2/5/09 - User: Anthony - Pictures from Long Beach

[admin]

Here are Anthony's Photos from last night. He got some really great shots of the 2e that no one has seen before.

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/2.JPG


http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/4.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/5.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/6.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/7.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/8.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/9.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/10.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/11.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/12.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/13.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/14.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/15.JPG


http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/17.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/18.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/19.JPG


http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/21.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/22.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/23.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/24.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/25.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/26.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/27.JPG


http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/29.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/30.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/31.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/32.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/33.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/34.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/35.JPG
CEO Paul Wilbur on the Left - Anthony in the Middle (I assume) - ?

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/36.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/37.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/38.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/39.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/40.JPG


http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/42.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/43.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/44.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/45.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/46.JPG


http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/50.JPG


http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/52.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/53.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/54.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/55.JPG

http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/59.JPG

If you got any pictures from last night please send me a PM, so I can post them for you.

Also Moderators please feel free to put captions under these pictures if you'd like.

[randyd]

Good news! It looks like the rubber door gasket will divert roof rainwater!

[Anthony]

Good news! It looks like the rubber door gasket will divert roof rainwater!

Yes, I agree. It looks like the water will run along the top of the black rubber seal and down the front or back of the door opening (not on to you).

Admin,
Thanks for posting my pictures, but maybe we should edit out some of them, like half. For example, replace the three tail light pics with the stitched panorama. And get ride of duplicate shots.

One of the pictures was supposed to show that you CAN see the right pod from the driver's seat, making me feel much better. But the flash made the outside too dark. Sorry about that.

[admin]

Here is the Panorama of the tail
http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/pan1.JPG
For Twice this size:
http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/pan1-2.JPG
For Four times this size:
http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/pan1-4.JPG

[Apt3448]

Nice to see you yesterday, anthony! :wavey: And great work in Long Beach. I saw you measuring, shooting pix and harassing Paul, which allowed me to just enjoy the view and chat with other folks and sneak in a question or two. And look what it got you: your own personal thread! :doublethumbs:

[Apt3448]

Perhaps nobody else cares about this image, but I do! (yes, it is me sitting in the 2e, image courtesy of Bakersfield 2482). Head room for me at 6'2", as well as the cap. Sufficient legroom, but as butter observed, the steering wheel is rather low. It tilts, but currently it tilts from too low to fairly low. They are obviously aware of that and it will change. Getting in and out is not a big deal, but currently the doors open not all that far, creating a kind of awning, which is a tad low, as also observed by butter. That, too, will change.

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4688/rob1sez7.jpg

[Aptera#1434]

Man, you lucky dogs- getting to at least sit in the vehicle :jumping0001:

Do I detect about 3" of play between the bottom to the center screen and the top of the steering system, thereby it could be raised?

Was that picture indicating the steering the low position?

[Apt3448]

Man, you lucky dogs- getting to at least sit in the vehicle :jumping0001:

Do I detect about 3" of play between the bottom to the center screen and the top of the steering system, thereby it could be raised?

Was that picture indicating the steering the low position?

It was a great experience, and not only because of being able to sit in it. To see the thing is for real, to hear the sounds, touch and smell, the vehicle. But I didn't think of licking it until later :tongue0011: And all the people from Aptera going out of their way to be helpful. How often do you see the lead designer and he CEO and a bunch of others showing up in the patio of a sports bar to present a prototype?! :thumbsup:

This was with the steering wheel in the HIGH position, hence my reference to them being obviously aware. Not sure how much it could be raised, but in principle it could come forward, too, after which it could be raised quite a bit.

[Aptera#1434]

It was a great experience, and not only because of being able to sit in it. To see the thing is for real, to hear the sounds, touch and smell, the vehicle. But I didn't think of licking it until later :tongue0011: And all the people from Aptera going out of their way to be helpful. How often do you see the lead designer and he CEO and a bunch of others showing up in the patio of a sports bar to present a prototype?! :thumbsup:

This was with the steering wheel in the HIGH position, hence my reference to them being obviously aware. Not sure how much it could be raised, but in principle it could come forward, too, after which it could be raised quite a bit.

I am encouraged by Josh's video, with Steve Fambro stating that the final version of the vehicle on their computer is 6 month ahead of what was presented at the TED showing. So, I guess we will have to wait for real specifics.

