Aptera Motors
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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. |
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It has been suggested that this article be split into articles entitled Aptera Typ-1 and Aptera Motors. (Discuss) |
| Aptera | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Aptera Motors, Inc. |
| Assembly | United States |
| Class | Subcompact |
| Body style(s) | 2-door three wheeled car |
| Layout | RMR layout |
| Engine(s) | 3-phase electric motor |
| Aptera Typ-1 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | est. October 2008 |
| 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 belt drive, 1/6th gear ratio |
| Curb weight | 1,480 pounds (671 kg)[3] |
| Fuel capacity | 5 gallons gasoline (range: 600 miles) |
| Electric range | 120 miles (190 km) |
| Designer | Eleven |
Aptera Motors (formerly Accelerated Composites based in San Diego, California.[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 at 55 mph (0.8 L/100 km at 90 km/h) would make it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world. A higher figure of just over 300 mpg is used for shorter (approximately 100 mile) trips, where the pre-charged batteries are able to run the hybrid vehicle for approximately the first 60 miles.
Aptera Motors claims the Typ-1 accelerates from 0–60 mph (0-97 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.
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[edit] History
In January 2006, startup Accelerated Composites released details of 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 continuously variable transmission and ultracapacitors, and sell for under US$20 000.[9][10]
| Aptera Mk-0 | |
|---|---|
| Production | no (technology prototype) |
| Engine(s) | Diesel: 9 kW (12 hp) Electric: 19 kW (25 hp) |
| Transmission(s) | Parallel hybrid with CVT |
| Wheelbase | 1,625 mm (64 in) |
| Length | 4,394 mm (173 in) |
| Curb weight | 386 kg (851 lb) |
The technology prototype, the Mk-0, was unveiled at the TED Conference in March 2007.[11] 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 US$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.[12]
In September 2007, the Aptera Motors website was updated with information on the production vehicle, the Typ-1. The vehicle was redesigned by Jason Hill, who worked on the Smart Fortwo and Porsche Carrera GT,[13] 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.[14] It included legally required equipment that was omitted from the Mk-0, such as running lights, directional indicators, and a motorcycle license plate. A pre-production prototype, the Mk-1, was unveiled at this time.
The engine was switched to gasoline, due to a lack of small, low emission diesel engines, and the Typ-1 became a series hybrid with direct belt drive.
As of November 2007, five additional pre-production prototypes were under construction. Two of these are for demonstration and showcasing and three are for road testing. These prototypes are full pre-production models with all interior features.[1]
In December of 2007 the estimated fuel economy was again revised. This time it improved to the previously claimed 300 mpg.
In February 2008, the Aptera was featured in an advertisement for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.[15]
In March 2008, Steve Fambro, the founder of Aptera, revealed that Aptera Motors was pursuing "other projects that are certainly more mainstream."[8] This could be a reference to "Project X," a four-wheeled five-passenger model first publicly discussed in December 2007.[3]
Fambro invested around US$100 000 to found Aptera Motors. Idealab invested around $US1 million, and "more than $1 million" came from Esenjay Explorations CEO Michael Johnson .[16] In September 2007, it was estimated that Aptera Motors needed US$20-40 million and 100 000 square feet to begin production, and as of March 2008 Aptera Motors says they are moving out of their existing 15 000 square foot facility into a larger one.[8] On April 22nd, 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 a vice president to oversee program management and manufacturing.[17]
As of May 2008, Aptera Motors has received nearly 2500 refundable deposits for its vehicles. It currently expects to deliver first units to customers in December 2008 and to fill all reservations by late summer of 2009.
[edit] Design and fuel consumption
The Typ-1 is a three-wheeled vehicle. Two front wheels are used to steer, and the rear wheel is connected to an electric motor. Lithium phosphate batteries are located in the area in front of the driver, behind the headlights. On the Aptera Everywhere, some of that space is used to accommodate the gasoline generator.
The Typ-1 is expected to consume 60-80 Watt·hours/km at 55 mph (90 km/h),[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. It uses recessed windshield wipers, low rolling resistance tires,[3] and cameras in place of side mirrors. The body design is similar to the human-powered 'Pegasus' and 'Fusion' vehicles[18] and the MIT Aztec, but the direct inspiration was the Volkswagen 1-litre car.[19]
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[20], with the Aptera Everywhere having a lower capacity battery. The recharge time on a conventional 110 volt outlet 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 manufacturer of the batteries or motor has not been revealed, but the batteries are sourced from two different manufacturers.[2] The battery will also be paired with supercapacitors.[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[20]. With a tank capacity of "up to five gallons (19 L),"[1] the Aptera Everywhere has a claimed range of 600-700 miles (965-1125 km)[21], compared to the 120 miles (193 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 on a full charge, the genset may not turn on at all. Aptera Motors has stated that 300 mpg (U.S.) (1 l/100 km) applies to a 120 miles (193 km) trip on a full battery. With a depleted battery or for very long trips, the fuel economy is approximately 130 mpg (U.S.) (2 l/100 km). Aptera Motors justifies the 300 mpg figure by stating that 99% of Americans make daily trips of under 120 miles (190 km).[20] The 130 mpg figure is, however, appropriate for comparing operational power efficiency with solely gas-powered vehicles.
