Why not many people like the shape of Aptera?

[LQUAN]

I personally love the low drag design of this car - including my best friend who has the similar educational background and interests. I would be pround driving around in this car. I have shown Aptera website to my wife and almost all my friends. Sadly, everyone thinks this car looks too weird and they would never buy this car. My wife said that she would be embarass to be the first few driving in this car. They all said this car would draw too much attention and hate to pause for repeating questions from people on the streets. Some said that they will reconsider buying this car once the public get tire of seing them on the streets. Some said that they will only consider buying this car after 2016 (Dubai oil analysts announced that their country oil production will drop sharply after 2016. Saudi Arabia would be in the same delima but did not want to admit it, yet.)

[KarenRei]

I've never found a person who's neutral on how the Aptera looks :) Everyone either seems to love it or hate it. I tend to find those groups in about equal volumes. All of my family who's seen it loves it, as does my partner, as do my friends. But we're all geeks. I've seen a fair number of people posting on forums who hate it. It's just one of those things. Perhaps its a car for sci-fi nuts who want to look like they're driving a spaceship. ;)

As for when various countries peak, that's pretty irrelevant unless nobody can forecast the peak far enough in advance to start new production elsewhere. While the era of conventional crude will be declining soon, there's no shortage of syncrude sources (ultra-heavy crude production, bitumen production, coal liquefaction, and even oil shale) out there. They're expensive (although profitable at current prices, with the exception of shale), and they're very dirty, but they work.

[RoxChkPlusOny]

I have two particular less-geeky friends who have very contrasting opinions. One was mostly neutral, saying the car looks novel and efficient, and thus approved. The other chided me for its two seats (versus three, since we usually travel in packs of three) and how the car looks "like an insect." I got a kick out of that one :)

[Brian]

I have had a few women laugh at the car at work. I don't really care, it will be a lot of fun riding around. And yes, I expect to be stopped by just about anyone and everyone. I can't wait!



OT: Does this thing come with an alarm?

[LQUAN]

As soon as I showed my wife this car, she said it reminds her of the featherback fish that she cooks for us once in a while.

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile5.html

:) :) :)

[The Bat Cave]

Actually, I plan to just print up info sheets to hand out to people who come up and ask me about the car. That way, I won't get trapped into explaining the concept over and over.

[c0mp13x]

Why not many people like the shape of Aptera?
Because it's different. You know that. Generally, people don't like change, they are most comfortable with what they know; what they are familiar with.

It takes a few, brave visionaries to see something different for it's unique beauty and advantages, not just it's differences. The Aptera is a pretty different vehicle: pod-like, 2.5 seats, 3 wheels with outboard front wheels and an electric drivetrain.

It will take awhile for the general public to become accustomed to the look of the Aptera, but I do think it will eventually become popular. I like it, you like it, and that is what is important to Mr. Fambro and his staff...

http://media.techeblog.com/images/aptera_6.jpg

[Chupacabra]

I like the looks, and don't mind the attention. It'd wager probably safer too, I'd think they're less likely to run into a car they can't help noticing is there vs. making a lane change into random drudge car #124812948 they didn't notice.

I'd think that they will be able to come out with a 3-seater version with the driver up front and 2 rear seats, kind of like a triangle. A 4-seater might be a "diamond" seating configuration. I'd really prefer a 3 or 4 seater but I'm really into this car, so I put down my reserve..

[KarenRei]

The way I look at it, this car is about as close to "optimum efficiency" as is physically possible in a two-seater vehicle. Li-ion batteries are over 99% efficient, electric motors over 90% efficient, and it's almost impossible to make a streetlegal car with a drag coefficient less than 0.11 -- plus, it has low cross-sectional area, and so on. It could get a bit lighter as battery tech advanced, but A) one could always upgrade their Aptera, and B) that'd be more important for accel/decel and low speed operation. The way I look at it, the Typ-1e is as close to energy-efficient perfection as you're going to see any time soon.

