When viewed from above, the body of the Aptera increases in width from the front of the vehicle up to the door handles approximately. From there, the body maintains a nearly constant width out to the end of the vehicle.
I would like to see a moderate taper along the back half of the body to match the profile of the rear hatch.
Providing such a taper would increase the vehicle's visual appeal, in my opinion, as well as slightly improve its aerodynamic efficiency. Several of the six corner solar cells would likely need to be removed or relocated, but the slight reduction in body weight and reduced drag coefficient should nearly make up for the reduced solar collection capability. In addition, the reduction in material saves cost, and doing this would not reduce the current cargo space.
Ultimately, I think the more "teardrop" shaped the vehicle can be, the better.
Let me know if you (this community) agree with my assessment as this is a change I would like to see implemented. Integrating such a change now is relatively simple but becomes increasingly more difficult as the vehicle nears large scale production.
https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/5ff52241fb0e540017491d1e discussion about aptera being so wide https://www.aptera.us/forum/aptera-design-discussion/owners-manual-guide-folder-in-screen-adding-more-fun-sell-ability-some-efficiency-improvements at teh end is a aerodynamics manipulation idea that may affect size per portions etc https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/5fffd3815d72e9008cb8fef2
https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/5fffd3815d72e9008cb8fef2
The transition from the center of the body depends on the width of the batteries, a taper to the rear would interrupt the flowing line. a narrower shape at the rear would reduce the trunk, as can be seen from the pictures of the body panels. But our discussions will come to nothing, a timely implementation of production and crash testing will only be possible without significant change.
If the battery packs are locate under the driver's seat as shown in the first image, it does not seem that a taper to the back of the vehicle would affect battery fitment. The cargo capacity would be reduced, but as you show in your sketch, it looks like the useable volume loss would be minimal.
As for flow lines, I believe they would improve if my understanding of aerodynamics is correct. With the current configuration, total flow separation occurs around the elliptical boundary of the rear profile. The smaller that rear area, the less turbulent air is generated.
Since Aptera has not yet performed NHTSA crash tests yet, I believe now is the time to discuss revisions we would like to see. I don't think a taper would materially affect crash test results since crash tests are primarily focused on frontal impact absorption and cab integrity.
As for our discussions being fruitless, they may well be. That is up to the Aptera as a company. However, I believe they created this forum specifically for the purpose of collecting people's feedback of the Paradigm's design. I mean they titled the primary thread "Aptera Design Discussion".
Aptera is under no obligation to modify their design at all. I do find it appealing, though, that Aptera may consider people's wants/needs when it comes to bringing a vehicle to production.
I do, though, agree with the sentiment to let the focus be on actually producing something. A perfectly designed vehicle does no one any good if it only exists as a CAD model. I just see this as adding the finishing touches to a nearly finished prototype.
Let me know if you agree. If not, I respect that.
@Dudely there can also be a 2nd generation aptera, but first impressions make difference also better to avoid needing a 2nd gen b/c then lot of customers left out and even with trade in program it costs a lot. 2nd generation version could be for specific niche markets though like sports car market or whatever
The 2009 Aptera had a drag coefficient of 0.15. The present design “going to production” with the amazing range” was proven by NASA assessment to now be only 0.13 drag coefficient
IMHO. Aptera is in their own lane. Let’s get them going!
I'm happy with the design as it is. As an original fan/order person, I want this to get into production ASAP. No more design changes, please.
@Dudely - I'm with you, there should always be room for design discussions. These are already taking place in 5 other areas. Now that a production facility has been found, production should begin immediately, with the existing design. The design changes can then be realized in the successor model for Europe. Here we have a much bigger problem, the Aptera is 36 cm/14.17 in too long and 24 cm/9.45 in too wide for its class. A shortening would exclude a wide reduction in the rear area.
Please excuse my German thinking, but does it really make sense to have a vehicle whose front wheel protrudes 30 cm from the row of parked cars. A normal car is about 1.80 m wide without side mirrors. When parking, the right side mirror is approx. 15 cm in the sidewalk, the left is folded in, otherwise I have to expect that it will be damaged when I return.
1. If some drivers don't see the side mirror at head height, how are they supposed to see the front wheel below?
2. A side mirror costs $ 40. What does the left front wheel (with drive) cost?
It's also a bit easier to still drive away with no mirror, than with no wheel.
theres a strip of light at the wheel, it should be extended and used as constantly running light to make up for headlights that can be covered by another car in front of it(not sure if that is the plan at the moment) . it can be small light, lighting up reflective tape may be more efficient than larger surface area of grid for light.
So what you’re suggesting here is that in the parking position, the wheels should not protrude beyond the widest part of the body? Seems like a reasonable practical requirement, but could imagine that would be a significant design change.
They may have to make adjustments for some markets.
Here in the US the width is for extra stability and the wheel distance from body is for best aerodynamics I read...
The 2009 Aptera Prototypes were 91” wide!
Ah, so they're headed in the right direction, width-wise. A few more years of that & it will fit easily in a garage.
I would be very unhappy if such a change was made, and most likely cancel my order
Maybe you can clarify the reason(s) for your objection, since I'm sure you didn't mean you'd be unhappy about it fitting easily in a garage.
cool thanks for asking. First, people often have negative opinions about a car's aesthetics simply because it looks different from what they are used to. What is really great about the Aptera design is that it tapers along the vertical axis instead of the horizontal for as good or even much better aerodynamic benefit. Whatever reduction in drag from tapering it as the OP suggested would be minimal with a lot of drawback. I have a 2003 Honda insight and i saw the Aptera design in this regards as so much better. more room, more useable room is a big plus- for getting lumber instead of owning or renting a pickup truck with all the drawbacks and extra costs. You can camp in this Aptera design (that is really cool) !
really.. one of the main selling points for the Aptera for me was how the design does not taper when looked at from above.
@tony.girshin Thanks for joining the discussion. I am curious, what are the main reasons you prefer the "un-tapered" design?
Looking at the current rear hatch/trunk design, it does not seem that adding a taper in the horizontal plane would inhibit the Aptera's utility for transporting cargo such as lumber significantly nor would it be detrimental when camping. A small amount of cargo space is sacrificed, true, but looking at the image of the rear cargo pan above, I believe it would only require trimming a couple inches of width off the far end of the pan.
Is this your major concern? Or stylistically, do you just prefer the wide end look?
imagine a creature like a wingless bird that has its tail feathers flared out- moving really fast . Now imagine person that is used to seeing lizards saying the tail feathers should be trimmed because it just doesn't look right.
Imagine that the bird will never fly because it is too fat and does not fit through the door of the cage😂
you do see it almost gliding along the ground though... you cannot believe your eyes?
I don't want to see it glide - I want to sit in it!😎
ha, Well he was asking about its looks if looking down from above...
@ Tony - This is the new so-called Glidtera 😁
@loswa Replace that rear ski with a paddle track, and I'll take one!
I'm guessing Aptera has spent considerable time on the aerodynamics and know better than any of us just looking at pictures what impact various dimensional changes will have. My SWAG is an effort to narrow the front wheel track would require substantial rework of the rest of the car. Influence interior space, etc, basically a significant change in wheel track would snowball into a bunch of other adjustments to keep the drag coefficient where they want it and keep the handling stable.
Just making the wheel fairings on left and right quickly and easily removable for narrow towns etc where the current wheel width is excessive in small villages, then put them back on for long journeys where the aerodynamics matter more.