now that's a futuristic looking car with a good function
http://apteramotors.com/

that thing is ugly as hell. It looks like a sperm on wheels.

This is the same problem early hybrids ran into. Car companies have to stop making their newest tech look all Hollywood future. Nobody wants to drive around in something that looks like that. I'm also kind of curious what this has to do with media.

doesn't look like it'd provide much protection in a wreck ;(

Hey, I want one of those! I don't care what the hell it looks like! 230 miles per gallon? $20,000 retail? FRIGGIN SWEET.

Actually I think it looks pretty cool. It also looks like it might be a hoax though.

Too bad I'm not old enough to drive. :(

pfft i get 35 mpg with a normal jetta. im happy.

it prolly wouldn't look so bad in another color

and i cant help feeling a little irony in phantom penguins dissing a high milage car

isukun
Nobody wants to drive around in something that looks like that.

I would… :(

But seriously, effective gas mileage AND looking futuristic? I love it already.

doesn't anyone care that it looks like it'd fold up into a nice little ball if you got in a 25 mph fender bender?

Someone
There are two major contributing factors to its extraordinarily high gas mileage. At 230 MPG, it is one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world. The most dominant contributing factor is the Aptera's optimized aerodynamic form. Accelerated Composites claims that the drag coefficient of the vehicle will be approximately 0.06, which is dramatically less than any current production vehicle on the road. For comparison, most cars' lie between 0.25 and 0.4, whereas trucks' are typically around 0.6. Since aerodynamic drag increases as the square of speed, at highway speeds over half the engine's power is devoted to overcoming air resistance. The Aptera was designed to minimize this resistance without regard for aesthetics, resulting in a car that doesn't needlessly burn gasoline just to push air out of its way. It has the lowest drag form factor of any mass produced car in the world.

The other reason for the excellent mileage of this car is the lightweight composites used in its construction. It weighs only 850 pounds (386 kg), and thus will be one of the lightest cars on the market. Accelerated Composites’ Panelized Automated Composite Construction (PAC2) process is a proprietary method that fully automates the manufacture of the composites.

Accelerated Composites is planning for a 12 hp (9 kW) diesel engine with a 25 hp (19 kW) permanent magnet DC motor. The engine would be capable of shutting off when the car can run on the electric motor alone. The electric motor is coupled through a continuously variable transmission. The company plans to use ultracapacitors instead of batteries, as they are much more effective at regaining power from braking. It accelerates from 0–60 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds with a top speed of 95 MPH.

Someone
Quick specifications

* Less than $20,000
* 12HP CARB certified Diesel engine
* 25HP DC Motor
* Regenerative braking control
* Automatic CVT transmission
* 64in front wheel track
* 173in length
* Weight of 850lbs
* 0-60mph in less than 10s
* 95mph top speed (electronically limited)
* 230 MPG at 55 MPH

When it comes out I'll read about what is said about it's safety, and if it's good I'll buy one. I don't think the company would bother making the car if it's not safe.

It's a three wheeled car, what happens if you get a flat (and I'll bet it handles great in snow)? Plus at about an inch off the ground due to the stupid housings on the tires, how do you go over speed bumps in this thing?

You really have to wonder, how much would the gas mileage change if the car was redesigned to have four wheels and the frame of a compact. It's really hard to say since lighter and more aerodynamic vehicles are already getting 180mpg (the eCycle Hybrid Motorcycle), it sounds like they might be sacrificing practicality and safety just to get those high numbers. What's more, there isn't much point to the low price point. This isn't a family car by any means and I doubt we'll be seeing them modified into trucks, vans, SUV's or even sedans. It really relies on that “under half a ton” element to get gas mileage that good. As only a two seater with almost no trunk space, it doesn't function as much more than a novelty car. It doesn't even have the engine power to make it into a sports car like the GX-3.

Looks cool to me, though. The mpg is extremely impressive for a car. Not practical for the area I live in however (weather wise).

I'm thinking that this would have a lot of the same limitations AS a motorcycle. Except instead of wearing the helmet, you're sitting inside it. ;)

Phantom Penguin
pfft i get 35 mpg with a normal jetta. im happy.

How much does your tank get?

That car looks extremely funky :)
Three wheelers are notoriously dangerous… but I think on this one the wheels are spread out enough to be fine.
It looks a bit more like on of those solar powered concept cars than a normal road vehicle. I'd like one though ^_^

ozoneocean

Phantom Penguin
pfft i get 35 mpg with a normal jetta. im happy.

How much does your tank get?

That car looks extremely funky :)
Three wheelers are notoriously dangerous… but I think on this one the wheels are spread out enough to be fine.
It looks a bit more like on of those solar powered concept cars than a normal road vehicle. I'd like one though ^_^

ha the tank? it takes 55 gallons of jet fuel just to start the damn thing.

The problem is how would you park this car with the wheels out like that? It seems like they'd jut out into the street.

Also why the heck is this in Media Discussion?

You're right. This is general…

That car is the smex….id like it.