Info is coming in so fast lately it is hard to keep up with the posts :thumbsup:

[SEGsby]

Friends of mine saw these pics over dinner tonight, and commented that the car looks like a space craft, about to lift off; blazing tail lights and all. Even the lighting in the patio helps give the effect of an amazingly appropriate star field...

Sleekly gorgeous images. The real thing is so much better than the flat CGI renderings we've been staring at, for what seems like forever.

Thanks for sharing these! :thumbsup:

[Aptera #1159]

Much better pictures than I have. My camera ran out about 2 minutes after I got there. Many can attest to this fact. :(

[jstdadd]

Look, guys, I appreciate the pix here - but I humbly request that you post links to a public high-performance site (flickr would be the best.) Basic flickr accounts are free, and just post all your Aptera pix in a single photostream. If you named that account with the same name as your Aptera Forum name, that would allow simple attribution to you, as well.

You can choose the Creative Commons license that fits your needs and the Aptera Forum servers do not have to spool megabytes of multimedia content every couple of minutes. I don't care if you leave pix here - heck, I don't exactly own the forum - but it is very useful to not have to send an email to someone with a link to a page that has 10-20 photos that they have to wait to download and render on their computer or cell phone (esp. at work, where some corporate filters limit MegaBytes per unit of time.)

So, simply put - a link to a content provider (flickr, please?) off this forum would be greatly appreciated.

[Ardie3301]

Here is the Panorama of the tail
http://www.apteraforum.com/images/_anthony/pan1.JPG



I dimly remember that there was a law a long, long time ago against having any other colored lights on a motor vehicle except red or amber. No blue, no green, no violet, etc. Punks used to get busted when they modified their taillights to have a sapphire blue button lens in the center. Not sure if the same goes for green (anymore).

Truckers seem to do it all the time with all kinds of color position marker lights, especially during Christmastime, but that was a modification, not a factory lighting scheme.

If this rule still holds, Aptera may get away with their green glowing logo on hood/fender and on the trunklid as they are not readily visible to other drivers, but a green lamp facing directly to the rear may not work out. A simple white "e" without the green background will do, though.

-- Ardie

[Matthijs]

Why not make the "e" into a white back-up light? Then they can spare the extra back-up light that was on the Typ-1 and is gonna return on the Typ-2.

[scottsim]

really like the green "e", too small for a backup light, hope it stays.....

S

[Matthijs]

really like the green "e", too small for a backup light, hope it stays.....

S

Too small? Have you seen the "original" back-up light?

http://solartaxi.blueblog.ch/files/images/2008/7/mob915_1217398140.jpg

[speculawyer]

You can choose the Creative Commons license that fits your needs and the Aptera Forum servers do not have to spool megabytes of multimedia content every couple of minutes. I don't care if you leave pix here - heck, I don't exactly own the forum - but it is very useful to not have to send an email to someone with a link to a page that has 10-20 photos that they have to wait to download and render on their computer or cell phone (esp. at work, where some corporate filters limit MegaBytes per unit of time.)

Well . . . you could just not click on the "ApteraForum User Submitted Photos" when in a situation that is bandwidth limited. BTW, the forum servers don't host the pics so they are stressed.

[aptrSD2e]

Anthony-

I just have to mention the fact that you should be very lucky you were allowed to take these pictures, let alone get the interview. I was standing right next to you (Actually next in line to sit inside the Aptera!) when we were told we couldn't sit inside the vehicle anymore. Although I was disappointed, I completely understood. After the gentleman from Aptera explained his reasons, I sat back and realized just how many people were climbing in and out of this expensive pre-production Aptera. You on the other hand, didn't quite understand, due to the fact I watched you sneak into the drivers seat and take a picture. (Yes, the one on the forum) Really? Why would you disrespect Aptera like that? After I watched the same gentleman who told you to please not sit in the vehicle ask you to get out, I sat back and thought about it...Maybe this is why Aptera hasn't held many public events? I would love Aptera to continue to provide sneak peaks of each improved Aptera...hopefully this action does not reflect poorly on those who hold Aptera in the highest regards, and even if it's just touching and seeing, to be happy with that privilege and not take advantage. Aptera if you are listening, please keep the events coming! (San Diego please!)

PS- Oh, and by the way, the gentleman from Aptera actually came up to me later and thanked me for being understanding and patient, and then told me once the crowd dies down, I could sit inside!

[Bakersfield2482]

So, simply put - a link to a content provider (flickr, please?) off this forum would be greatly appreciated.

As many of you know, the pictures I took are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/35116432@N02/

Enjoy!

