'Active' Safety Features

[Thirdeye]

With all the concern about what happens when you get slammed by an SUV, I'm really curious what systems the Aptera will provide to allow an average driver the best chance of avoiding an accident in the first place.

While it is clear that the vehicle is light and should be quite nimble, I think that people today will be looking for at least some of the active safety systems found on today's modern cars. Especially since the asking price is reported to be just shy of 30K.

So far I've seen talk of 'traction control' from Aptera, but nothing official regarding ABS brakes (a must for a modern street car IMO) or possibly some form of electronic stability control.

Such systems would help to alleviate some of the apprehension that a three wheeled vehicle provokes for many people. I hope that the Aptera team will release more technical information soon.

[KarenRei]

Hmm.. thinking about it, even without power brakes, they could do ABS with the regenerative brake. That shouldn't be hard at all; I could even picture doing something like that aftermarket if it doesn't come standard. So I'd be surprised if it doesn't ship without at least limited ABS.

Anyways, ABS isn't a huge deal; it's not like it halves the risk of an accident or anything. In some cases (gravel, deep snow, etc), no ABS is better because it lets you plow up a pile ahead of you.

[KarenRei]

Darn, the forum ate my post. Well, I'm not going to bother to write out all the math again, but basically, the SUV risk is overstated. You crash a 1 1/2 ton car into an SUV head-on, and crash a 3/4 ton Aptera into the same SUV head-on, assuming an inelastic collision, the car only has something like 17% less G forces. Both have major G forces because SUVs are already big enough to trounce either of them. If you collide each into a 1 1/2 ton car instead of a 3 1/2 ton SUV, the Aptera has 33% more G forces. Of course, this doesn't account for the Aptera riding up and over, as it's designed to do, which would effectively lengthen the impact zone and reduce G forces.

[Thirdeye]

Anyways, ABS isn't a huge deal; it's not like it halves the risk of an accident or anything.

Your statement is true, but ABS will shorten the stopping distance (for the average driver) and allow for near perfect straight ahead stops. I remember my old non-ABS VW which had a distinct tendency to pull to one side or the other during panic stops :eek:. ABS will also prevent 'flat-spotting' a tire.

[Thirdeye]

Darn, the forum ate my post. Well, I'm not going to bother to write out all the math again, but basically, the SUV risk is overstated.

I've read and heard quite a bit about Aptera's efforts to provide passive safety and it all looks quite good so far. Just trying to find out if anyone has any more info. on the active systems that the production cars will have.

[LQUAN]

Anyone has any idea on insurance cost for this car?

If Aptera modulized everything on the car, it shouldn't be too hard to do your own repair. Composite pannels can be easily replaced instead of repair. But if the main aluminum frame is slightly bent out of shape, that spells the end of the car.

[3-4-me]

I'm not an expert on the construction of the Aptera by any means, but there was discussion that the main body was made up of 14 major pieces.
These could be easily "snapped" together by 3 people.

I think the PM video shows that the rear drive components, as well as the front end, bolt to the composite shell.
The frame is integrated into the shell. I would think that makes it possible to change out panels.

[KarenRei]

I like the concept -- an "open" car. One where users are given a repair guide, where to order replacement panels, how to unbolt and reattach them, etc. Come on; we all know how to work a wrench! :)

[butter]

I don't.

Just kidding (sort of) but I actually would feel a little weird about being able to tinker with the car on my own because... I guess it's a little bit like installing your own RAM in your laptop. Of course, after I did it, I didn't feel any different about the "delicacy" of my computer. I don't know...

[KarenRei]

I *hope* it's as easy as installing ram. I haven't bought a pre-made computer since the early 90s. I make my own.