I have forgotten about some of the other attributes I ❤️ about the Aptera 2e , so I rewound back to my first hands on and ride at the Princton NJ roadshow. Here (left) they had a composite panel of the vehicle where you could try to dent it with a sledgehammer.
They apparently even had this “challenge”, in CA to try to dent an Aptera 2e
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/dent-an-aptera-2e-win-100/
Never cease to amaze us!
This may or may not be something that works with this new design. The honeycomb aluminum core composite panels are incredibly strong and light, and they are very stiff - all of which are great. The old design was a different animal.
Let’s hope someone elaborates about”if” there are changes.. in a future newsletter or on the website. The site, now, does not speak much on this topic. I understand Chris used his boating composites expertise to creat what is used. Surely unique and lighter than steel!
They specifically show the aluminum honeycomb composite panels on this current design.
Hi Neil
I must have missed that...
Attached is all I saw on their site.
Are you saying this difference now from the 2009 honeycomb panel (shown above in the “try to deny me” video snapshot)..
The present panel is “resin infused sandwiched core and the 2009 was not? Thx
I thought they used something other than an aluminum core honeycomb back then. My memory of that sledgehammer panel is that is was springy, and I don't think that honeycomb panels are springy.
So it was more successful that Elon throwing steel balls and the Cybertruck windows?
🤣
@Len If I remember correctly the 2e outer shell was joined top-to-bottom so that there was a seam along the side. During the Tech Briefing earlier this week the outer shell was describes as two sides with a seam in the middle - under the roof solar panel. In one of the sketchy "demolition" videos that showed a 2e being attacked by a forklift, the shell cracked along the side seam but the top and bottom panels stayed intact. When you think of the pounding that a composite boat hull takes, slamming repeatedly onto water at speed, the strength of these materials is amazing!
Indeed
Thank you Chris!
Test results will prove the expected