Aptera officially launches futuristic, super-efficient three wheeler

The Type-1 uses a current one-speed transmission at a one-sixth gear ratio (with the electric motor delivering full torque from zero RPM) and work has already begun on a “quick-change” two speed transmission that will provide greater acceleration and a higher top speed.

The two models are expected to carry different battery packs to cater for their needs (a 10 KWh pack for the electric model and a smaller pack for the hybrid). Both will use a “safe” Lithium system though details on the exact type of batteries to feature in the production models are yet to be released.

Everything else about the two models is identical with air vents to cool the gasoline engine already included in the shell. The only exception is an oval hole under bottom of nosecone to accommodate the exhaust on the hybrid.

A diesel engine was considered for the hybrid model but dropped due to emissions considerations (it's not possible to get a small Diesel engine certified for emissions in California) in favor of a small, water-cooled EFI Gasoline engine with closed loop oxygen feedback and catalytic converter, married to a lightweight 12KW starter/generator.

So how does it handle? “Very well”, said Fambro, “it has a low center of gravity because the batteries, as the most massive element of the vehicle, are mounted between the two front wheels and at the very bottom of the vehicle. The geometry of the control arms and all of the suspension components including the rear swing-arm were designed and tested in house and verified externally to a high-safety margin”. Video of the first prototype in action can be viewed at the Aptera site.

Emphasis has been placed on safety as a key element to the design with the goal of exceeding the specs set out for passenger vehicles wherever possible. A steel, aluminum and composite safety cage surrounds the vehicle occupants with air bags built-in to the seatbelts and a nose cone designed to compact against the angled firewall which is bolted to the front subframe, collapsing under the vehicle on impact and redirecting energy around the occupants. “The Typ-1 has just passed first phase of development for crash testing – frontal offset impact at 45mph - with promising results anticipated for the next phase,” said Fambro. “Because the H-point, the part where your hip rests in the vehicle is actually just slightly above the bumper line of an opposing car, so the bumper begins to travel underneath the vehicle”.

The Typ-1 has a “two plus one” seating configuration that allows an infant seat to be located behind and in between the driver and passenger. Rear storage room provides enough space to fit 15 bags of groceries or two full-size golf club bags and longer items like surf boards can also be carried if the infant seat is removed. The three wheels design also has the added bonus of making the vehicle eligible for most carpool lanes but despite this the Typ-1 has around the same footprint as a car like a Corvette and at 57 inches (1.45 meters) high – it's roughly equivalent to the Toyota Prius.

On the inside the high-tech credentials of the Typ-1 are just as apparent. Side mirrors are dropped in favor of embedded cameras that display a 180-degree rear view in the front of the instrument panel, assisting the aerodynamics and giving the driver complete “eyes-forward” situational awareness.

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