Aptera Motors

Infobox Company
name = Aptera Motors, Inc.

type = Private company
foundation = 2005
founder = Steven P. Fambro
location = flagicon|USA Carlsbad, California
locations =
area_served = California, USA
key_people = Paul Wilbur (CEO)
Steven P. Fambro (CTO)
Chris Anthony (COO)
Neil Hannemann (SVP of Mfg)
Tony Kirton (CMO)
industry = Automotive
products = Aptera Typ-1
services =
num_employees =
homepage = [http://www.aptera.com Aptera.com]

Aptera Motors, formerly Accelerated Composites, [cite web| url = http://auto.howstuffworks.com/aptera-hybrid.htm| title = Howstuffworks "How the Aptera Hybrid Works"| accessdate = 2008-07-04| last = John| first = Fuller| date = 2008-01-08| publisher = HowStuffWorks] 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,cite web| url = http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2006-09/race-100-mpg| title = The Race to 100 MPG| accessdate = 2007-11-22| last = Baker| first = Billy| date = 2006-09-01| publisher = Popular Science] though they are 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.

The name " [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/aptera Aptera] " is Greek for “wingless,” a nod to the light-aircraft-inspired design and construction, [cite web| url = http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/16/HOP1103V8S.DTL| title = Aptera’s 3-wheeler looks as if it could soar| accessdate = 2008-08-02| date = 2008-04-16| publisher = [http://www.sfgate.com/ San Francisco Chronicle] ] and is correctly pluralized ‘Apteras.’

History

In January 2006, startup Accelerated Composites issued a press release detailing an automobile design that would get an estimated 330 mpg at convert|65|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on.

The Mk-0 technology demonstrator was unveiled at the TED Conference in March 2007. [cite web
url = http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/the_future_is_h.php
title = The Future is Here: Aptera’s Prototype Unveiled
accessdate = 2007-11-22
last = Dunn
first = Colin
date = 2007-03-15
publisher = [http://www.treehugger.com/ TreeHugger.com] ]

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. [cite web
url = http://auto.xprize.org/auto/press-release/automotive-x-prize-announces-first-30-teams-in-multimillion-dollar-competition-fo
title = Automotive X PRIZE Announces First 30+ Teams in Multimillion Dollar Competition for 100 MPGe Vehicles
accessdate = 2008-07-04
date = 2007-08-01
publisher = Automotive X Prize]

On April 22, 2008 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. [cite web
url = http://www.businesswire.com/news/google/20080423005330/en
title = Aptera Motors Taps Neil Hannemann as SVP of Program Management & Manufacturing
accessdate = 2008-09-14
date = 2008-04-23
publisher = Business Wire]

On June 24, 2008 they announced that Tony Kirton was hired as Chief Marketing Officer. He had previously worked for “five years as Director of Marketing at Audi of America, Vice President of Sales for Volkswagen & Audi in Great Britain, and Chief Marketing Officer on the executive board of BMW’s South African marketing and manufacturing subsidiary,” as well as independent branding and marketing consulting. [cite web
url = http://www.businesswire.com/news/google/20080624005504/en
title = Tony Kirton Joins Aptera as Chief Marketing Officer
accessdate = 2008-09-13
date = 2008-06-24
publisher = Business Wire]

On September 3, 2008 Aptera revealed that Steve Fambro hired Paul Wilbur as Aptera’s new CEO and assumed the title of Chief Technical Officer. [cite web
url = http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080903005523/en
title = Aptera™ Hires Seasoned Auto Executive Paul Wilbur as Its New President and CEO
accessdate = 2008-09-13
date = 2008-09-03
publisher = Business Wire] This led some to speculate that Fambro would be ousted, similar to Martin Eberhard of Tesla Motors and Daniel Riegert of Phoenix Motorcars. [cite web
url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/uptospeed/2008/09/aptera-electric.html
title = Aptera’s Management Mystery
last = Bensinger
first = Ken
accessdate = 2008-09-13
date = 2008-09-03
publisher = [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/ LA Times Blog] ]

Vehicles

Aptera Typ-1

The Aptera Typ-1 will be a 2.5-seat, three wheeled passenger vehicle. It is planned to be available in both all-electric and series hybrid configurations, at $27,000 and $30,000 respectively. Aerodynamic optimization using simulations and light-weight composite construction yields a vehicle which consumes only 80 Wh/mi at 55 mph, about half the energy needed to propel the EV1. On the battery electric model, this means a 120 mile range on 10 kWh of electricity, or around 340 mpg price equivalent.Assuming 13.49¢/kWh ( [http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_6_a.html DOE Aug 2008 California Residential average] ) and $3.816/US gallon ( [http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/sbsavg.asp AAA Daily Average California] , Regular, 2008-09-13); [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=.1349+USD%2FkWh+%2F+3.816+USD%2FUS+gallon+*+%2810+kWh+%2F+120+miles%29+in+mpg calc] ] On the hybrid vehicle, it leads to projections of 130 mpg on gasoline alone, or 300 mpg if plugged in every 120 miles.