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

The thing I find frustrating about Flickr is there is no easy way to browse once you have opened a higher resolution picture. You have to keep going back to the main page, which takes at least 2 steps.

[Matthijs]

Maybe you want to try cooliris. http://www.cooliris.com/ this way you can browse flickr very fast.

[jstdadd]

Hi,

The thing I find frustrating about Flickr is there is no easy way to browse once you have opened a higher resolution picture. You have to keep going back to the main page, which takes at least 2 steps.

Install the CoolIris (free) picture browser. When you open a set or a photostream on Flickr, you can browse through the whole set or stream at once, with a UI similar to the iPhone. The TED conference pix (thousands) can be browsed in a couple of minutes. When you double-click on a pic, you are given the greater resolution view auto-magically. Hit <Esc> to return to the previous resolution, and then click on the 'wall' to jump ahead. You get a 'wall of photos' view that is easy to scan through. The App pre-loads the 6-8 pics you are viewing at any moment from Flickr. Very nice!

http://www.cooliris.com

[hill]

Perhaps nobody else cares about this image, but I do! (yes, it is me sitting in the 2e, image courtesy of Bakersfield 2482). Head room for me at 6'2", as well as the cap. Sufficient legroom, but as butter observed, the steering wheel is rather low. It tilts, but currently it tilts from too low to fairly low. They are obviously aware of that and it will change. Getting in and out is not a big deal, but currently the doors open not all that far, creating a kind of awning, which is a tad low, as also observed by butter. That, too, will change.



If you don't mind me asking (since I'M about 3+ inches taller) ~ what's your inseam? That'll let me know how my torso will ride in the seats, and what my head clearance will be, as my inseam is 36". Thanks!

[gkra]

If you don't mind me asking (since I'M about 3+ inches taller) ~ what's your inseam? That'll let me know how my torso will ride in the seats, and what my head clearance will be, as my inseam is 36". Thanks!

I'm wondering this, too. I'm 6'4" with a 34" inseam, and it's hard for me to fit comfortably in any car (though my Acura is the best so far.) :)

[Anthony]

I'm 6' 4" and my inseam is 36" and I fit, but just. When I sat back, the tips of my hair just touched the ceiling. I could bend forward without hitting the ceiling, so I'm ok with the headroom. (there is a picture of me shaking hands with Scott, and you can see there is plenty of headroom) However, it wasn't the ceiling that concerned me, it was the large frame around the door being just a few inches to the left of my head. Because of the round shape, the ceiling drops off as you get close to the door. If you should hit a bump with the left tire, it seems to me ones head might hit the frame above the door. It is padded, so it wont hurt, but it was very close. It's something to get used to. I think I will be bending my head to the right when I bouncing up my dirt road.
Hear is my take on the headroom of this protptype:
If you are
Under 6'-0" - There is plenty of room for you.
6'-0" to 6'-3' - It's ok, but a little tight.
6'-4" - You better not be claustrophobic, because the wall and ceiling are right there.
6'-5" - Your hair is going to rub on the ceiling while you dive.
6'-6" - You will probably have to lean to the right while driving.
6'-7" - No way.

Aptera talked about a seat modification for tall people a long time ago. So maybe there is hope for the 6-6 and 6-7 people out there, but it is a small car.

[Anthony]

A note about getting in and out. It seems that many people had problems. My wife and I started laughing when we watched person after person hit their head on the door when they got out.
However, I had no problems getting my leg under the steering wheel and I didn't hit my head while getting out.
I shot this very dark video of a big guy (the owner of the Smooth's Sports Grille I believe) getting in and out. I think it was his first time and he did a great job. He wanted to put the seat back once he was in, but he did not struggle with his leg nor did he hit his head.
So it is possible for first-times to do it right.

Getting in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_NIpXveJTI

Getting out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHvdBC20HWI

[aptera1213]

i have a friend who is 6'7" and surprisingly he loves the mini...he tells me it fits him better than any other car he has driven

[thimel]

Anthony,

I'm 6'7" so you've got me worried. My in-seam is 40" though so perhaps my torso is not much higher than yours. Could you please do me a favor. Sit on a hard surface and have someone carefully measure the distance from the top of the bench to the top of your head. I'll do the same and then I'll have a better idea if I fit.

Thanks.

