Ladies and gentlemen, next year’s green car – The Aptera!

Posted on November 26th, 2007 by Richard Catto 3,504 views

This is the Aptera!
Click the image to see it bigger.

The Aptera hybrid model has a range of 640 kilometres (400 miles) with fuel economy of 126.8 kilometres per litre (300 miles per gallon). The Aptera electric has a range of 192 kilometres (120 miles).

The Aptera carries 2 adult passengers and has a baby seat in the rear.

This is the cockpit of the Aptera.
Click the image to see it bigger.

The cockpit of the Aptera features its unique "Eyes Forward" system. Instead of side and rearview mirrors, the Aptera has cameras whose picture is shown on a screen showing a full 180 degrees rearview, enabling you to see what’s behind and to the side of you without ever taking your eyes off the road ahead. A unqiue safety advance!

The Aptera is currently being developed in California, United States and is not yet available to the public. Residents of California are, however, able to reserve their own personalised Aptera with a $500 fully refundable deposit. Details available on their web site: aptera.com

The Aptera is a tricycle with 2 wheels in front for stability. It is rear wheel driven and steered. The Aptera is registered as a motorcycle in California.

The Aptera’s feature list:

Driver and passenger side Airbags. The Aptera’s seatbelts have a unique advanced airbag in a seatbelt technology.
Energy absorbing and impact deflecting passenger Safety Cell
Advanced drive computer with GPS navigation, CD/MP3/DVD player, XM satellite radio, Large View Rear Camera, and complete vehicle diagnostic system
"Eyes Forward" vision system with 180 degree rear sight picture displayed in the driver’s field of view to enhance situational awareness
LED interior and exterior lighting for maximum energy efficiency
Solar assisted Climate Control System so you always enter a comfortable Aptera that is never too hot or cold
And an RFID(Radio Frequency ID) key fob so you never have to pull out your keys to enter or start your Aptera. The key fob simply remains in your pocket or purse.

Watch this video to see how it drives:

Just add wings and this thing might just fly! It looks like a light aircraft without its wings.

I want one!

Tags: car, clean car, electric, Green Car, hybrid car, The Aptera
Filed under Clean Environment, Green Car, The Aptera |

13 Responses to “Ladies and gentlemen, next year’s green car – The Aptera!”

Arnold Says:
November 26th, 2007 at 07:24
WOW! Maybe one day when I’m big…
Psychotic Cow Says:
November 26th, 2007 at 09:26
Oooh that’s loverly. I’d change the colour of the upholstery though, that yellow so isn’t meshing well with my chi.
SheBee Says:
November 26th, 2007 at 10:12
That is the stupidest looking car I’ve ever seen.
Ed Carson Says:
November 26th, 2007 at 11:40
Speaking of flying, reminds me of Blade Runner, my favourite movie.
esvl Says:
November 26th, 2007 at 15:16
That is one sweet car. I think I’ve seen it last night on Futuristic cars or something.
Richard Catto Says:
November 27th, 2007 at 07:01
Oh snap! Blade Runner is one of my favourite movies too.
Richard Catto Says:
November 27th, 2007 at 07:19
I’ve often wondered if some day cars do fly, how would that work?

I think the whole journey would have to be made on auto-pilot, because otherwise I think it would be completely chaotic.
Ed Carson Says:
November 27th, 2007 at 14:09
Doesn’t have to be chaotic. There’d be lanes and all, even traffic lights, just that we wouldn’t be able to see it, but the cars would have sensors, they can pick it all up. I know a few people in top universities working on such research. I hear Toyota is at the forefront of the research.
Richard Catto Says:
November 27th, 2007 at 19:26
No traffic lights. That’s the whole beauty of THREE dimensions of manoeuvre. You just go straight to your destination without stopping.

What I hate about driving the most is having to stop, and also other drivers who needlessly hinder my advance, by blocking my way, when they could move out of the way.
Ed Carson Says:
November 27th, 2007 at 21:11
Actually, I do like traffic stops. That’s when you look around you to see if there’s anyone willing to ‘race’ you when the light turns green.
Ed Carson Says:
November 27th, 2007 at 21:13
Still, imaginary traffic lights would have to come in at some point when these flying cars become reasonably priced and affordable for most people who can afford regular cars (more cars == more traffic).
Richard Catto Says:
November 27th, 2007 at 21:58
In three dimensions, traffic lights aren’t needed. It’s the same as flying an aircraft.

When an airplane needs to wait to land at a busy airport, they fly a holding pattern.

The question is do the the flying cars have a human pilot or are they flown by autopilot? Or perhaps a combination?

I would imagine that only a few people would be able to qualify as pilots. Or do you think that almost anyone can fly if they receive training?
Ed Carson Says:
November 27th, 2007 at 22:07
The idea is to have it on autopilot, with the option of switching it off (guess only those who have a special license would be allowed to do that). As for the traffic, there are quite a few creative ideas around, a radar system that would detect and analyse traffic would be a nice one to implement.