Aptera Reboot - Improved

[sendler]

This sounds completely unsafe if they think they can eliminate any steering linkage and go exclusively with torque vectoring. Lose a wire at 60mph, dive left over a cliff.

[oil pan 4]

If it sounds ridiculous, it is.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

If it sounds ridiculous, it is.

Law requires a physical connection between the driver and the steering

So full steer by wire is illegal

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Law requires a physical connection between the driver and the steering

So full steer by wire is illegal

Hmmm that seems like a slight problem too.
Again, these people seem like they know absolutely nothing about vehicles.
Clean slate ambition.

In the mind of the novice there are many possibilities.
In the mind of the master there are few.

[freebeard]

Would skid-steer plus articulation be allowed? Sort of a tricycle Radio Flyer?

[freebeard]

Transport Evolved posted this today:

Aptera is Back. It's a Very Different Beast. And We Just Put $100 Down.

I hadn't watched the previous videos, but what I learned this morning:

• It has SVX-style side windows
• It's a three-door body
• apparently lots of stowage under the hatch
• doggo option (don't care)
• camper interior (very significant)
• 'up to' 40 miles per day on solar

List pricing starts at $25K, not too far from Arcimoto's $17.5-20K range. I like both for different reasons, but both more than the Messerschmitt K-200.

It all comes down to which one goes amphibian first.

[redpoint5]

I'm in at that lower price point and amphibious capabilities.

[samwichse]

Originally Posted by sendler

Aptera is talking about steering the car only via torque vectoring.
.
"With in-wheel motor technology, Aptera can bypass the need for a traditional steering rack and simply use power-vectoring directional control instead"
.
https://www.greencarreports.com/news...n-wheel-motors
.

If you look closely at the pic they've released with one of the wheels in exploded view, at the point the lower A-arm meets the hub is visible on the opposite side, it appears to be a ball joint. Likewise, on the near side there's an extra slat-shaped tie rod looking thing on the upper front.

I'd guess they're saying they aren't going to include a power steering rack, because they can just add that function to the two front controllers for "free." Read the quote as "With in-wheel motor technology, Aptera can bypass the need for a traditional [power] steering rack and simply use power-vectoring directional control instead." and it makes so much more sense.

[redpoint5]

Hub motors seems another fail idea. What advantage is there in a hub motor except possibly space? They must be cheaper too by eliminating some of the drivetrain components.

I'd think ride quality would be compromised by so much unsprung weight, especially given the relatively light weight of the sprung weight.

[rmay635703]

Let’s hope they use 165/65r14 re92’s so I can keep getting them for the Honda

Next their design really deserves a 3rd rear seat position for the 3rd dirt

Too bad these things are always another 2 years off.

Money says never made...