Sure, Aptera will come up with a 4 or 5 seater next as their Typ-2 -- they've talked about it -- but I don't see how they can match the efficiency numbers of this car. Hence, I want this one :) If, in the future, I can afford replacing my other gasoline car and Aptera has a Typ-2, I'll get a second Aptera for when I need more space, but for commuting to work or running errands, I'd always prefer the Typ-1.

[basjoos]

I drive an aerodynamic unconventional looking car and I've certainly gotten my share of attention and strange looks from other motorists. I imagine it will be similar when driving the Aptera, at least until they become common sights on the road. Here's a few of the situations I have run into:

The biggest problem will be the gawkers in other cars, often equipped with cell phone cameras. They'll often sit in the lane next to you staring at your car while traffic piles up behind them. Every once in a while you'll get someone swerving into your lane as they pass you if they are one of those people who unconsciously turn their steering wheel in the same direction that they are looking at. The other swerver is the guy who is trying to get just the right picture of your car. They gradually drift further and further from you in the next lane as they try to get far enough back to fit your car into their viewfinder. Then suddenly they realize that they are heading into the median or into the path of opposing traffic and swerve back into their (and hopefully not into your) lane. Also be prepared for the occasional camera flash in the night from passing cars. One time when driving at dusk, one guy paced me for 5 miles in the interstate until I turned on my lights, then he got his picture and drove on. But one nice thing is that road rage is practically non-existant as other motorists are too busy staring at your car to be thinking of acting badly (it jolts them out of the usual behavior patterns they typically follow while driving).

The other form of attention you will garner is that of your local constabulary. I've had a number of cops pull me over for trivial reasons, then after they give back my driver's licence and registration papers they will get down to the real reason they pulled me over, "What's with the funny looking car?" After I answered their questions about the car and satisfied their curiousity, I've always driven off without a ticket or warning. I was once pulled over by a cop who was honest about his reason for pulling me over. He said "You haven't done anything wrong, I just wanted to ask you some questions about the car". This dies down after a while once all of the local cops become familiar with your car.

And then there are the usual people who stop to ask you questions whenever you pull into a parking lot or gas station.

[catmando]

Actually, I plan to just print up info sheets to hand out to people who come up and ask me about the car. That way, I won't get trapped into explaining the concept over and over.Good idea.

[butter]

That's pretty funny, basjoos; I got a good chuckle out of your stories... Thanks!!

[Chupacabra]

Unless it's a cute girl, when I'm asked questions I intend on telling them...

"Shhh..... I'm only a scout, the actual invasion will be here soon"

[basjoos]

Unless it's a cute girl, when I'm asked questions I intend on telling them...

"Shhh..... I'm only a scout, the actual invasion will be here soon"

I once had a mechanic at a small Honda repair shop that I visited for parts say that when he saw my car silently coasting down their driveway with its engine off that it looked like the Martians were landing. With its 4 wheel wells covered, you can't see the tires easily and it looks like it is gliding/hovering down the road.

[davidrools]

I showed the car to my coworkers (also engineers) and they all thought it was funny looking. My boss said I'd "guarantee to remain a bachelor if I drove that thing" Fortunately I already have a girlfriend...who still doesn't believe I'm going to buy this thing.

I look forward to being "different"...not blending in with the oil drinking masses. Not being different for difference's sake, but with a purpose.

[davidrools]

I drive an aerodynamic unconventional looking car and I've certainly gotten my share of attention and strange looks from other motorists.

What car do you drive?

[LQUAN]

A gallon of unlead gasoline in Los Angeles (2/18/08) is currently at $3.60@87oct, $3.70@89oct, and $3.80@91oct. Wait until $3.60 become $4 late this year or early next year. People who laughs at Aptera now will be flocking to buy them.

[GCustom]

I was getting mad at $3.209 in a Prius here in South Carolina but now that puts things in perspective.

[basjoos]

What car do you drive?

I drive a 92 Civic CX that I have extensively modified to drop its Cd down to about 0.17. There's a picture of it in Off topic discussions > What do you currently drive?

[Matthijs]

A gallon of unlead gasoline in Los Angeles (2/18/08) is currently at $3.60@87oct, $3.70@89oct, and $3.80@91oct. Wait until $3.60 become $4 late this year or early next year. People who laughs at Aptera now will be flocking to buy them.

I was getting mad at $3.209 in a Prius here in South Carolina but now that puts things in perspective.

Well I live near Amsterdam in Europe and here we are paying $8,62 a US Gallon oct 95. It's just not funny anymore. That means for me I have to pay 10 Euro's for 100 km of travel. Or $15.77 for 62 miles! And I get this milage when driving very very conserative. I have a '92 1.8 4 cylinder Seat Toledo that weights around 1000kg.

[Chupacabra]

I've heard about the f*cked up prices in Europe.. but why are they so insane?

[thimel]

About half the price of gas in Europe is tax. That is why the price is so high. The US should do the same thing. That would get more people driving energy efficient cars and help reduce our oil consumption.

[Brian]

Can we get back on topic? I have had several people call the car a "Spermy car" Indicating it looks like a swimming sperm. That is not exactly how i would lke people to view the car. :D

[GCustom]

I hope we don't get there soon, ouch

where do people pay the most for petrol?
The least?

[futura]

Can we get back on topic? I have had several people call the car a "Spermy car" Indicating it looks like a swimming sperm. That is not exactly how i would lke people to view the car. :D

Brian, there's probably no shaking some folk's "first impressions".
Maybe you can come up with a standard menu of responses, uh...
Apologetic--"I'm sorry, I thought you liked sperm"
Pyschoanalytic--" Sooo, you see sperm? Tell me about that"
Televangelist--"Yaaay! Right from God's testicles!, can I get an Amen!"

..I'm out. Maybe others can help.

Or, get a can of spray paint and make it the "Orctera". Of course then they'll all say it looks "Shamu-ey".
23

Cheers.

[butter]

I can't decide if that looks like an adorable Shamu or if someone did an awful graffitti job on your car. har har

[gr8tfate]

I showed the car to my coworkers (also engineers) and they all thought it was funny looking. My boss said I'd "guarantee to remain a bachelor if I drove that thing" Fortunately I already have a girlfriend...who still doesn't believe I'm going to buy this thing.

I look forward to being "different"...not blending in with the oil drinking masses. Not being different for difference's sake, but with a purpose.


More power to you and the others like you that think outside the box. God, it's nice to read a forum where very few "followers" are on. It's refrreshing to read everyone's posts. It's people like you guys and gals that will inevitably push other manufacturers to produce more efficient cars. Thumbs up to the folks that see the glass "half full".

[IanO]

I can't decide if that looks like an adorable Shamu or if someone did an awful graffitti job on your car. har har

Heh. All it needs is a big toothy red open mouth at the front, like a WWII fighter plane.

Anyone up for a "Pimp my Aptera" thread? Yesterday I was thinking how cool a couple of those plasma discharge disks would look on the wheel fairings.

[LQUAN]

Did I hear WWII fighter aircraft with shark mouth?

Exellent idea. Shark mouth nose art is famous on the P-40E Warhawk. P-40E are used heavily in the Pacific War (movie Pearl Habor). I am currently build a 1/5 scale RC P-40E. Hopefully I can get it airborn by the end of this year.

If I get too many ridiculous coments regarding the appearance of my Aptera, I will seriously consider a shark mouth nose art.

[Chupacabra]

I've heard from a friend it looks like sperm.. if you wanted to make them uncomfortable and shut up or defend themselves just say "Wow, why do you keep seeing sperm wherever you go?"

The shamu or shark mouth thing might be kinda cool. I could see Sea World getting an EV and doing that. I'm hoping for a red one myself:)

[MarrInLA]

Actually, I plan to just print up info sheets to hand out to people who come up and ask me about the car. That way, I won't get trapped into explaining the concept over and over.

Very smart idea!

[MarrInLA]

OT: Does this thing come with an alarm?[/QUOTE]

I was wondering that too...I'm going to email Aptera & ask.

[MarrInLA]

When I first saw a clip of this car, maybe a yr ago, I thought it looked very
alien space-craft-y. But now that my attention was called to it again & I'm
reading all about it, I see how brillinat the design is & how well thought out
the car is in every aspect. I'm in love!!! LOL!:D