An electric engineer, Steve Frambo, reading on Volkswagen’s abandoned ‘1-liter’ car project discovered a daunting truth– 70% of a car’s energy goes to pushing air out of the way. With this discovery, he went on to make a car, which could provide means to lessen fuel troubles.
Taking help from his colleagues from Illumina, Frambo designed The Aptera, an aerodynamic two-seater car, meant to increase fuel efficiency. The Aptera built entirely with ultra-strong composite materials weighs just 850 pounds, runs on one-cylinder engine, is without a hood and fender for a swooping front end and outfitted with just three wheels to get a super light body.
Surprisingly, on test the all-plastic body ‘they don’t even bend’. To get extra safety, it also comes with an insulation made of crushable foam and air bags built into the seat belts that will absorb much of the impact in a crash.
Frambo adds:
The Aptera will be sluggish on the get-go, taking 11 seconds to get to 60 miles per hour. But once it gets going, it will be capable of traveling 90 miles per hour. This car is plenty fast enough for getting on the highway and passing people.
Fambro and his two collaborators formed a new company in January called Accelerated Composites. Frambo also tells about the response he received from the Big 3, he says ‘I’m on their radar’.
Chris Anthony, chief executive of San Diego boat designer Epic Boats, who recently signed on to become the CFO for Accelerated Composites is impressed:
His concept is genius. All the theory and mechanics of it work. And with a new concern for green machines, the market just might be ready for him.
I wonder if anyone would take to driving in a crazy looking car?
Frambro says the Aptera will cost under $20,000.
Via: Autos.aol.com
