While it may take away from the overall beauty of the Aptera it would protect the very vulnerable extended front wheels. Mini Cooper has bumper guards that have really made a difference on my cars. No dents and scratches can be wiped away. Perhaps the whole wheel base can be made of a durable material that wouldn't be dentable/scratchable?
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Good idea.
As the front wheels are extended from the body, wondering some LED lights or reflectors on the wheel cover would help other drivers from bumping on it, especially in the night.
@nytracy What do you mean by "bumper guard" and what do you mean by "wheel base"? Both of those terms have standard automotive meanings but I think you're referring to something else, entirely.
Sorry Kerbe, I'm from the thingamajig school of automotive jargon. There is a protective 4-5" trim on Mini Coopers that runs above the wheel (not wheel base) and along the edge of the side of the car. Very durable and ding proof.
@nytracy Ah! Usually called "bumper strips" or, if on the doors, "body side protector strips".
In the tech questions section this same question was asked and the reply was a video of Aptera at car shows inviting patrons to try to dent the car with a hammer
To avoid curb rash to the front wheel covers could sensors or a camera be installed. When parking the sensors or camera's view could appear on the screen to display the wheels relationship to the curb. if the wheel gets to close the Aptera could auto stop to avoid hitting the curb. Then you could correct the position of the vehicle avoiding the dreaded grinding of the wheels and covers.
That is a problem with many cars, I wish Tesla would add another camera for this purpose on my Model 3, though it would be interesting to see if you can actually see the wheels from the driver's seat in the Aptera, like in my Cessna
@Randy Spencer A number of vehicles offer a "360 aerial view" by stitching together side, front and rear camera views - perhaps it will come to Tesla some day, too. As to your other thought, it's clear in the launch video that the front wheels can be seen by the driver and passenger.
Where is this launch video? Is it the one with the tattooed couple driving a black one around and then a bunch of interviews with the company owners? Was there never a stage event? And what's the Paradigm+?
@Randy Spencer It's 9.5 minute video that was released on "Launch Day" - there were also two Zoom sessions that were broadcast with the founders sitting next to the vehicle. The following week saw another Zoom session, focused on Tech Q&A. The Zoom sessions were the Covid equivalent of "stage" shows. I've linked the video below. The first two models to be released will be the Paradigm and the Paradigm+ - 600 of the former and 300 of the latter. I believe they are FWD only with full solar (hood, roof & hatch), enhanced audio package and the Vida (coral-accent) interior. The Paradigm has a 40 kWh battery pack and the Paradigm+ has a 100 kWh pack.
Thx, so no access to the Zoom meetings anymore. I have watched that video a few times.
I guess that if I just choose those options (FWD, Full Solar, Eaudio, and Vida interior) and it will be the same as the Paradigm? Or did they do some Signature Red paint job to show it's the pioneer edition?
@Randy Spencer I couldn't say - but the Paradigm "package" is described on the Aptera website, although all 900 have been reserved.
I'm not certain if they plan to post the Zoom sessions - but I did see the "record" indicator on-screen, indicating that they were saved.
You might want to approach Aptera by email with your questions: info@aptera.us
Circling back to the idea in the 1st post, some cheap, easily-replaceable bumper-strips along the base of the front wheel covers might be a solution to curb-scraping while parallel parking.
@kiteboarder Several of the curbs in my town are close to 24 inches above the road surface - I'll have to take pix next time I'm downtown to prove it to all y'all!
@kiteboarder As promised...
You can add your own cheap peel-&-stick strips at whatever height is appropriate for your own personal needs.