[Anthony]

thimel,
When I sit on my desk with my back against the wall (at a 90 degree angle) the top of my head is 36-1/2" height if I sit normally (slouching). When I sit up straight I can reach 39" high.
Don’t worry too much yet. It seem that Aptera has moved the batteries under the seats which means they could allow the seat to recline more in the production model. With only a few more degrees of reclining, it should give us tall people a few more inches of headroom. There appeares to be another 6" along the ceiling behind your head before you get to the frame. That 6" could be used to slide the whole seat back or recline more. In either case, it might accommodate you, but I hope you don’t mind being in small places.
P.S. I don’t know how the Mini does it. There seems to be tons of room inside that car for some reason. Can you fit inside a low to the ground sports cars?

[Anthony]

This is a picture of me (6'-4") in the prototype. The seat is all the way back and against the back compartment.

http://www.windways.org/aptera/just15more.JPG

The seat is relatively upright, and that is why my head is near the ceiling. If the compartment was angled back another 15 degrees, there would be a lot more headroom for people with long spins. People with longer legs then me will already be ok because your knees can go on either side of the steering wheel.

BTW, In this picture, my forehead is about 1" from the door frame and I am not leaning towards it. I just turned my head as you would to look for traffic. (I am so glad they put padded on it)

[MarrInLA]

Didn't get there til 10:30pm so I guess I missed Anthony...

Glad there will only be ONE video in the rear view mirror not 3....that did
sound like it would be confusing.

The front wheels look much closer than we thought AND Sean said they are
going to be coming in a little more. They are able to do that cuz they moved the batteries up thus changing the center of gravity.

The door lifted in an odd way, I kept bumping my head on it. The way it hinges is going to change a bit & they say it will clear the vehicle next to you tho some parking slots in LA are tight!

The pics from Wed made the back end look reeeeally long....in person it does
not look longer than it should be.

The luggage area looked really HIGH to me...far less space, very narrow...Sean said that was going to drop 1 1/2 inchs, Paul said it will drop
8 inchs...I hope Paul is right.

In the hybrid (maybe u guys already know this?) the 3 gallon gas tank will be
in the rear tire hull!

Paul said once they start production in Oct they will be able to produce many
quickly, they go together pretty easily....the hard part has been tweaking & tweaking it.

The back side windows are going to be enlarged, to let more light in.

Most small cars, when passed by a truck, really feel it....in this, u won't
feel it at all, due to the aerodynamically correct shape.

It's about 14 ft long in total. Some pics make the back end look really
long but it's not excessively long.

By law they had to put side mirrors on, which are narrow & sleak.

When u knock on it, it sounds VERY solid.

The batteries ARE lithium Ion, they wont say yet where they're
getting em from.

They are now stating the price at 25-40k instead of 29, 500. And EVERYTHING will be an extra --the solar panels on the roof, power windows, gps, radio, cruise control. Doesn't make alot of sense to have it w/o these options so that was a surprise...that it's going to really be more like 40k.

It's wild looking, but it's cool!! :-) I had a hard time leaving it, LOL!
After having a deposit on it for almost a year & finally seeing it, I
felt some separation anxiety upon trying to leave!!!

Environmentally,
Marr

[customdavid]

They are now stating the price at 25-40k instead of 29, 500. And EVERYTHING will be an extra --the solar panels on the roof, power windows, gps, radio, cruise control. Doesn't make alot of sense to have it w/o these options so that was a surprise...that it's going to really be more like 40k.



If you look at the brochure that they handed out (I uploaded PDF copy to forum) you will see that only DVD navigation, backup camera and anti theft as options. All the others you mention are standard.

Are you saying that they told you something different, or is your thoughts?

[ciege]

I'm not sure this was ever asked or answered.............

The Aptera 'internet connectivity'...........thru AT&T , Verizon, etc....????
I assume there would be monthly charges much like the GM 'On-Star' ?

[Anthony]

Look, guys, I appreciate the pix here - but I humbly request that you post links to a public high-performance site
Sorry it took me so long, but I finally did as you said and uploaded the full-res version to:

picasaweb.google.com/anthonymack/Aptera2eInLongBeach (http://picasaweb.google.com/anthonymack/Aptera2eInLongBeach)

[Green Dragonfly~Member]

I've had a reservation for a year and a half... my heart jumps when I see pics, yet I have none to share with family and/or post on my website (or use as my icon). Does anyone have jpgs that they will share?

[c0mp13x]

Does anyone have jpgs that they will share?
There are lots of JPGs at the Aptera Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aptera

:thumbsup: