Aptera officially launches futuristic, super-efficient three wheeler

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Aptera Typ-1

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November 23, 2007 The nature of personal transportation is changing. The pressing need for a shift to efficient, low-emission vehicles has seen an array of eco-friendly models showcased by major auto manufacturers in recent times. But not only is this new era opening up the path for different design platforms that think outside the “box with wheels” mentality that has been the mainstay of the car industry since its beginnings, it also provides a starting point for smaller players with fresh ideas to enter the marketplace. Fitting squarely into this category is Aptera Motors, a Californian based company that has just announced the official launch of the Typ-1 - a radical new three-wheel, two-seat design available in all-electric or plug-in-hybrid versions that bundles bleeding-edge aerodynamics, incredible fuel efficiency and a strong focus on safety in a package that will cost less than USD$30,000. Gizmag spoke to Aptera Co-Founder & CEO Steve Fambro on the technology behind these eye-catching vehicles and the future plans for the company as it moves rapidly into the commercialization phase.

At first glance the Aptera Typ-1e and the Typ-1h (the hybrid version which as almost identical in appearance to its all-electric stablemate) screams one word – AERODYNAMICS. This is no coincidence as the futuristic design was evolved entirely on the premise of finding the optimum shape for a two passenger vehicle.

“Initially I was looking for a small kit car, something that I could build myself”, said Steve Fambro. “Around the same time I became obsessed with the fuel mileage, I wanted to know why these small cars still achieved poor gas mileage at around 25 mpg. At highway speeds aerodynamics eat up half of the energy required just to drive the vehicle and with this realization I then asked myself as an engineer - 'What if I make that part of the equation go to zero? How would I find the lowest drag shape to surround two people?'”

Realizing he couldn't buy the vehicle he envisioned, Fambro decided to turn it into a business venture. A turning point in this process came after witnessing the record breaking flight of the world's first private space ship – SpaceShipOne. “I was amazed that twenty people in three years could develop a spacecraft, the aircraft to carry it up at altitude, test it and put it on the edge of space. If twenty people can do that then surely three or four people can build this car and take it to some form of completion ready for manufacture”.

After a period of networking, in early 2006 Fambro formed a team and found investors – with Bill Gross from Idealab being the first – and the project snowballed from there. The first hand fabricated vehicle was completed six months later, achieving 230 mpg in October, and the program grew quickly into 2007 with the new generation Typ-1 vehicles developed in nine months, culminating in this week's official launch.

The building of the Typ-1 was a very different process from the original hand-fabricated vehicle. Using parts and a part numbering system were designed from scratch (with the numbering based on the Audi system) the process was streamlined with design, stress analysis and aerodynamic testing all done on computer and all parts made separately before assembly.

The Typ-1e and the Typ-1h

Underneath the sweeping lines of the aerodynamic shell, the Typ-1 hides some very well thought-out technology to make the driving experience comfortable and safe as well as being incredibly fuel efficient.

The all-electric model has a range of 120 miles with a regenerative braking system operational through the rear wheel in addition to full dual system hydraulic brakes front and rear. Despite the prevailing attitudes towards the performance of electric vehicles the Typ-1e is by no means sluggish – it achieves a top speed of 90mph and accelerates from 0-60 in around 10 seconds. The Typ-1h hybrid version significantly steps up the range covering more than 600 miles with fuel economy at a staggering 300 miles per gallon.

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