Automotive X-Prize update: shakedown round (track test videos)

[dcb]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Aptera's troubles in slow motion:

It's like they never test drove it before then?!?

[cfg83]

dcb -

Originally Posted by dcb

It's like they never test drove it before then?!?

Yeah, I don't know how the door flew open, unless the body torqued enough to pop it open?!?!?!?

CarloSW2

[MetroMPG]

APTERA! AAAAGGH!

I can't imagine a monocoque fiberglass EGG twisting enough to pop a door latch!

That thing handles like a pig on wheels! In their executive restructuring, did they hire a 1970's Cadillac engineer to set up the suspension??

As for simply missing all the cones, it can't help that the car probably has the widest track in the competition.

The Very Light Car people also suffered a few wipeouts. Tail "heavy" (relatively speaking), skinny tires, possibly with poor grip.

[cfg83]

MetroMPG -

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

APTERA! AAAAGGH!

I can't imagine a monocoque fiberglass EGG twisting enough to pop a door latch!

That thing handles like a pig on wheels! In their executive restructuring, did they hire a 1970's Cadillac engineer to set up the suspension??
As for simply missing all the cones, it can't help that the car probably has the widest track in the competition.

The Very Light Car people also suffered a few wipeouts. Tail "heavy" (relatively speaking), skinny tires, possibly with poor grip.

I wonder if there is a rolling prototype of the early RWD version of the Aptera. I heard they went to FWD to *improve* driving stability.

CarloSW2

[NeilBlanchard]

They have had several prototypes with front wheel drive, that handled great. I think they misunderestimated (ha!) the effects of softer front suspension -- the body roll tilts the rear wheel and this gets it onto an edge, which causes oversteer? They only recently hired Pratt & Miller (a large racing company) and I think they can get it sorted.

I think they were "mainstreaming" the car, trying to broaden it's appeal, and they had just built this version a few weeks ago, leaving themselves time to only do cursory testing.

If they cannot solve this handling problem, they will fail as a car maker; pure and simple. Oh, and they certainly have to have impressive efficiency, if not win the X-Prize outright.

[cfg83]

Neil -

Ok. The Pratt & Miller information is encouraging. Still hoping here for Aptera to succeed.

CarloSW2

[MetroMPG]

Me too. And I'm sure they'll be able to sort out the handling & grip.

But they should know that videos of doors flying open and cars slewing out of control across the test area are marketing poison.

[MetroMPG]

More video:

At 1:00, the Edison2 very light car spins in the emergency lane change test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnHNQu9tfn4

Also, looks like some of the drivers need to work on threshold braking techniques!

[NeilBlanchard]

Again, the Edison2 VLC spun out because the owner, Oliver Kuttner was over confident, and told the driver to take the first run at 55mph; 10mph higher than required.

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Illuminati Motors

That is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen! It's clear that it's an aerodynamic shape, but there's more to car design than that.