CARazed

Aptera Motors, a small California based company is now taking reservations for a radical new 2, +1 passenger plug-in hybrid vehicle, the Aptera Typ-1. The price to get in line is only $500, and the cost of the vehicle is under $30,000 and production is scheduled for late 2008 for the Typ-1e (all electric) and 2009 for the Typ-1h (plug-in hybrid).
In the early stages of development the Aptera was an all electric vehicle design concept. In fact an all electric version will be available but we can’t imagine why anyone would want one. The plug-in hybrid version is much more usable and costs only a few thousand dollars more.To make the car more usable for long trips a small water-cooled EFI gasoline engine certified for California emissions has been added.

Fuel efficiency is very high but varies depending on the length of the trip because the driver can stay in all electric mode for up to 60 miles. But to give you an idea of how efficient this vehicle is, a 120 mile trip would yield about 300 MPG (that’s not a typo, that is three hundred miles per gallon!). Top speed will be 85 MPH and 0 to 60 acceleration will be accomplished in under 10 seconds.

Safety is a major concern for Aptera Motors and the Typ-1 exceeds requirements for a typical passenger car. The composite safety cage is similar to a Formula-1 race car, and provides occupants with 360 degree protection. Air-bags will be standard and can be deactivated for a children passengers.

The three wheel design and layout save weight and provide more aerodynamic opportunities to the vehicle and means it will be registered as a motorcycle, even though the safety standards implemented far exceed motorcycle and car standards. In other words, the Aptera Typ-1 is legally a motorcycle registered with DOT and CA DMV. Initially it will be only available in California to facilitate service and a variety of other reasons. But the plan is to make this vehicle available in all 50 states, Europe and other countries.

This vehicle redefines car. We’ve avoided using that particular word in this post simply because the Aptera is not legally a car but a motorcycle, but in all practicality it is a car, but who cars if it’s safe and gets you to where you’re going for 300 MPG!

Kudos to the folks at Aptera and whoever is funding this project. Please tell your friends about this and if you’ve got $30K for a cool new car reserve yours today.