"A 330 mpg car for everyone"
That's the slogan of startup Accelerated Composites, LLC. The company announced Thursday that development of its two-seater Aptera hybrid has begun.
As you might guess from the company's name, the use of composite materials plays a major role in the car's design. Claiming to have developed a proprietary composite construction technique (called Panelized Automated Composite Construction) that significantly lowers costs, the company plans to price the Aptera under $20,000.
The diesel/electric hybrid pairs a 12 hp diesel engine with a 25 hp electric motor, with power storage in a bank of supercapacitors. With a weight of only 850 lbs, the powertrain is good for a 0-60 time of about 11 seconds, and a top speed of 95 mph (electronically limited). Construction has begun for the first prototype.
And yes, fuel consumption is estimated to be 330 mpg at 65 mph. More pictures after the jump.
[via gizmag]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Tina 4:16PM (2/18/2006)
It looks like something from outer space!!
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Tom W. 9:50PM (2/23/2006)
How can I get a car like this? I don't care what the car looks like, I just don't want to have to leave my first born at the pump to fill up.
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aladdin 10:28PM (2/25/2006)
1.if the rear wheel is the drive wheel it will skid on the strip of oil left by cars in the middle of the lane.
2.even a 50cc. moped does not get 300+ mpg.How do you, mathematically, figure 300= mpg. for an 850 lb. vehicle with 2 passengers, say another 300 lbs, travelling at 65 mph?
3.With only the driver onboard the vehicle will list to the left.
4.Still, the concept is alluring.
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KenGirard 12:33AM (10/05/2007)
Aladin said:
2.even a 50cc. moped does not get 300+ mpg.How do you, mathematically, figure 300= mpg. for an 850 lb. vehicle with 2 passengers, say another 300 lbs, travelling at 65 mph?
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It is a hybrid done right. 12hp IC motor running at 250rpms which charges up the battery. 25hp electric motor moves the car. Arodynamics that would do good on a fighter jet. This gives 0-60 in 11 seconds. Economy, not speed.
Also comes as a full electric, which has a 120 mile range (mpg is ???). Recharges by plugging into the wall socket for 3 hrs.
James Jackson 11:22PM (4/13/2008)
I saw a website on supercapacitors (www.ultracapacitors.org). There are several companies making electric or hybrid vehicles now that will get 150 or 250 miles per charge... the old oil days will be history.
JJ
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Big Harmonica Bob 10:54PM (3/17/2006)
Well I hope it has some air conditioning ... I don't
see a way to open the window ... But it sure looks cool. I agree with an early post on this site...
give us some creature comforts and about 100 to 150 a gallon. I'm sure that model is next.
This is great because it uses high tech afforable
design to overcome real world problems.
GIVE IT A CHANCE ... The streets of the oil hungry
world should be covered with these soon ... I hope.
I want one ... how much musical equipment can fit
in the back? Big Harmonica Bob, Long Beach.
P.S. When you put a License plate on their it won't
look so nice ... oh well, Let the games begin.
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KenGirard 12:32AM (10/05/2007)
This is a mock up prototype, and one based on older drawings.
It has an interesting solar powered temp control system, so even when the car is parked it helps control the inner temp.
James Smith 9:30PM (3/23/2006)
Typical Americans', you care more about how pimp your ride is than how much it could save the world. I would but this car, but I have a feeling that lobbyists and the oil hungry US government will keep finding reasons for this car to not be released.
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PeterH 11:33AM (4/07/2006)
The point about concept cars is they define limits on hwat is possible with current or future technologies. If the calculations are viable (and I haven't looked at them), then the implication that the BEST that could be achieved over a regular car is a tenfold increase in fuel economy, making all the comfort and convenience sacrifices it looks like this car would involve means that when the global car miles driven has increased by a factor of ten (and yes folks think China and India - that will be pretty soon!) we would still need as much oil as we are currently producing for transport!
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jennifer 3:32PM (4/09/2006)
I think it looks incredible and I would be very interested to see it and see how it handles. i must admit I too wondered how you could see out of the thing though. As to safety on the road wiht large vehicles. It really doesnt much matter what your driving if an 18 wheeler creams you just about ditto with a huge SUV unless you are driving same. Right now paying for gas is really effecting the quality of my life so high gas mileage is very important to me.
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Hans 4:33AM (5/04/2006)
Did the Meathead Society have its annual meeting and disseminate this link to Autoblog?? I, for sure, am not a member.
RE: SAFETY- Have you ever heard of a MOTORCYCLE??? This is essentially a robust version of the same type of vehicle. Soccer moms killing the motorcylists out there "left and right"??? No. MACK trucks blowing Ninjas off the road?? No. Not a lot of substance to these arguments.
This vehicle is outwardly appear to afford the occupants a safe/economic form of transportation.
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Ken Girard 12:45AM (10/05/2007)
Structure wise it is built like a F1 race car. Hit a wall head on at top speed and then walk away...assuming that your strapped in like a race car driver is. But then race cars don't have air bags....
Paul Farley 9:15PM (5/30/2006)
I live in upstate ny. Will I be able to buy one in NY?
How much?
Paul Farley
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Debitto Sutoomo 11:21PM (5/30/2006)
I think it is an absolutely super sexy design, obviously aerodynamic and hot. Power-wise, it reminds me of an old Cushman scooter. Slow to start off the block, but runs like a banshee at speed. With air bags, it's safer than a motorcycle, and gets better fuel efficiency. A little bit of motorcycle might be handy to control a rear drive three wheeled vehicle, but one can still show up at the opera and exit with hair un-fussed. A bit better than towing a sailboat sideways at full sail: which is what you do when driving an H3 or a Land Rover.
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Bob miller 6:53PM (12/14/2008)
Okay I would buy one and I would drive one.I would like m ore info on mirrors , heaters, A/C, other items /accessories the car has. spec? how high all/ how many gallons diesel ? I am a inventor so I am looking at what it could do for the USA travel costs.
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Micah 2:20AM (6/24/2006)
The Aptera is certainly going to revolutionize the car industry. Since gas prices are going up, a 330 mpg car is just what we need, and hopefully it will set a trend and other car companies will start using the same design. Plus this car looks awesome.
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Mike Hagan 10:38AM (6/29/2006)
Change really does scare people! It's about time someone has the (beep) to do something about the fuel situation. I'm very interested in purchasing one.
GOODLUCK GUYS!
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Mike Hagan 2:32PM (6/29/2006)
Wouldn't you like to tell those oil producing countries to go to hell! If WE ALL stick together we can.
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Robert 11:19PM (7/09/2006)
well it is abit odd in shape but to get 330 mpg is pretty darn good at the speed that it reaches. all i can say is if there is need for a real life test driver then sign me up.i would be someone to take one of these prototypes on.....
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Steve McGlothlin 11:13AM (7/12/2006)
Composites and wind efficiency is the way of the future for all automobiles. The industry knows the formula, but will have to be taken down that road by public demand - maybe this small company and their little car can help lead the way to energy independence for all of us. We all should support this effort any way we can.
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