Aptera Motors

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This article is about the automotive company. For their vehicle, see Aptera Typ-1. For other uses, see Aptera.
Aptera Motors, Inc.
Type Private company
Founded 2005
Founder Steven P. Fambro
Headquarters Flag of the United States Carlsbad, California
Area served California, USA
Key people Paul Wilbur (CEO)
Steven P. Fambro (CTO)
Chris Anthony (COO)
Neil Hannemann (SVP of Mfg)
Tony Kirton (CMO)
Industry Automotive
Products Aptera Typ-1
Website Aptera.com

Aptera Motors, formerly Accelerated Composites,[1] is a maker of high-efficiency vehicles, and is located in Carlsbad, California.

Aptera’s first product, a three-wheeled two-seater named the Typ-1, is currently under development,[2] though they are accepting pre-orders from California residents.[3] The fuel efficiency of 300 mpg (US) (0.78 L/100 km) when plugged in every 120 miles (190 km) would make it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world.

The name Aptera is Greek for “wingless,” a nod to the light-aircraft-inspired design and construction,[4] and is correctly pluralized ‘Apteras.’


Contents

History

In January 2006, startup Accelerated Composites issued a press release detailing an automobile design that would get an estimated 330 mpg at 65 mph (105 km/h).

The Mk-0 technology demonstrator was unveiled at the TED Conference in March 2007.[5]

In August 2007, it was announced that Aptera was one of the first 30 participants in the Automotive X Prize, where they are considered a front-runner in the alternate class.[6]

On April 22, 2008 Aptera announced that Neil Hannemann, who previously led a number of projects including the Dodge Viper, the Ford GT, and the Saleen S7, was hired as SVP of Program Management & Manufacturing.[7]

On June 24, 2008 they announced that Tony Kirton was hired as Chief Marketing Officer. He had previously worked for “five years as Director of Marketing at Audi of America, Vice President of Sales for Volkswagen & Audi in Great Britain, and Chief Marketing Officer on the executive board of BMW’s South African marketing and manufacturing subsidiary,” as well as independent branding and marketing consulting.[8]

On September 3, 2008 Aptera revealed that Steve Fambro hired Paul Wilbur as Aptera’s new CEO and assumed the title of Chief Technical Officer.[9] This led some to speculate that Fambro would be ousted, similar to Martin Eberhard of Tesla Motors and Daniel Riegert of Phoenix Motorcars.[10]

Vehicles

 Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (October 2008)
This article contains information about a scheduled or anticipated future automobile.
It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final version of the vehicle.
This article has no lead section. To comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines, one should be written.
Please discuss this issue on the talk page and read the lead section guide to make sure the introduction summarizes the article.
Aptera Typ-1

Jason Hill's final Typ-1 design rendering.
Manufacturer Aptera Motors, Inc.
Production December 2008
Assembly United States
Predecessor Aptera Mk-0
Class Subcompact
Body style(s) 2-door three wheeled car
Layout RMR layout
Engine(s) Gasoline: 10 kW[11] genset
Electric: 30 kW 3-phase motor, 100 ft·lbf (140 N·m) torque[12]
Transmission(s) Series hybrid with 1:6 ratio belt drive
Curb weight 1,480 lb (670 kg)[13]
Electric range All-Electric: 120 mi (190 km)
Hybrid: 60 mi (100 km)
Designer Eleven


This section contains information about a scheduled or anticipated future automobile.
It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final version of the vehicle.

Aptera Typ-1

Main article: Aptera Typ-1

The Aptera Typ-1 will be a 2.5-seat, three wheeled passenger vehicle. It is planned to be available in both all-electric and series hybrid configurations, at $27,000 and $30,000 respectively. Aerodynamic optimization using simulations and light-weight composite construction yields a vehicle which consumes only 80 Wh/mi at 55 mph, about half the energy needed to propel the EV1.[14] On the battery electric model, this means a 120 mile range on 10 kWh of electricity, or around 340 mpg price equivalent.[nb 1] On the hybrid vehicle, it leads to projections of 130 mpg on gasoline alone, or 300 mpg if plugged in every 120 miles.

Aptera Motors emphasizes that safety was not traded off for efficiency, citing crash test simulations and more recently component crush testing as indicating excellent survivability–on par with more conventional vehicles. Real-world crash test results are forthcoming, however.

The Aptera Typ-1 features roof-mounted solar panels, always-on climate control, and keyless ignition and entry. High-drag side mirrors are replaced with rear-view cameras, and an in-car touch screen PC serves as entertainment, navigation, and communication system.


