Coming from a racing background, there are several design ideas that I would like to suggest.
Enough room to fit a tire width at least 4 sizes wider than stock at the front and 6 sizes wider in the rear.
The ability to lower the car a few inches using aftermarket or upgraded suspension, without compromising handling (like bump steer or bottoming out suspension bits on the frame).
A suspension package with higher spring rates, adjustable damping, and a stiffer sway bar.
Torque vectoring that will help keep the vehicle stabile while going around corners fast.
An interior package that includes a better bolstered seat and race inspired steering wheel.
Bolt on aero modifications like front canards and maybe a rear diffuser, that can be removed easily for daily driving.
Driver adjustable front rear biased motor output.
An on screen track map that shows lap times and sectional course times, with colors overlaying the track showing if times have increased or decreased.
I would keep going but I think I will save some ideas for later pondering.
I'm looking for Aptera to win the prize for the most efficient vehicle on the road, not for being the fastest race car. I'm actually amazed at Aptera's 0 to 60 time of 3.5 seconds. I'm not looking to win drag races with it!
Wouldn't all your suggestions add weight to the car and thus lower its efficiency?
Also, it will be electronically speed limited to 110 mph. Is that fast enough for a race car? Not sure what would break first if that speed limiting was defeated.
Like you, efficiency is my highest concern. I suppose I wouldn't be here otherwise.
I don't care about drag racing, but it is important to me for it to be able to handle well going around a road course track, and make gas cars look like a waste of time. To convert the car industry we will need to check off as many boxes as possible, and handling performance is very high on the list.
The race wheels/tires I would only use for race days.
lowering the car I would do with air suspension, removing a few pounds per corner, and adding to the lower center of gravity.
if a performance suspension package was an option, it might ad a few pounds, but shouldn't be significant, unless like stated about, the suspension was converted to air instead of steel springs.
tq. vectoring control is just software as you know, so no added weight.
typical race seats are lighter than originals, same with race steering wheels.
canards and rear diffuser as stated should be removable for efficiency. so no added weight unless at the track
front/rear/ motor bias, no weight
same with software data add ons.
so no, no extra weight if all of these things were applied in a responsible way and race parts were only used on race day, as intended.
The 110 MPH top speed is perfect. Few race tracks would allow a higher speed, and those tracks are really hard on cars anyway. I want to have fun and show the ICE car people what they are missing, and give rides to those interested in the Aptera. I really think the word would spread like wildfire (sorry Cali) if this car is track worthy. The specs so far look like it will be very competitive, but any advantage over ICE cars is a good thing in the name of electrifying transportation.
some more pondering.
analog or digital gauges on the center screen showing a user customizable range of info about how the car is performing, temps of coolant, motor rpm, battery temp, efficiency of driving style on track, energy used per lap, and any other stats that the car could spit out would be a great source of feedback. DATA DATA DATA!
Yes! Speaking as an engineer, I do like to see those indicators. 😀
I set my Chevy Volt to show both instantaneous power draw/regeneration as well as battery charge level graphically. It also displays trip efficiency and lifetime efficiency in your choice of English or metric units. Its "eco-meter" gives good feedback, bouncing up & down and changes from green to yellow as you go from light acceleration and braking to using a heavy foot.
I envy the Tesla for its graphics display of energy use over time. The Volt's remaining mileage indicator is very helpful, but we make fun of it in the Volt forums for its inaccuracy, and I hate the fact that the "miles remaining" indicator switches to "Low" when the gas tank gets below 1.1 gallons. Tesla does it much better. If you tell it where you're going, it uses its knowledge of elevation along the route to accurately estimate your energy use and remaining range, and mapping possible charging places if needed. If the car measures it, I'd like the opportunity to see it without needing to plug in a OBD2 scanner and display. But then my wife accuses me of watching the gauges rather than keeping my eyes on the road. So there is a balance. Some readings are best locked out until the car is parked, I suppose.
@Harry Parker If the Guess-O-Meter on the Volt is bad, the Spark's is laughable. :D I've driven half the battery off without it changing at all a couple of times when I switched from short city trips to longer country roads.
I agree, the more Data the better.
The OBD scanner shoud be integrated with the car’s electrical system and display
Rex is pretty much spot on, I race and have taken my i3 to the track and just clobbered a whole bunch of “fast” cars. Can’t run with cars on race rubber though and can‘t fit race rubber,frown. A track package would be a great option!
Small market for all of the above. Perhaps suitable for consideration/R&D after the market and production are steady state and the company's financials are stable. Then can address the niche outliers
Interesting musings Rex! A one-off performance version could help word of mouth about what a 3 wheeler EV can do, but also what it may not do. Take a look at what some performance 3 wheelers currently on the market look like (ex. Campagna T-Rex - wide tires with a roll cage).
The original design of the Aptera never seemed to say race inspired, or track inspired, or best cornering. I agree with you that great handling is quite important and I want that as well. However, I believe the genesis of the design was traveling on a normal road more efficiently than other designs. To a track performance minded individual, that is yawn inducing. But to efficiency performance minded individuals, there is beauty traveling down a straight road with the lowest energy use possible. I see this vehicle as more of a glider, rather than a competition Red Bull aerobatic airplane. (gliders still handle excellent, but I hope people see my point). Just my 2 cents.
3.5 Sec 0-60 is respectable... But 110 top speed is kind of lame... your mom's econo car probably does that if pushed hard. I would REALLY like to see a higher top speed. A performance mode. Unlocked top speed. I would be willing to pay more for upgraded tires and the ability to push it to 140 to 150. While it will never threaten a Tesla 2021 Roadster or Models S P100D... However, I am willing to bet that it would make Tesla owners wince a little bit if there was a vehicle that came close to offering the quick speed numbers for 30% of the cost. Drop the 0-60 times to 3 seconds and a top speed of 160... And I would be willing to spend quite a bit more on it. HOLY C**P!! That would be so awesome!!
They aren't building a race car. They are building the most efficient, practical and very safe vehicle in the world. A top speed of 110 mph for that vehicle is more than enough. What cars or motorcycles do better than 3.5 seconds to 60? Other than the track, where is over 110 mph useful? At what cost?
@Harry Parker sports car market charges a lot of money, more money is more money for developing other products some of us care about more. aptera can be a unique appealing toy, people who buy these expensive cars often want something that stands out on the road, plus "green washing" culture, helps the case for potential demand for niche sports aptera.
@my_discord_number_is_0328 Those are all good points. How much more are you willing to spend on an Aptera for a "performance" version? As much as a new Tesla Roadster?
I read in the Ask a Question section of the Wefunder site that to get a higher top speed would require fundamental changes including a higher voltage battery pack as well as a beefed up motor controller, cooling, suspension, etc.