The Aptera Typ-1
What do you see above: 1) a stock model of a racecar from the up-coming Speed Racer movie, 2) a Big Three concept car that will never see the light of day, or 3) a boutique production car that carries a price tag in the high six figures? If you answered “none of the above”, you’re correct. The stylish, smart vehicle above is not only months away from production, but will fit into your personal garage for under $30,000. The story doesn’t end there– this green vehicle averages 300 MPG on 100+ mile trips and can achieve upwards of 1,000 MPG on local errands. Sound too good to be true? Continue reading for more information on the revolutionary Aptera Typ-1.
The Aptera Typ-1 is the brainchild of Aptera’s founder, Steve Fambro. Six years ago, Fambro set out to develop an ultra-economic, stylish vehicle that would later become the Typ-1, a three-wheeled two passenger vehicle. Today, the Aptera Typ-1 is months away from market, poised to deliver some stunning performance and economy figures. What are these details that this vehicle promises so boldly?
- A price tag under $30,000. The Aptera Typ-1e electric model will cost $26,900. The Typ-1h plug-in hybrid model will run $29,900.
- 300 MPG fuel economy. The Aptera Typ-1h, the plug-in hybrid model, allows for an extended travel range by integrating the gasoline hybrid component to the standard electric motor. After around 50 miles of travel, the Typ-1h will begin to cycle in the gasoline combustion engine to power the electric motor. While travel under 50 miles will likely not require the gas engine duty cycle, the Aptera Typ-1h can exceed 1,000 miles per gallon.
- $1 - $2 per overnight charge. Should you choose the Typ-1e model (or need to charge the Typ-1h), the standard electricity costs of an overnight charge will cost between one and two dollars. This is based on southern California consumer electricity rates in the present day. A full charge will require 2-4 hours.
- 0-60 mph in under 10 seconds. The Aptera Typ-1 will easily take a Prius from the line. The Aptera is clocked to reach 60 mph from a standing start in under 10 seconds, with a top speed of around 85 mph.
- A Long List of Standard Features. The Typ-1 isn’t short on standard-level, luxury class features. Both models include a CD/MP3/DVD/XM media center, a GPS system, rear view cameras with three dash-mounted LCDs, and an air-conditioning system that continues Aptera’s green-conscious approach. Specifically, the Typ-1’s solar-assisted climate control which is powered by solar cells mounted on the roof. Add an RFID-based keyless entry and ignition, you’ve got a luxury class vehicle beyond its eco-conscious core.
The are a handful of drawbacks to the Aptera Typ-1. First, the Typ-1 is presently only DOT approved in the state of California, where Aptera is classified as a motorcycle manufacturer and can legally register VINs. Since the Aptera is a three-wheeled vehicle, it is classified as a motorcycle regardless of its two-passenger enclosed cabin. Eventually, Aptera will extend its offering to the rest of the 50 United States and later Europe. For now, Aptera has decided to focus on its southern California customers as they do not yet have a service infrastructure to handle nationwide demand.
If you’re lucky enough to live in southern California, you can reserve your very own Typ-1 online at Aptera.com for $500. The first Typ-1 is scheduled to roll off the assembly line in late 2008 on a first-reserve, first-serve basis. If you’re in that neighborhood, it’d be hard not to plop down $500 for a promise to own your very own Aptera Typ-1. If you’re not nearby, you may just want to establish residency…
You can learn plenty more about the Aptera Typ-1 on the Aptera website. Stay tuned to GearCrave as well, we’ll be sure to keep you up-to-date on the Aptera Typ-1, including photos, videos, interviews and more as they come available. Want to stay up-to-date? Subscribe to the GearCrave RSS feed for news on the Aptera Typ-1 and more from the ultimate buyers guide for men on the web. For now, go ahead and reserve yourself an Aptera Typ-1…
Reserve for $500.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:09AM
[...] Delivery is in 2008 and you can reserve yours now for $500 from the Aptera 1 Site. [GearCrave.com] [...]
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 11:34AM
Interesting engineering workout but not all that new. Use of too wide fret around glass openings is not attractive and fret around windshield does not correlate well with side glass & fret. Designer tried to make too much of a meal out of the headlamp area instead of treating it as an aerodynamic shape that would enhance the overall design - this workout interferes instead of aids the overall theme. Further, the designer should add a crisp character line (such as at center of hood running and fading out before cowl) to revlieve the vehicle being overall too soft.
The interior disregards the need for knee impact restraint under the instrument panel. Also, the cluster atop the instrument panel, in a binacle, is not properly integrated into the overall design of the I/P itself. Why the instruments, including GPS or whatever camera screen, aren’t made to flow properly into the design is a mystery. Also, the parts shown on the instrument panel all have the look of JC Whitney after market parts that are probably cheap.
Automotive interior designers always try to make the interior look where the occupants might touch it or be impacted into it in a crash. This does not do that. Some Japanese products still haven’t caught on to this.
The steering wheel is another reheat of old design themes. Too bad. Citroen started this sort of thing back in the 1950s and theirs was better. I’d suggest the designer keep working on what he has started with the steering wheel as he has an opportunity to pull off something really nice with the proportions seen so far.
The door trim panels don’t provide the driver or passenger with any storage nor do they take advantage of the space to permit a deeper rest area for one’s arm or a map pocket - or even a cup holder. Why not??? Further, like the instrument panel, the segments of the door just look “stuck on” like the pieces of the instrument panel. Further, the door trim panels look bland.
The exterior side view is interesting and a continuation of other themes of this type. Difficult to make work in various views, like a three quarter front view which may make the designer want to re-configure that area from a flat horizontal plane to a different aero shape.
The “A” pillar (that support pillar between the windshield and door glass) needs to be better developed. Currently it risks looking like a “dogbone” shape which is what all auto designers avoid like the plague. I suspect the side view that is shown has the door up to show the entry into the interior and also disguise the “dogbone” I think I see in the “A” pillar shape.
I’ve spent about 5 minutes doing a real fast Photoshop rework of the front three quarter view and interior to support these statements. I’ll forward them to this website for inclusion with this commentary if it is thought beneficial.
Phillip E. Payne
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 10:47PM
Wow, those are really well thought out comments and criticisms. Personally I’d love to see the changes you propose, if you don’t mind posting them. You could always post them to flickr or photobucket if you need hosting space.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 10:51PM
By the way, here’s the webpage of the designer: http://designby11.com/
Monday, December 17, 2007 12:41AM
[...] the Philips Norelco Arcitec, and the sweet deal we posted on a 1 terabyte hard drive, but the Aptera Typ-1 takes the cake with a running start. A tabletized PC, the ultimate shave, and a shitload of storage [...]
Friday, May 16, 2008 12:29PM
[...] can run up to 50 miles without switching on its combustion engine once (much like our friends at Aptera). We sat down for an interview with the founder and namesake of Fisker Automobiles, Mr. Henrik [...]