8/30/08 - 11 Green Cars With 3 Wheels - trendhunter.com

[A1phaGeek]

http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/3-wheel-electric-car

This is the Aptera electric car, it is a three-wheeled electric car but what makes it different from other electric car, the thing is that it has a drag coefficient of 0.11 which means it is extremely slippery it has a 230mpg while driving at 55mph, they also claim that it can go from 0 to 60 in just 10 second.

[Carbon Saver II]

Interesting how many have the rear wheel open in the back. Every watch F1 or formula cars in the rain? The roster tail of water throw up by that rear tire can chase the car. Can't imagine it helps cd, but have no data on that.

Some interesting comcepts....

[speculawyer]

meh . . . most seem to be vaporware.

I like the quote from the ZAP person "Everyone that has seen the Alias wants to buy one." . . . . well, since no one has actually seen a real Alias. ;)

[speednut]

meh . . . most seem to be vaporware.

I like the quote from the ZAP person "Everyone that has seen the Alias wants to buy one." . . . . well, since no one has actually seen a real Alias. ;)

ZAP stuff sure has been a big disappointment from once canceled BIG project to another. I'd hardly call their very cheap looking delta trike toys revolutionary. :sick0020:

There was a guy at the local Whole Foods promoting the TRIAC that's listed in the link. He stated that they will be selling actual vehicles this month. Fugly critter, that TRIAC. :rolleye0003:

Santana Row Cars and Coffee this Saturday had a Tesla present. They parked it right next to my buddy's Exige. The funny thing is how identical the interior is from the Tesla to the Exige. I know Lotus is buiding the rolling chassis for Tesla, but I assumed they'd upscale it some, especially for the extra $60-70k. Sit in a Lotus Exige/Elise and you'll know exactly what the interior of a Tesla looks like.

[n_dawg]

I'm really encouraged to see Tesla succeeding in this area. I hope Aptera is as successful in its niche as well, but they're so distinct that I don't think one follows from the other. Only time will tell, but if people remain as desperate for high fuel economy vehicles as they are now (thanks Big Three), I'm optimistic.

BTW, hilarious sig, speednut! Some hybrid ragers I think actually believe that tho…

[Carbon Saver II]

Tesla = modern Shelby Cobra

Take a Britsh body and chassis and put a different power plant in it. Same strategy different time.

At the Monterey Historics on Sunday there was a Tesla with Manufacturer plates and directly in front was a Lotus. The car guys with me had not heard of the Tesla, but sure recognized the Lotus parts.... especially when parked so near by.

If remember the Moon Eyes, colors of yellow, black and white, Dean Moon was the person who actually did Carroll Shelby's first transplant of a Ford engine into the Britsh AC Bristol, who had lost its engines due to an aircraft company going out of business. Or so the story goes....

The Sunbeam Tiger was a contract for Shelby to fulfill, and after he was late had told Ken Miles, one of his lead drivers, to get it done in a weekend. Ken did, I saw the original, and the firewall was beat back to fit the engine, and it had a two speed automatic to get the smallest transmission possible.

Why the trip down memory lane, because it shows how much more has to be done today, then just slamming an engine into a vehicle to make a difference. Whether it should take millions to do seems like the old days were more cost effective.

[Dolphyn]

Hmm, I wonder why the Venture One (http://www.flytheroad.com/) was omitted from the list of green 3-wheelers.

[gg222]

You see the cover of Sept. Popular Science? Some kind of 3 wheel concept bike that you kind of wear, I guess. Just looks too cool. If I can find a picture of it, I'll post it.

http://www.gizmowatch.com/entry/exoskeleton-like-yamaha-branded-deus-ex-machina-motorcycle-concept-makes-you-look-like-alien-bot/

A video:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1735797252/bctid1729330625

[G-Jet]

Ventures website is offline. Either they are re-launching, or de-launching.

G

[Dolphyn]

The main site http://www.flytheroad.com works for me, although the forum is offline right now.

[curbowman]

Right you are, Dolphyn. I'm in the Venture One forum and it's been down quite some time. Too bad, since the tilting concept has already been proven by the Carver One.

[johnvall]

Any news from Aptera? Did they finish the crash test? Is it production schedules as promised? By now we should have at least some official acknowledgement.