Initial Design & Rendering

Aptera’s introductory press release claimed their design would achieve 330 mpg, and included renderings of the proposed vehicle. The body shape was initially estimated to have a drag coefficient of 0.055 to 0.06, and would have sported a 12 horsepower (9 kW) diesel engine and a 24 horsepower (18 kW) permanent magnet DC motor. The design also called for a CVT and ultracapacitors, and sell for under US$20,000.[15][16]

Aptera Mk-0

Aptera Mk-0
Manufacturer Aptera Motors, Inc.
Production no (technology demonstrator)
Assembly United States
Predecessor unnamed homebuilt prototype
Successor Aptera Typ-1
Class Subcompact
Body style(s) 2-door three-wheeled car
Engine(s) Diesel: 9 kW (12 hp)
Electric: 19 kW (25 hp)
Transmission(s) CVT
Wheelbase 1,625 mm (64 in)
Length 4,394 mm (173 in)
Curb weight 386 kg (851 lb)

The Mk-0 technology demonstration vehicle was built to confirm the effectiveness of the design. Due to its higher than expected drag coefficient of 0.11, it only achieved 230 mpg at 55 mph (89 km/h). The target price was unchanged at “around $20,000.”

Project X

In December 2007, Steve Fambro mentioned “Project X,” a four-wheeled five-passenger model for possible future production.[13] In March 2008 he further mentioned “other projects that are certainly more mainstream” in the works.[14] However, Fambro has also stated that “you’ll know it’s an Aptera,” indicating that its look will remain distinctive.[17]

Financing and Production

Fambro himself invested around US$100,000 to found Aptera Motors. Idealab invested “about $1 million,” and “more than $1 million” came from Esenjay Explorations CEO Michael Johnson.[18] In July 2008 Google.org invested US$2.75 million,[19] with the total for the Series “C” investments of about US$24 million.[20]

Aptera Motors is moving into a larger facility in Vista, CA, a move in the works since at least March 2008.[14] As of August 2008, Aptera Motors has received around 4000 refundable deposits for Typ-1s,[21] and currently expects to deliver first all-electric units to customers in December 2008, and the first hybrids in late 2009.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Assuming 13.49¢/kWh (DOE Aug 2008 California Residential average) and $3.816/US gallon (AAA Daily Average California, Regular, 2008-09-13); calc

References

  1. ^ John, Fuller (2008-01-08). "Howstuffworks "How the Aptera Hybrid Works"". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved on 2008-07-04.
  2. ^ Baker, Billy (2006-09-01). "The Race to 100 MPG". Popular Science. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
  3. ^ "Reserve Your Aptera". Aptera Motors. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
  4. ^ "Aptera’s 3-wheeler looks as if it could soar". San Francisco Chronicle (2008-04-16). Retrieved on 2008-08-02.
  5. ^ Dunn, Colin (2007-03-15). "The Future is Here: Aptera’s Prototype Unveiled". TreeHugger.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
  6. ^ "Automotive X PRIZE Announces First 30+ Teams in Multimillion Dollar Competition for 100 MPGe Vehicles". Automotive X Prize (2007-08-01). Retrieved on 2008-07-04.
  7. ^ "Aptera Motors Taps Neil Hannemann as SVP of Program Management & Manufacturing". Business Wire (2008-04-23). Retrieved on 2008-09-14.
  8. ^ "Tony Kirton Joins Aptera as Chief Marketing Officer". Business Wire (2008-06-24). Retrieved on 2008-09-13.
  9. ^ "Aptera™ Hires Seasoned Auto Executive Paul Wilbur as Its New President and CEO". Business Wire (2008-09-03). Retrieved on 2008-09-13.
  10. ^ Bensinger, Ken (2008-09-03). "Aptera’s Management Mystery". LA Times Blog. Retrieved on 2008-09-13.
  11. ^ Ring, Ed (2007-10-16). "Aptera’s Series Hybrid". EcoWorld. Retrieved on 2007-12-11.
  12. ^ "Aptera Is Now Accepting Orders… (comment #10)" (2007-09-30). Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
  13. ^ a b Stewart, Ben (2007-12-21). "Aptera’s Super-MPG Electric Typ-1 e: Exclusive Video Test Drive". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
  14. ^ a b c Kates, David (2008-03-04). "YouTube - Aptera CEO Steve Fambro". AlternativeEnergy.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  15. ^ "330 MPG! Aptera Hybrid Promises Amazing Mileage for Less Than $20,000". Edmunds.com (2006-01-20). Archived from the original on 2006-10-10. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
  16. ^ "Startup Introduces 330MPG Diesel Hybrid Design". Green Car Congress (2006-01-18). Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
  17. ^ "Aptera officially launches futuristic, super-efficient three wheeler". gizmag (November 23, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
  18. ^ Bradley, Fikes (2007-09-25). "Prototype gets 300 mpg, company says, qualifies for car-pool lane". North County Times. Retrieved on 2008-04-01.
  19. ^ Sun, Karl (2008-07-23). "Driving plug-in technology with investments of $2.75 million". google.org blog. Retrieved on 2008-08-16.
  20. ^ Dore, Tisha (2008-07-24). "Aptera Moves One Step Closer to Production of Its Ultra-Efficient Typ-1 Vehicle". Business Wire. Retrieved on 2008-08-16.
  21. ^ "Known Pre-orders – Apterawiki". Apterawiki (2008-08-08). Retrieved on 2008-08-16.

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