Aptera Motors emphasizes that safety was not traded off for efficiency, citing crash test simulations and more recently component crush testing as indicating excellent survivability–on par with more conventional vehicles. Real-world crash test results are forthcoming, however.

The Aptera Typ-1 features roof-mounted solar panels, always-on climate control, and keyless ignition and entry. High-drag side mirrors are replaced with rear-view cameras, and an in-car touch screen PC serves as entertainment, navigation, and communication system.

Initial Design & Rendering

Aptera’s introductory press release claimed their design would achieve 330 mpg, and included renderings of the proposed vehicle. The body shape was initially estimated to have a drag coefficient of 0.055 to 0.06, and would have sported a convert|12|hp|kW|0 diesel engine and a convert|24|hp|kW|0 permanent magnet DC motor. The design also called for a CVT and ultracapacitors, and sell for under US$20,000. [cite web
url = http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=108992
title = 330 MPG! Aptera Hybrid Promises Amazing Mileage for Less Than $20,000
accessdate = 2007-11-22
date = 2006-01-20
publisher = Edmunds.com
archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20061010013619/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=108992
archivedate = 2006-10-10] [cite web
url = http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/01/startup_introdu.html
title = Startup Introduces 330MPG Diesel Hybrid Design
accessdate = 2007-11-22
date = 2006-01-18
publisher = [http://www.greencarcongress.com/ Green Car Congress] ]

Aptera Mk-0

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Aptera Mk-0


manufacturer = Aptera Motors, Inc.
parent_company =
aka =
production = no (technology demonstrator)
assembly = United States
predecessor = unnamed homebuilt prototype
successor = Aptera Typ-1
class = Subcompact
body_style = 2-door three-wheeled car
engine = Diesel: convert|9|kW|hp|0|abbr=on
Electric: convert|19|kW|hp|0|abbr=on
transmission = CVT
wheelbase = convert|1625|mm|in|0|abbr=on
length = convert|4394|mm|in|0|abbr=on
width =
height =
weight = convert|386|kg|lb|0|abbr=on
fuel_capacity =
sp = us

The Mk-0 technology demonstration vehicle was built to confirm the effectiveness of the design. Due to its higher than expected drag coefficient of 0.11, it only achieved 230 mpg at convert|55|mph|km/h|abbr=on. The target price was unchanged at “around $20,000.”

Project X

In December 2007, Steve Fambro mentioned “Project X,” a four-wheeled five-passenger model for possible future production.cite web
url = http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4237853.html
title = Aptera’s Super-MPG Electric Typ-1 e: Exclusive Video Test Drive
accessdate = 2007-12-22
last = Stewart
first = Ben
date = 2007-12-21
publisher = Popular Mechanics] In March 2008 he further mentioned “other projects that are certainly more mainstream” in the works.cite 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] ] However, Fambro has also stated that “you’ll know it’s an Aptera,” indicating that its look will remain distinctive.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] ]

Financing and Production

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.cite web
url = http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/26/business/news/7_01_009_25_07.prt
title = Prototype gets 300 mpg, company says, qualifies for car-pool lane
accessdate = 2008-04-01
last = Bradley
first = Fikes
date = 2007-09-25
publisher = [http://www.nctimes.com/ North County Times] ] In July 2008 Google.org invested US$2.75 million, [cite web
url = http://blog.google.org/2008/07/driving-plug-in-technology-with.html
title = Driving plug-in technology with investments of $2.75 million
accessdate = 2008-08-16
last = Sun
first = Karl
date = 2008-07-23
publisher = [http://blog.google.org/ google.org blog] ] with the total for the Series “C” investments of about US$24 million. [cite web
url = http://www.businesswire.com/news/google/20080724006373/en
title = Aptera Moves One Step Closer to Production of Its Ultra-Efficient Typ-1 Vehicle
accessdate = 2008-08-16
last = Dore
first = Tisha
date = 2008-07-24
publisher = Business Wire]

Aptera Motors is moving into a larger facility in Vista, CA, a move in the works since at least March 2008. As of August 2008, Aptera Motors has received around 4000 refundable deposits for Typ-1s, [cite web
url = http://www.daughtersoftiresias.org/apterawiki/Known_pre-orders
title = Known Pre-orders – Apterawiki
accessdate = 2008-08-16
date = 2008-08-08
publisher = [http://www.daughtersoftiresias.org/apterawiki/Main_Page Apterawiki] ] and currently expects to deliver first all-electric units to customers in December 2008, and the first hybrids in late 2009.

See also

* Computational Fluid Dynamics
* Date of discharge
* Finite Element Analysis

Notes

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]