Aptera is 88 inches (2235 mm) wide - that is a lot, and it seems that with doors open the car is even wider. Isn't this a problem in parking garages etc. Could you design the car doors so that they won't open wider than the width of the car?
The Aptera Forum
Aptera is 88 inches (2235 mm) wide - that is a lot, and it seems that with doors open the car is even wider. Isn't this a problem in parking garages etc. Could you design the car doors so that they won't open wider than the width of the car?
I think that is one of the unique attributes of this roadster style model? It appears all the initial prototype models in the 2000 also had winged doors. As you can read on this matter... ~six inches allowed from the front wheel cover to a wall is enough room.
I checked my garage space for that as I would like to park there in the evening.
I never owned a car, in my fifty years, that allowed conventional doors to open fully for all passengers to exit easily in a multi bay garage
For the solar panels to work, the car needs to be parked outside. I realized that my Aptera may never see the inside of the garage.
True true, but a door mechanism like the one below would fit the design better as the open door wouldn't add to the width of Aptera . accidentally hitting something next to you with your car door is always a bummer.
Yes
Interesting ! looks very mechanical and may need power assist? I have seen that on other car renderings.
Aptera is very sensitive to simple design, least amount if weight ( they are not even providing the weight of a jack or spare tire) and avoiding additional electronic (Power) use so....maybe those factor in as well as assuring the doors fit well tucking without hitting the wheel covers? As far as on door design safety over the other??? I do not know. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
With their Right to Repair plan “option”...a simple hinge door maintenance and/or repair might be easier for a person that normally don’t bother with that
They do have some crash testing in the original wing door design.
I see they have added a flexible strap to assist perhaps folks with short reach, which I did not see to the 2009 Aptera I had a ride in
But. what do I know
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Len, you're damaging your garage and your car, sign over your order to me. I have a duplex garage and rent a new garage for the Aptera and it must be lined with plastic cones on the ceiling and sides.
Ha!
No I am fine
BTW
1.You have my Aptera on my wife’s side of the garage. I hope you had permission! The truck goes and Aptera slips backed in😉
2. She never ever backs in a vehicle in “her spot”!
Rules here! 😉
I was never able open the inside vehicle door fully before. The magic of photoshop!
maybe minivan style sliding doors work better given theres a lot of rear space https://www.google.com/search?q=minivan+door&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS844US844&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzvMmvwIXuAhUEm1kKHWBAAoQQ_AUoAnoECBsQBA&biw=1034&bih=620#imgrc=VuQQsuylBK-vXM https://www.aptera.us/forum/general-discussions/has-anyone-checked-the-width-of-aptera-it-s-listed-as-88-wide-almost-as-wide-as-a-garage-door-is-it-really-that-wide?appSectionParams=%7B%22origin%22%3A%22member_comments_page%22%7D
I fear that the weight and complexity of such a design would preclude this, with little potential gain, since 5 or 6 inches from the wheel pants is all that is required.
Remember the BMW Z1 with the retractable doors. For the Aptera this means, the window is frame less and retracts into the door, the door swings halfway into the under floor, leaving enough room to get out.
Wow! Never remembered that one!
Mechanical and electric straight door with glass window...That must have weighed a lot?!
Thx!
It also goes even wider ...
Close contender ...
I think I'm dreaming. Converted to scale, that would be 3.28 m, so you need a double garage 😥 Please, tell me I am wrong.
See my picture in the other reply. I will be placing myAptera where the truck is so... I have enough room to get out of the driver’s door. All my past two bay garages only had room for exiting from one side easily
Width is a big factor for the stability!
One reason for the wheels being so far out is to have better airflow around the main body.
Another problem with this width will be parallel parking. It would be all too easy to scrape the curbside fender on the curb if you’re not careful.
That's why I want one with these "hot-rod" fenders:
@kiteboarder I'd like a more aerodynamic version of that fender.
@Tom A. I can afford to add some drag. As-is it goes 625% as far as my US average daily drive.
Is it even a good idea, cost wise, etc. would Aptera consider contactable front wheels?. Refer to this design
Link: https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1128151_polish-ev-can-split-lanes-like-a-motorcycle-keep-a-wide-stance-for-curves
Have a look at this link, we have discussed this already:
https://www.aptera.us/forum/aptera-tech-questions/aptera-in-europe/p-3
@loswa Thanks!
I own a 42kw bmw i3, one pedal driving which is fantastic, the only problem the discs rust something awful, so when starting after a night of wind and rain over a couple of days the pads just scrap the rust off onto my alloy wheels, disc brake fittings and any else around the hubs. This fine granular material attaches to any thing and is difficult to remove, and during the winter months with salt on the roads repeats itself over and over again. Modern motorcycles use stainless steel discs so could the aptera have SS discs or an option. I enquired about having them made for my i3 and using cnc machining would be a piece of cake. Second point are all the wheels and tyres the same on all axles, if so I guess it would be easy to get a fourth to get as a spare in the large (boot?) area.
Regards Richard (UK)
@dick_turbine
There are several discussion rounds, but no one knows exactly what material the brake discs are made of (steel, cast iron)
https://www.aptera.us/forum/aptera-design-discussion/regenerative-braking-is-deadly-on-ci-cast-iron-brake-rotors-corrosion-from-lack-of-use-what-are-aptera-rotors-made-of-to-address-this