has also been suggested that the “eyes forward” cameras will improve situational awareness over mirrors, reducing the odds of an accident. Other drivers may be more aware of such an unusual vehicle, [cite web
url = http://www.apteraforum.com/showthread.php?t=229#8
title = Why not many people like the shape of Aptera? - ApteraForum.com
accessdate = 2008-04-06
date = 2008-02-21
publisher = [http://www.apteraforum.com/ ApteraForum.com] ] and LED brake and directional indicators give other drivers more reaction time.Fact|date=July 2008

Accessories and interior

The release model, announced in September 2007, seats 2 adults with a child seat optionally between them, and has convert|15.9|cuft|L|0 of cargo capacity, enough for a couple of surfboards. 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. This keeps the interior comfortable and reduces the size of the heat pump needed. The seats can be heated or cooled by forced air, both for comfort and efficiency reasons.cite web
url = http://www.aptera.com/takejourney.html
title = The Aptera Journey
accessdate = 2008-07-04
publisher = Aptera Motors] While absent on current prototypes, the production Typ-1 will have windows that open.

Radio, CD/DVD/MP3 player, and GPS navigation are integrated into an in-console touch screen StreetDeck-based carputer, [cite web
url = http://www.streetdeck.com/node/56
title = Integration of StreetDeck with the Aptera Vehicle
accessdate = 2008-07-04
author = godofcpu
date = 2006-11-10
publisher = StreetDeck] but the climate control uses physical dials. It will also have RFID-based keyless ignition and entry and scarab doors.

To reduce the ecological footprint of construction, EcoSpun recycled materials 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.cite web
url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeN1Okyy05Q
title = YouTube - An Aptera guided tour: Introduction
accessdate = 2008-03-31
date = 2008-03-28
publisher = Aptera Motors]

References

External links

* [http://www.aptera.com/ Official website]
* [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=223356699 Official MySpace]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/apteramotors Official YouTube Channel]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/aptera/ Official Flickr pool]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/25239861@N03/ Extensive fan-compiled Flickr pool]
* [http://www.apteraforum.com/ Unofficial Fan Forum]