[edit] 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, like 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.[22]
It has also been suggested that the use of rear-view cameras instead of mirrors will improve situational awareness, reducing the odds of an accident.[6] Other drivers may be more aware of such an unusual vehicle,[23] and LED brake and directional indicators gives other drivers more reaction time.
[edit] Accessories and interior
The release model, announced in September of 2007, seats 2 adults with a child seat optionally between them, and has 15.9 cubic feet (450 L) of cargo capacity.[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.[22] 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.[24] While absent on current prototypes, the production Typ-1 will have windows that open.[7] The vehicle is claimed to be spacious enough to accommodate a couple of seven-foot surf boards.
Radio, CD/DVD/MP3 player, and GPS navigation are integrated into an in-console touch screen StreetDeck system,[25] but the climate control uses physical dials. It will also have RFID-based keyless ignition and entry and scarab doors.[14]
To reduce the ecological footprint of construction, 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.[24][26]
[edit] Other PHEV makers
[edit] See also
- Hypercar
- List of hybrid vehicles
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Low-energy vehicle
- Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Ring, Ed (October 16, 2007). Aptera’s Series Hybrid. EcoWorld. Retrieved on 2007-12-11.
- ^ a b Aptera Is Now Accepting Orders… Comment #10 (September 30, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- ^ a b c d e Stewart, Ben (December 21, 2007). Aptera's Super-MPG Electric Typ-1 e: Exclusive Video Test Drive. Popular Mechanics. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
- ^ Howstuffworks "How the Aptera Hybrid Works"
- ^ Baker, Billy (September, 2006). The Race to 100 MPG. Popular Science. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
- ^ a b c Reserve Your Aptera. Aptera Motors. Retrieved on 2008-01-19. (This page also lists specifications and accessories for the models available for preorder.
- ^ a b Frequently Asked Questions. Aptera Motors. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
- ^ a b c d Youtube - Aptera CEO Steve Fambro. AlternativeEnergy.com (March 4, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
- ^ 330 MPG! Aptera Hybrid Promises Amazing Mileage for Less Than $20,000. Edmunds Inside Line (January 20, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
- ^ Startup Introduces 330MPG Diesel Hybrid Design. Green Car Congress (January 18, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
- ^ Dunn, Colin (March 15, 2007). The Future is Here: Aptera's Prototype Unveiled. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
- ^ Automotive X PRIZE
- ^ Eric, Hagerman (December 20, 2007). 1 Gallon of Gas, 100 Miles – $10 Million: The Race to Build the Supergreen Car. Retrieved on 2008-04-01.
- ^ a b Ackerman, Evan (September 28, 2007). OhGizmo! » Archive » Aptera Electric/Hybrid Car On Pre-Order for $500. OhGizmo!. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ Change Rolls Into Town.
- ^ Bradley, Fikes (September 25, 2007). Prototype gets 300 mpg, company says, qualifies for car-pool lane. North County Times. Retrieved on 2008-04-01.
- ^ Aptera Ramps Up for 2008 Production With Veteran Supercar Guru - Popular Mechanics
- ^ The Pegasus and Fusion Human Powered Vehicles - HPV - Kelly Londry
- ^ Marquis, Brittany (November 20, 2007). 300-mpg, Electric Aptera Typ-1 Ready for 2008 Production, Not Jetsons Remake: First Look. Popular Mechanics. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
- ^ a b c Aptera Details. Aptera Motors. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
- ^ JETSONS-STYLE CAR GETS SPACE AGE MILEAGE. News 8 KFMB, San Diego (September 28, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
- ^ a b Aptera officially launches futuristic, super-efficient three wheeler. gizmag (November 23, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
- ^ Why not many people like the shape of Aptera? - ApteraForum.com. ApteraForum.com (February 21, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- ^ a b The Aptera Journey
- ^ Integration of StreetDeck with the Aptera Vehicle | streetdeck.com
- ^ Youtube - An Aptera guided tour: Introduction. Aptera Motors (March 28, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
