26/4/10 - Aptera SO-1 at the Automotive x-Prize.

[Matthijs]

KVJPZ81OGZQ
Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVJPZ81OGZQ)

[NeilBlanchard]

A new paint job! The hood hinges at the front. It's number 32?

The other cars in the clip are pretty vanilla -- and I don't know what they are? Does anybody recognize them?

[G-Jet]

Not paint. Vinyl graphics. (sp?)

G

[Grendal]

That's the PP8 without the new wheel pants. I know it's the back up vehicle but it's still strange to see it there without the SO-1. I suppose the SO-1 is still en route.
:aptera:
The green graphics look nice. The other cars are definitely mainstream entries.

Edit: I think the closest steel colored car is the Global-E entry. The white car behind it is the American HyPower entry. Lastly, the silver car in the back looks like the BITW Tech entry.

[G-Jet]

"That's the PP8 without the new wheel pants". How so??? and nope, that is S01. Look at the rear hatch, rear window, and the area around the front wheel opening. Not PP8.

G

[palmer_md]

That's the PP8 without the new wheel pants. I know it's the back up vehicle but it's still strange to see it there without the SO-1. I suppose the SO-1 is still en route.

Hood, Hinges, Mirrors, Roll-down windows, roof mount rear hatch, rear side window shape. Plenty of SO clues.

[Grendal]

"That's the PP8 without the new wheel pants". How so??? and nope, that is S01. Look at the rear hatch, rear window, and the area around the front wheel opening. Not PP8.

G

Oops. You guys are right. It's the SO-1 without the wheel pants on.

[SEGsby]

Yeaup. Maybe there is hope they're redesigning them...

[Rembrant]

In a game where theoretically every once counts I have to wonder if this was ordered by the officials?

[palmer_md]

It's the SO-1 without the wheel pants on.

In a game where theoretically every once counts I have to wonder if this was ordered by the officials?

In the video with Flo, the PP car was in the background without the pants on. Makes me wonder if they are not allowed to use them for the race too. Thats got to be a pretty significant hit to the range/efficiency. Especially with the eggbeater wheels they put on the car. They'd be much better off with baby moon covers, or just a flat aluminum plate.

[jcodeglia]

I wonder if the pants and back wheel coverings are just off temporarily. They come off easy. Maybe they're applying graphics to those while detached. Or they're doing some other maintenance/prep. I guess we'll see...

[Antjel]

I wonder if the pants and back wheel coverings are just off temporarily. They come off easy. Maybe they're applying graphics to those while detached. Or they're doing some other maintenance/prep. I guess we'll see...

Could be cuz today they are doing safety inspections....

APRIL 26 – MAY 7, 2010: SHAKEDOWN STAGE (COMPETITION EVENT)
Location: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI
The purpose of this first stage is to conduct safety inspections and on-track dynamic safety evaluations of competition vehicles. Teams must submit their cars to on-the-ground challenges for the purpose of shaking out problem areas and preparing their vehicles for the Knockout Qualifying Stage that follows, all without risk of elimination by the judges. Vehicles will be tested on braking speed, lane change ability, acceleration and refueling/recharging time, among other elements.

Cheers,
Antjel

[Ardie3301]

Hmmm. Since the new wheel pants have side marker lights on them, that makes them a non-optional part of the vehicle. I'd say that they are required to be installed for the test.

-- Ardie

[NeilBlanchard]

The rear wheel fairing is also not on the vehicle -- they must just be off for transport... Why would they design it for ultimate aerodynamics, and then leave off some of the most important bits?

I'm sure they will be there!

[Antjel]

The rear wheel fairing is also not on the vehicle -- they must just be off for transport... Why would they design it for ultimate aerodynamics, and then leave off some of the most important bits?

I'm sure they will be there!


I was referring to the safety inspections. They could be inspecting brakes and waiting to put the pants on until it hits the track. Just a guess but if they are in the wherehouse to be inspected probably have to have them exposed.

[SEGsby]

Well, in the video there is a guy on the ground, on his knees right where the front wheel is, and everyone else is looking where the pants would go...

Suspension and brake testing make sense.

[Antjel]

Here's a shot from early this morning on the X-Prize Facebook site. Pants still off but I don't think they are testing against range or MPGe until June.

4/27 Early Morning shot on X-Prize FB (http://www.facebook.com/xprize?v=info#%21/photo.php?pid=3769668&id=59722944783&fbid=390996794783)

http://i44.tinypic.com/i50zfn.jpg

[plainar]

The biggest reason for redesigning the track width was so they didn't have to take the wheel pants off for transport. They missed the mark again or they just like taking their pants off.

[KarenRei]

Wouldn't that be a headline? "Aptera Management Decides To Take Pants Off At X-Prize Competition"

[PatQ562]

"Aptera Drops Pants to Win X-Prize"

Wouldn't that be a headline? "Aptera Management Decides To Take Pants Off At X-Prize Competition"

[SEGsby]

I have to say, I like the multi-colored look on the Aptera. The green and white is nice. Ties in well with the company Logo.

[NeilBlanchard]

I agree -- this will make it more palatable to more people, and it "camouflages" the more awkward bits and bulges. I hope the lower parts of the wheel fairings (that were black/dark gray) are now the same green?