Aptera may undergo some design changes before December production

Scott, when are you getting yours? You got any additional info?

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.au...ra-changes.jpg

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Originally Posted by Domenick Yoney

The latest newsletter from Aptera has arrived and we can now inform you of their most recent interesting updates. As expected, the company is about to begin the process of moving much of their current crowded facility to their new, close-by Vista, CA location. The new shop will contain some offices, the R&D lab and, of course, space to begin series production of the all-new Mk-1. I say "all-new" because, as you may have noticed in the above renderings, there have been some "refinements" made to the super efficient three-wheeler which they say make it safer and even more efficient. Holding their cards close to their chest, the company would not elaborate about which or how many of these changes would appear on the final production version but they should be making those revelations in their next newsletter.

The latest rendering seems to stretch and lower our wingless friend which might allow them to give it a slightly narrower track. This version also adds side-view mirrors to an otherwise sleek exterior but we don't know if they are permanent since the side-view cameras are maintained. Interestingly, the rear-view camera gets its own little dorsal-fin enclosure that has been spotted on some pre-production Mk-1 out there in the wild. The other noticable change is the addition of another window behind the door. We're not sure if this is one of the permanent changes though perhaps it could be if the company gets enough positive feedback from its fans. Though seemingly brief, the newsletter does contain a nice chat between founder Steve Fambro and the company's new CEO, Paul Wilbur and hints about an all-new website coming soon.

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Source: AutblogGreen.com

Nothing official in the way of word. I get the same newsletter that gave out the image above. Since I'm waiting for the "hybrid" model instead of the all electric, I'll be waiting until at least early 2010, assuming no big production hangups.

There's a TON of conjecture and what not about the new design on www.apteraforum.com but nothing verified by Aptera themselves.

One of the early receivers of the all electric model is planning a cross country trip, including a jaunt to death valley, once she has hers. I told her I'd meet her at Teakettle Junction with the camera's rolling! :thumbup:

For me, I like the new design. I hate waiting. Tried to convince my wife to let me get one of these: www.arielatom.com to hold me over... Somehow that didn't fly... Gotta keep working on her!

I won't say no if you guys get me either one of those!

dang 2010 is a heck of a long time from now :(

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Originally Posted by scottiac

For me, I like the new design. I hate waiting. Tried to convince my wife to let me get one of these: www.arielatom.com to hold me over... Somehow that didn't fly... Gotta keep working on her!

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just a bit off topic because I think the Ariel Atom is the bomb,
have you seen this Ariel?
Engine: 2.8L V8 (Hayabusa-based V8 motor)
375hp@10,000rpm
210 lbft torque@6,500rpm
Weight: 1200 lbs
0-60: under 3 sec
Top Speed: over 160 mph
http://thekneeslider.com/images/atomv8.jpg
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/9296/1me9.jpg
http://www.dpcars.net/atom/index.htm

Is that the same as this one?
http://www.arielatom.com/specs/atom-500-v8

Yeeeeehaaaaa! :clap:

so it looks like theyre changing the ambient light on the new design!

Wow, a 10,000 RPM V8. That's even higher than domestic pushrod V8's that scatter connecting rods at 5000! That's a V8 I could deal with.

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For me, I like the new design. I hate waiting. Tried to convince my wife to let me get one of these: www.arielatom.com to hold me over... Somehow that didn't fly... Gotta keep working on her!

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I'm pretty sure that's the car I saw last weekend driving to the bay area. I couldn't ID it at first but after seeing the pictures it looks like it. Pretty cool but maybe a little stretch for a DD.

Update on the off-topic ariel atom... Turns out that it is theoretically possible to have my fun and be an eco-freak too. Check out what these guys are using as a prototype chassis: http://www.wrightspeed.com/x1.html

Me want! :D